2005 Calgary Flames Preview
Welcome to the 2005 Calgary Flames Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.
2005 Calgary Flames Hockey Season Preview
Miikka Kiprusoff was truly amazing in goal during 2003-04,
his first season with Calgary. His 1.69 GAA was best in the
league and he tied for first in save percentage with a .933
average. Kiprusoff played 38 games for the Flames that year,
16 more NHL contests than he’d ever appeared in before.
Calgary went to the Finals and lost to Tampa Bay in seven. The
score was 2-1 and Kiprusoff finished the second season with
15 wins in 26 playoff games, one win short of the 16 needed
to skate the ice with the Cup.
It will be tough for Kiprusoff to improve over his last NHL season; in order for the Flames to get back to the finals they’ll need more offense. Of the sixteen-playoff teams, they scored the fewest goals, giving their goalie the least support of any team headed to the playoffs.
Some great news in the scoring area is that the sensational
and amazingly consistent Jarome Iginla is back at right wing.
In the last 5 years he’s averaged 74 points a season with
the home team.
And there’s more good news for the Flames-- rookie sensation
Matthew Lombardi is in uniform for his second season. Lombardi,
who was injured in the second round of the 2003-04 playoffs,
spent the lockout recovering. He played 79 games in his initial
year, notching 29 points. Help should also come from 14-years
veteran Tony Amonte, who’ll be sporting a Flames’
jersey for the first time. Winger Amonte is as consistent a
player as anyone in the league scoring 50 or more points per
season over the last nine years while averaging 67 points season.
Additionally the dependable Robyn Regehr, who played 82 games on defense in 2003-04, will continue to be a stabilizing force on the ice and an exceptional mentor for rookie defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf who has played for Red Deer in the WHL for the past four years, has worked hard and seen his point totals more than triple during that time while he cut his penalty minutes from 170 to 73. Phaneuf is a talented kid who can learn.
Exceptional goaltending, a hallmark defense, and improved scoring-- this year the points may all add up and Calgary may take a hot streak right into the Finals.
