Calgary Flames to rest Miikka Kiprusoff more this season -NHL News Update
Miikka Kiprusoff, the Calgary Flames main goalie, is not as young as he once was when he began his career with the Canadian club during the 2003-2004 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, which has led the club to announce that they will be resting
the 35-year-old more often this time around.
The Turku, Finland native, has been playing in 70 plus games since his second year with the Calgary Flames, which certainly makes him one of the most active goalies throughout the North American major league, but at the same time, it catches on during the
final games of the season which are the most important.
According to the Calgary Flames management, in order to keep the veteran defender fresh throughout the season, they will need to play him in less than 70 regular season contests otherwise fatigue can become a factor later on as the season progresses.
"I'd like it to be under 70", Calgary Flames head coach, Brent Sutter, said. "A lot of it is going to depend on different circumstances, but we'd certainly like to stay to the course that we've set forth on”
Sutter also added that his backup will need to perform for at the least in 16 to 20 games since Kiprusoff will be out.
"As you get deeper into the season and deeper into the schedule, your record does impact certain things. If you can manage it right, you're looking at 16- to 20-game schedule that your backup is going to play", Sutter added.
When Kiprusoff was asked what he thinks about the Flames decision to keep him on the bench longer this season, he replied with a neutral answer.
"I'm fine with that", Kiprusoff said. "I know that's the plan here now and I believe it would be best for the team too”.
Calgary Flames are ready to turn around the season and become a playoff contending team after staying out of the postseason for the past two years straight. Their backup goalie, Henrik Karlsson will have to be ready to take on more challenges this time and
assume the position of Kiprusoff in the net.
Tags: