Flames put Kiprusoff, Backlund on IR

[Teagz]

The Calgary Flames have placed goaltender​

Miikka Kiprusoff

(lower body) and center​

Mikael Backlund

(MCL sprain)​

on injured reserve

.​

Kiprusoff, 36, was injured earlier this week in a win over the Detroit Red Wings — he tweaked what’s believed to be his knee after getting tangled with Johan Franzen.​

The veteran netminder was held out of Thursday’s game against Columbus and won’t play on Saturday when the Flames travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks.​

Reports suggest Kiprusoff could be back next week — the Flames have a three-game homestand starting Monday against Minnesota.​

The news on Backlund isn’t as bright. He’s out 4-6 weeks with the ligament sprain, a tough blow considering he’s been a productive member of the Flames’ forward group.​

In eight games, Backlund has scored 3G-1A-4PTS while averaging just over 13 minutes a night. He’s also chipped in with two points on the power play.​

In related moves, the Flames recalled center Ben Street from AHL Abbotsford and activated defensemanAnton Babchuk from IR.​

Street has been a solid scorer with the Heat this season — 12G-19A-31PTS in 44 games — and could make his NHL debut this weekend in Vancouver.​

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Losing Kipper is definitely a huge blow. Hopefully he is back next week. The Flames could be in a lottery pick position.

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

I am so thankful that I had signed Kipp and dropped him. He's had a horrible year thus far. I could have put him on my IR anyway though. Dropped him for Dubynk and my numbers have actually been up.