FLAMES DISMISS SUGGESTION THAT KIPRUSOFF IS OVERWORKED, TIRED

Admin Posts : 218 Join date : 2009-02-08 Age : 45

At a mark of 40-17-5, Miikka Kiprusoff's record this season is nothing short of impressive.

But his recent numbers - 19 goals allowed in his last four games - have prompted speculation that the Finnish goalie is being overworked.

Kiprusoff is on pace to play 76 games; in contrast, when he led the Flames to the Stanley Cup final in 2004, he had only 38 starts during the regular season.

Kiprusoff was quick to dismiss the notion that his recent performance was the result of tiredness.

"I'm so used to playing a lot of games so it's not going to make any difference for me," Kiprusoff said.

Flames forward Curtis Glencross echoed that sentiment.

"He could play every game if he wanted," Glencross said. "He's one of those guys that works hard - you watch him in practice, he gets pretty competitive in practice too. You get your days off when you get your days off and Kipper's one of those guys who can battle through it."

Head coach Mike Keenan also downplayed the idea that Kiprusoff was fatigued but said the situation was being monitored.

"There's a number of goalies - Lundqvist in New York has played a lot of games, the kid in Carolina, (Cam) Ward has played a lot of games," said Keenan. "So we're watching his balance - he's had a lot of days off this season, Miikka, and we'll continue to watch his play very closely."

The Flames currently sit third in the Western Conference with 86 points

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