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Miikka Kiprusoff News & Rumors

Kipper beats Sharks for 300th win
February 9
Calgary Herald
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff arrived at his former place of employment Wednesday night in search of his 300th career National Hockey League win. The Finnish goalie hit the milestone in style with a 4-3 victory over his old club, the San Jose Sharks. With the third period winding down, and Kiprusoff flat on his face, Joe Pavelski unleashed a shot that dribbled over the goaltender's back. Kiprusoff instinctively slammed his pads together to keep the puck out and preserve the win."
Can't rely on Kiprusoff forever
February 8
Calgary Sun
 
"Leland Irving's next action with the Calgary Flames is first and foremost about the club's quest to make the NHL playoffs. The Flames have to expect to win games, even when they have a backup goalie between the pipes and not standout Miikka Kiprusoff. However, the next time Irving, the 2006 first-round draft choice, goes between the pipes for the Flames, it will be a major test of his bounce-back abilities. Irving's last NHL outing was the infamous 9-0 loss to the Boston Bruins back on Jan. 5, during which the rookie goalkeeper surrendered six goals in 26 minutes before being hooked."
Magical Miikka closes in on NHL career win No. 300
February 6
Calgary Herald
 
"It is, says Alex Tanguay, no different than having a nightly front-row seat at a wonderful show; a long-running crowd-pleaser that has, against all odds, somehow never lost the sense of freshness that made it so special as far back as opening night. "Mentally, look at his demeanour,'' marvelled the silky-slick left winger Sunday morning. "If he lets in a goal, if he makes a save, it's the same attitude. Goes back to his net, lifts his bucket, grabs a drink, and (says), 'Here we go. Lets get ready for the next shot.' For any athlete, especially goalies, that's a great attitude to have.'' Tonight, the magnificent Miikka Kiprusoff goes in search of NHL win No. 300 at the palm-tree lined Honda"
Just call Calgary's saviour meal-ticket Miikka
January 31
Calgary Herald
 
"No Peter Pan's Magic Flight. Or the spinning tea cups. Or, gawd forbid, the Magic Tiki Room or It's A Small World. Sorry, but they're all far too tame, infinitely too lame, for someone as accustomed to the heart-stopping, the goosebump-inducing, as Miikka Kiprusoff. A Pavel Datsyuk breakaway shake-'n'-bake can't frighten him. A Corey Perry crease-crash isn't enough to set his pulse racing."
Kiprusoff getting close to 300th victory
January 25
Calgary Sun
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff is creeping up on a couple of milestones. The Calgary Flames backstop needs two more wins to reach 300 — a feat only 26 NHL goaltenders before him have accomplished. Former San Jose Sharks teammate Evgeni Nabokov reached that plateau earlier in the year, but what's most impressive in Kiprusoff's case is he's had seven seasons as a starter to do it and hasn't had a whole lot of help in the scoring department from the perennially offensively-challenged Flames."
CALGARY 2, KINGS 1 (SO): Kiprusoff gets best of Quick in goalie duel
January 20
L.A. Daily News
 
"A contest between two brothers behind the bench had its storyline stolen by the two men between the pipes Thursday at Staples Center, as the Calgary Flames beat the Kings 2-1 in a shootout. Jonathan Quick stopped 24 of 25 shots only to fall to Miikka Kiprusoff, who turned aside 31 of 32. Former Kings forward Mike Cammalleri beat Quick for the shootout winner. "The goalies were great, I guess you expect that when you look at their stats this year," Calgary captain Jarome Iginla said."
Flames edge Kings in shootout
January 20
Calgary Sun
 
"The rematch carried much less hype. Darryl Sutter wasn't backed against a wall and answering questions for dozens of Calgary based reporters. In fact, the Los Angeles Kings coach wasn't at the Staples Center at all until just before the game — the Kings hold their morning skates at the Toyota Center in El Segundo. Brother Brent of the Calgary Flames, meanwhile, answered questions about the return of Matt Stajan, the idea of possibly playing seven defencemen for a second straight game, and the Taylor Hall incident."
Flames double Devils thanks to dandy dose of Kipper
January 11
Calgary Herald
 
"The theme, it seemed, was going to be goalies. No matter what. Yes, the Calgary Flames chased Martin Brodeur, a surefire Hall of Famer, in the first period. Yes, the Flames also burned his replacement, Johan Hedberg. Yet despite all that easy gravy, it was the locals' own man, Miikka Kiprusoff, who needed to stand tall."
Flames' offence fails Kiprusoff in Nashville defeat
December 14
Calgary Herald
 
"Brent Sutter, on the visitors' bench, was leaning over to address one of his lines. When the Calgary Flames coach stood back up, he couldn't believe what he saw on the ice. For the neutral-zone draw, defenceman Scott Hannan had cozied up to the left-wing position and forward Brendan Morrison had assumed a spot way back on defence. But before Sutter could bark, the puck skittered wide to Nashville Predators rookie Craig Smith and Morrison, all alone, was forced to haul him down. Penalty. Thirty seconds later, the Preds, one of the hottest power-play crews in the NHL, converted — Colin Wilson breaking the third-period deadlock with the winning goal."
Nothing gets by Kiprusoff
November 30
Calgary Sun
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff's goose-egg finally cracked the goose-egg on his stats line. During a season he's been outstanding in seemingly every win, Kiprusoff finally netted his first shutout of the season in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Nashville Predators. "That's what I try to do every game," he stated with his deadpan delivery. Kiprusoff won a goaltenders duel over countryman Pekka Rinne by stopping 26 shots, which seemed to come in flurries. Although Rinne had more action in a 28-save outing, Kiprusoff did come up with some dandy stops, especially when the Predators had a late powerplay. "I think we played pretty smart. We played with the patience you need against that team and it worked out,""
Kipper still holds net value
November 14
Calgary Sun
 
"You won't find Miikka Kiprusoff on the NHL's top-10 list for goals-against average. Nor is the Calgary Flames netminder in such select company for save percentage or shutouts. He is among the leaders in wins but part of a big logjam of those with seven. It doesn't matter to the Flames. Not the way Kiprusoff has been a difference maker this season. "In our minds, he's the best goalie in the league — that's how we feel about him," said Flames centre Olli Jokinen after the clbu's Saturday night 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. Certainly those teams who have benefited and enjoyed the performances of Nikolai Khabibulin, Kari Lehtonen, Jimmy Howard, Josh Harding, Marc-Andre Fleury"
Kipper shines as Flames beat Avs in Denver
November 7
Calgary Sun
 
"The groans began less than a minute into the game. More followed frequently, from the Calgary Flames management staff sitting up in the press box and, no doubt, from those viewers watching from home. Turnovers and poor decisions aplenty, the Flames still somehow found a way to pull off a victory despite the fact they often weren't the best team on the ice Sunday night at the Pepsi Center. Thanks in large part to goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who was terrific when needed most as the young Colorado Avalanche forwards poured on the pressure, the Flames overcame an early deficit to beat the Avs 2-1 and improve their record to 6-6-1 on the season. With wins over the Detroit Red Wings and now the"
Kipper's heroics saved Flames
October 20
Calgary Herald
 
"Goalie coach Clint Malarchuk, new to the drill hereabouts, sidled over a loitering media munchkin to belatedly pump the tires for his guy. "Pretty high standards for the goalies in this town, huh?'' he quasi-joked. "Maybe a bit spoiled, do you think?" A puzzled tilt of the head."I mean, c'mon. Not even a star?'' Nope. Not officially. But in that third period, when the whole house of cards seemed destined for collapse, Miikka Kiprusoff could've been all three."
Credit Flames win to Kiprusoff
October 19
Calgary Sun
 
"Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay did the scoring, but credit Miikka Kiprusoff for that victory. A concerning lack of discipline was only negated by the Calgary Flames goaltender's strong performance while his team was shorthanded, allowing them to come back from a 1-0 deficit with a pair of late goals to pull off a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night. "We probably didn't do the best job staying out of the box," said Bouwmeester. "If you're going to be a good penalty killer, your goalie has to be your best player. That was kind of the book on these guys, they do have a good powerplay ... You know that (Kiprusoff's) going to be there, he's always going to make those saves,"
Kiprusoff sets franchise record as Flames' winningest goaltender
October 14
Calgary Herald
 
"In his native Finland, Miikka Kiprusoff is a reclusive sort shrouded in secrecy. "They probably think of him as a myth," says countryman Niklas Hagman. "He doesn't give too many interviews back home." They'll be calling for interviews today after Kiprusoff eclipsed Mike Vernon Thursday for the most wins in Calgary Flames history (263) with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. In poetic fashion, Kiprusoff turned away 35 shots to break the goose-egg in the standings for the Flames. Steady and square to the puck, the soft-spoken netminder proved perfect — minus an unlucky bounce off the end boards that wound up on the stick of Andrei Kostitsyn."
Kiprusoff makes Flames history to ruin Habs' home opener
October 14
Calgary Herald
 
"In his native Finland, Miikka Kiprusoff is a reclusive sort shrouded in secrecy. "They probably think of him as a myth," says countryman Niklas Hagman. "He doesn't give too many interviews back home." They'll be calling for interviews Friday after Kiprusoff eclipsed Mike Vernon Thursday for the most wins in Calgary Flames history (263) with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens."
Flames' Kiprusoff rollin' with it
October 13
Calgary Sun
 
"Yes, Game 2 is officially the earliest Miikka Kiprusoff has been on the bench serving as backup since he became a Calgary Flame. It's not the earliest by as big of a margin as you'd think. Oh sure, the belief about Kiprusoff is he starts every game until we all begin to wear poppies in honour of lives lost in past wars, which has often been the case. Back in 2007-08, the Flames netminder was an absolute workhorse with Mike Keenan at the helm, starting the first 23 games before Curtis McElhinney stepped into the breach. But a couple of seasons ago, Kiprusoff took a breather after playing the first four games, and he played the first six games last season before Henrik Karlsson was given his"
Kiprusoff copes with Banff misadventures
October 6
Calgary Sun
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff experienced the great outdoors during the Calgary Flames sojourn to Banff. As harrowing as it was at times, he wants to go back. On Monday, the Flames goaltender had his ear clipped by Brendan Morrisons hook while they were out fly fishing. On Tuesday, a Raitis Ivanans shot hit him flush in the mask, sending his face guard crashing to the ice. Interesting last couple of days, for sure, Kiprusoff said. Good thing the team returned Wednesday to Calgary. Who knows what would have happened next? At least the Finnish goalie was able to laugh things off first the fishing incident, during which Morrison also hooked Jarome Iginla."
Stats show Kipper top goalie in team history
April 5
Calgary Sun
 
"There aren't many who would argue against the idea Miikka Kiprusoff is the greatest goalie ever to slide a Calgary Flames jersey over his upper-body armour. But in case you're one of those people who need statistics to sway your opinion, these final two games of the NHL regular-season provide just the opportunity for the 34-year-old backstop to convince you. Kiprusoff's next victory will be his 262nd as a Flame, putting him side by side with Mike Vernon on the franchise's all-time-wins list. If he starts and wins both games this week, the flexible Finn will own that honour solo after just six-and-a-half seasons of work. And what a workload he's had during his tenure in the Stampede City."
All eyes on Flames' Kiprusoff
March 30
Calgary Sun
 
"Apparently not anxious to chat with the media, Miikka Kiprusoff told team officials he'd be busy stretching and then snuck out a side door after Tuesday's skate at the Westside Recreation Centre. The Calgary Flames can't afford for their acrobatic netminder to make another hasty exit during Wednesday's crucial showdown with the Anaheim Ducks at the Saddledome. In the most recent meeting between the two teams, Kiprusoff was hooked after surrendering three goals on five shots in less than six minutes of action. He watched from the bench as the Flames battled back to claim a single point in a 5-4 overtime loss. "It wasn't a result of how (Kiprusoff) was playing," insisted Flames defenceman"
Operation Ironman: Flames will lean on their workhorse again
March 6
Calgary Herald
 
"Look for Miikka Kiprusoff to start tonight in goal for the Calgary Flames in a crucial Western Conference matchup against the Nashville Predators. Yes, this is a recording. "Nothing's going to change," head coach Brent Sutter pronounced Saturday. "We're in a mode of playoff hockey obviously. We're riding our No. 1 guy." Much like the other teams in this wild Western playoff race, the Flames are indeed riding their No. 1 guy. Hard. To wit: the 34-year-old Kiprusoff is poised to make his 20th consecutive start against the Preds. Yes, this is the same guy written on off as old, tired and possibly on his way out of Calgary just two short months back in the middle of January. One national"
Flames stickin' with Kipper
March 6
Calgary Sun
 
"By the time his current string of starts comes to an end, he'll have played more than a quarter of a season. Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has suited up for 19 straight games for the Calgary Flames. And No. 20 is coming Sunday. Head coach Brent Sutter hasn't even resorted to the old secrecy when naming a starter these days. He's serving up Kiprusoff, followed by more Kiprusoff, with some Kiprusoff on the side. "Nothing's going to change. We're in a mode of playoff hockey, obviously," Sutter said Saturday after practice at the Saddledome. "We're riding our No.-1 guy." They hope that ride helps land them in the playoffs. Kiprusoff is not going to start every game until then, but there's no"
Kiprusoff finds clothes make the goalie in Heritage Classic shutout
February 21
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After becoming the first goalie in NHL outdoor game history to post a shutout, Miikka Kiprusoff stood in the Calgary Flames' dressing room next to a pile to discarded clothes. He made 39 saves in the Flames' 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens; but one of his best decisions was made back in the dressing room. Game-time temperatures in the Heritage Classic started at minus-8.6 degrees Celsius and continued to plummet. The fanfare of the Classic's opening moments in McMahon Stadium left the goalie standing there in the cold. After the Habs managed only eight shots in the period, he began to feel its effects. "It was a little bit standing around, and I didn't face many shots," he said. "The"
Kiprusoff authors a classic with huge shutout
February 21
Calgary Herald
 
"Carey Price may have been the goalie this winter-wonderland weekend to first conjure up the memory of Jacques Plante, what with that new mask freshly painted for the occasion. Miikka Kiprusoff, though, was the one that left you imagining what the legendary Jake The Snake might've been like to watch between the pipes. "I felt OK,'' said Kiprusoff, emerging magically from behind a curtain to face the ritualistic post-game interrogation. "It was fun. "Something different.'' Something different. Same old Kiprusoff. "Nothing fazes him, as everyone knows,'' said defenceman Mark Giordano as the Calgary Flames bundled gear together to vacate the Stampeders locker-room on Sunday evening. "You go"
Kipper nets milestone win
February 16
Calgary Sun
 
"n the aftermath of Monday's 9-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was relaxed and happy. He basically had a night off, yet still recorded a victory. And it was a milestone victory. The triumph, easy as it ended up, was his 250th as a member of the Flames. That stat came as a surprise to him. "Awesome," Kiprusoff said with a big smile. Kiprusoff is chasing Mike Vernon for the franchise record of 262 NHL victories this season. When the Flames play host to the Dallas Stars Wednesday night at the Saddledome, watch for Kiprusoff to start his 12th straight game. A week ago, when explaining why Kiprusoff would start against the struggling Ottawa Senators,"
Flames leaning on workhorse Kipper of old
February 16
Calgary Herald
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff is ready to be the Calgary Flames' workhorse down the stretch drive for a National Hockey League playoff spot, but he's also going to take time off when he feels like he needs it. Coach Brent Sutter recently said the team would stick with the Kipper as long as he felt chipper. Well, there's been no signs of fatigue after 11 straight starts for the Finnish redhead, who is expected to start again on Wednesday night when the Dallas Stars come calling (7:30 p.m.). But there's another 22 games left to play in one of the most ridiculously tight Western Conference playoff races in recent memory. "I talk about it a little bit with Brent," confessed Kiprusoff after posting career"
Finnish workhorse all set for milestone start
January 26
Calgary Herald
 
"Although they say their focus is strictly on looking after their own business in this determined push for a playoff spot, the streaking Calgary Flames might want to win one for the Kipper tonight. When the St. Louis Blues come marching into the Scotiabank Saddledome for an 8 p.m. faceoff, Miikka Kiprusoff will stand ready for the challenge in what will be his 500th game in the National Hockey League. In this day and age, it is a milestone of considerable sorts. Especially when you consider the workload he has shouldered since arriving in Calgary during the magical Stanley Cup run of 2003-2004. After being lightly used by the San Jose Sharks, there were 38 games that first season and a"
Kiprusoff 'just needs a little boost'
January 24
Calgary Sun
 
"Like a boxer who had to battle through a couple of standing eight counts and persevered for a win, Miikka Kiprusoff took a step forward with his game in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over Vancouver. Now, he must build on it. The struggles experienced the past few weeks by the Calgary Flames netminder have been front and centre of late. The calling out by head coach Brent Sutter after being hooked in Carolina. Another tough outing which meant going to the bench in favour of Henrik Karlsson in Montreal, and then the jeering from the Flames faithful in a 6-0 home loss to Minnesota last week. There was relief when he delivered a 41-save performance through overtime and denied two of three"
Players unhappy with jeers at Kipper
January 21
Calgary Herald
 
"The Calgary Flames didn't appreciate the noise at the end of the night. And at least one of them, Alex Tanguay, wasn't so hot about the stuff at the start, either - the eerie silence of the Scotiabank Saddledome. "Our fans have been good but (Wednesday) from the drop of the puck, I've never seen a building so dead here in Calgary," said Alex Tanguay. "I've never played in a building where there was so little atmosphere. "(Tonight against the Dallas Stars) we have to give them something to cheer about early, get them behind us." Most jarring Wednesday had been the mock-cheers aimed at starting goalie Miikka Kiprusoff near the end of the 6-0 blow-out by the Minnesota Wild. There were"
Will it be Kipper or Karlsson?
January 21
Calgary Herald
 columnist George Johnson
"The ebb and flow of the encroaching mob, the thicket of cameras, microphones and bodies three feet or so to the left was providing a screen that not even the Calgary Tower could see around. "Kipper?'' queried Henrik Karlsson, all 6-foot-5 of him, craning his neck in a futile attempt to catch as much as a fleeting glimpse of Miikka Kiprusoff, lost in interrogation. It was as if Dustin Byfuglien and Zdeno Chara had both set up shop in the rangy Swede's grill. Karlsson, peeling off layers of gear, shrugged, abandoning the search. "The first time I saw him play? I'd say in Sweden. When he was with AIK. Probably 12 years ago. Of course I've watched him a long time. He's been a top goalie a long"
Kipper-soft trend now
January 21
Calgary Sun
 
"Long before his was the first name called as part of the starting lineup introductions, it was obvious all eyes would be on Miikka Kiprusoff last night. However, just six minutes in, all eyes quickly shifted to the Flames bench, looking to see if Henrik Karlsson would be summoned to try cleaning up Kipper's mess for the third time in eight days. Yes, it was another bad start by the struggling veteran, leading to yet another Flames loss. For those keeping score at home that's his third poor start in his last four outings, ending in another defeat. The fact that he wasn't pulled doesn't mean he's making any progress."
Kipper a mere mortal
January 21
Calgary Sun
 
"Of all the categories Miikka Kiprusoff has managed to lead the NHL in over the years, the most impressive is his ability to quite literally mask his emotions. Unfazed by the most heartbreaking of goals, the Flames netminder has always responded with a trademark flip of the mask, casual swig of water and blank stare as if trying to recall the missing item on a grocery list. Not yesterday. On the heels of a 6-0 loss to Minnesota, punctuated by the ol' Bronx cheer for a late save made by the struggling netminder, Kiprusoff appeared somewhat overwhelmed by an altogether unfamiliar line of questioning after practice. Eyes darting downward, unable to connect with his inquisitors for more than a"
Kiprusoff struggles at home
January 20
Calgary Sun
 
"For so many years, the Calgary Flames faithful have serenaded Miikka Kiprusoff with cheers. The adulation was so often warranted. Late in Wednesday night's 6-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild, though, the cheers were mocking the struggling goalie. Yep, a Bronx Cheer rang out from those still in the Saddledome when Kiprusoff stopped a puck which came all the way from the Minnesota zone -- so far away, it wasn't even officially recorded as a shot on goal. "It's not fun, of course, but the way I played tonight, they have the right to do that," Kiprusoff said. "It's not a good feeling, but if I play better, they're cheering for some other reason for me." Fact is, the fans who had to sit through"
Flames GM backs Kipper
January 19
Calgary Sun
 
"Jay Feaster has watched a franchise goalie leave town. The Calgary Flames acting GM isn't rushing to relive the experience. The struggles of goalie Miikka Kiprusoff over the past couple of weeks, including twice being hooked in his last three starts, has created debate whether the Flames should trade away their No.-1 netminder and rebuild for the future, but Feaster has a strong reaction to that idea. "I've lived in the desert because of never replacing an elite, world-class goaltender," Feaster said Tuesday. Go back to the post-lockout Tampa Bay Lightning a year after winning the 2004 Stanley Cup, and then-Bolts GM Feaster tried to re-sign Nikolai Khabibulin. The Lightning had no chance"
Flames confident Kipper will rebound
January 18
Calgary Herald
 
"It's a rare night indeed when Miikka Kiprusoff declines interview requests after a hockey game. But with the man himself unavailable to chat, the Calgary Flames took turns accepting the blame Monday for the four goals that eluded their No. 1 netminder in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. "Without him, it could have been 6-0 or 7-0," said centre Olli Jokinen. "We all should be a little bit embarrassed about the way we played in front of him at the beginning of the game -- giving up breakaways and odd-man rushes. "He's our best player most of the nights. "We have to do a better job in front of him." Head coach Brent Sutter invoked the hook on Kiprusoff for the second time in"
Giguère, Kiprusoff struggling to stay relevant
January 17
The Globe and Mail
 
"It really wasn't all that long ago that Miikka Kiprusoff and Jean-Sébastien Giguère were considered two of the best goaltenders in the world. And they still have the contracts to prove it. Kiprusoff, the 34-year-old Calgary Flames backstop, is in only the third year of a six-year, $35-million (U.S.) deal he signed in 2008, two years removed from winning the Vézina Trophy. Giguère isn't so lucky, playing out the final year of a contract that came after he led the Anaheim Ducks to the 2007 Stanley Cup and wondering just where his next NHL opportunity will come. Because it doesn't appear to be with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both are earning $7-million this season, putting them tied for third"
Former Leaf, rekindled goalie lead Calgary past Toronto
January 16
Calgary Herald
 
"This one was for Matt Stajan. Consider the odds, In 56 games (dating back to last season), Stajan only had two goals to his name. Therefore, fans had no reason to expect the faltering forward to convert in his hometown. The Calgary Flames centre, clearly keyed up over his first game in Toronto as a member of the enemy, actually scored in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Seriously, he did. "I don't even know how to explain it," a relaxed Stajan said from his perch in the locker-room. "It felt really good. To say it was just another goal, another win - that would be lying, for sure." The goal wasn't a beauty by any means. In a wild scramble, the former Leaf swatted the"
'Trying' times for Flames' Kiprusoff
January 13
Calgary Sun
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff is a victim of his own success. After all, his recent struggles wouldn't be front-page news if not for Kiprusoff's seemingly superhuman performances for the bulk of his tenure with the Calgary Flames. "This is just so new to all of us — watching Kiprusoff finally look normal and go through stretches where he's not the best player on the ice in most games," said Kelly Hrudey, who tended twine in the NHL for 15 seasons and is now an analyst for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada telecasts. "And it's probably pretty new for him, because I can't imagine the last time he can remember thinking this way. Right now, whether it's three or four games, he's the weak link. It's hard to"
Uh oh, KipruSOFT?
January 13
Calgary Sun
 
"It's not often a Vezina Trophy-winning netminder finds himself subject to teasing. Even more so when that mocking comes from his own city. But some of the goals getting past Miikka Kiprusoff lately have been laughable. A joke making its way around Calgary these days is the 34-year-old Flames goaltender should legally add a 't' to the end of his name. Yes, the goals have been that soft. Say what you want about unfortunate deflections, screens and a lack of strong defence in front of him, Kiprusoff isn't stealing points for his team the way he has in the past. He's costing them some. Flames head coach Brent Sutter is holding his star goaltender accountable, and there's a good chance backup"
Flames coach losing patience with Kiprusoff after shootout loss to Hurricanes
January 12
Calgary Herald
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff has failed to play well in three straight starts. All, not surprisingly, turned into losses. And the Calgary Flames coach is losing his patience. Against the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings last week, Brent Sutter had allowed his star goalie the luxury of playing through his troubles. But Tuesday? Kiprusoff got the hook after permitting four goals on eight shots. The coach admitted that goaltending is a legitimate concern. "Absolutely," Sutter, fuming, said after the 6-5 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in National Hockey League action at the RBC Center. "Hey, he's accountable like everybody else. He's battling it right now . . . he's got to work"
Brent Sutter: "I wasn't happy with the last two goals we got scored against us."
January 6
Calgary Herald
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff is rarely called out for shaky play with the Calgary Flames. But head coach Brent Sutter made mention of his goaltenders mistakes Wednesday after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The first goal, just 70 seconds in, could hardly be blamed on Kiprusoff. A neutral zone turnover – and subsequent failure to pick up Ryan Kesler – led to the Selke nominee scoring before many in the crowd even found their seats. But the goals by Kevin Bieksa and Daniel Sedin? Not acceptable."
Kiprusoff stands tall but Crosby, Pens overpower Flames
November 28
Calgary Herald
 
"On a sleepy Saturday afternoon, Miikka Kiprusoff gave the Calgary Flames every opportunity to steal two points in front of 18,317 stunned witnesses. If successful, the soft-spoken Finn would have pulled off a heist worthy of Butch Cassidy, the James Brothers and the Sundance Kid .Too bad his teammates failed to play along with the attempted robbery at the palatial Consol Energy Center. So much for Steal City. In spite of the miraculous work of their goaltender, the Flames fell 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins solidify their hold of 14th place in the Western Conference. Talk about a sluggish performance for the visitors – except for Kiprusoff, of course. The Calgary goaltender simply dazzled,"
Stopping Sid the Kid takes skill
November 28
Calgary Sun
 
"At least Miikka Kiprusoff came out on top during one head-to-head battle with Sidney Crosby. You bet the Calgary Flames netminder takes a bit of pride in that. After all, stopping Sid the Kid on the early penalty shot in Saturday's 4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins victory over the Flames was no small feat. "He made some fakes and I was able to put my glove there," Kiprusoff said. "Pretty skilled guy, so it feels good to stop him." Unfortunately for the Flames, that was about the only time Crosby was held in check. The Olympic gold-medal overtime hero had his way with the Flames in their only meeting of the season and first-ever visit to the Consol Energy Center. Crosby scored three times -- at even"
Flame have belief in the thief
November 27
Calgary Sun
 
"It's not that Miikka Kiprusoff has been wearing goat horns and losing games for the Calgary Flames. What Kiprusoff hasn't been doing of late, though, is winning games. Yes, that's obvious by the fact the Flames went into Friday afternoon's clash with the Philadelphia Flyers with just two victories in their last dozen outings. But we're not just talking about those ordinary wins Kiprusoff and every other NHL-calibre goalie can come up with over the course of a season. We're talking about those victories which come with a bit of larceny. You know the type."
Kiprusoff needs to play like Superman
November 16
Calgary Sun
 
"As anniversaries go, Nov. 16 is a major date in Calgary Flames history. It was on that day in 2003 when one move played a major part in finally turning the team's fortunes. While the flickering Flames were coming off a seventh straight season without making the playoffs and appeared destined for the same fate again with their 7-8-2 record, GM Darryl Sutter acquired goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round draft choice. We all remember what happened after that. Kiprusoff was the backbone of a team which ended the playoff drought, while setting a modern-day goals-against average record, and then helped carry the team to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final over an"
Kipper clamps down, but Flames can't match Red Wings
November 4
Calgary Herald
 
"A solemn Matt Stajan stood in front of his locker Wednesday night and shouldered much of the blame for a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. "The first goal was just a mental error by myself," the Calgary Flames centre said, staring at the rug. "I jumped in when our defence pinched, and I should have pulled out. "I gave them a two-on-one because of it, and they capitalized. I'm not going to hide from the fact that I made a mistake like that." Stajan's mistake led to a goal by 40-year-old Mike Modano. Dancing in on a two-on-one, Modano opted to shoot instead of pass. The savvy veteran snapped it right under Miikka Kiprusoff's arm for his second of the season at 1:54 of the second period. A"
Kipper says he didn't run from Caps
November 2
Calgary Herald
 
"To set the record straight, Miikka Kiprusoff let it be known again Monday that he did not pull himself in the second period of Saturday's 7-2 blowout loss to the Washington Capitals. From high above the ice in the press box, it looked like the Calgary Flames goaltender bolted straight for the bench on his own accord after Alex Semin scored the sixth Washington goal. Not so, according to the man himself. "No, I never do that," Kiprusoff said. "You don't want to do that there." Most people in the Saddledome - including Kiprusoff himself - figured Henrik Karlsson would man the net the rest of the way for the Flames in a game that was clearly out of reach. But head coach Brent Sutter tapped"
Kipper keeps 'em in it
October 20
Calgary Sun
 
"Miikka Kiprusoff has the distinction of having surrendered what may be the goal of the year already this season. The Calgary Flames netminder may also have the title of having made the save of the year. Late in the second period of Tuesday's 1-0 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators, Kiprusoff committed larceny against Martin Erat. The Predators sniper figured he was about to bat home a rebound chance into a wide-open net on the powerplay to break open the scoreless affair, only to see Kiprusoff kick out his right leg in time to make a highlight-reel stop. "I was on the bench and saw it. It was unbelievable," said Flames forward Brendan Morrison, who was on the opposite side of"
Counting on Kipper: Flames praise all-world goalie
October 13
Calgary Herald
 
"Good thing Aaro Kiprusoff is in kindergarten, so he can't yet decipher the meaning of this article. Because truth be told, Daddy takes his boy's feelings into account during sock hockey games at Chez Kiprusoff. All those goals through the five hole? Well, they're not entirely attributed to the shooting prowess of young Aaro. "We've been playing a little bit in the house", Miikka Kiprusoff says from his perch in the Calgary Flames dressing room. "If I let him score, it seems like he's pretty happy about it." Pretty happy? Try elated. After all, Dad just happens to be a world-class goaltender tasked with carrying the battered and bruised Flames through an injury-plagued October. No team can"