Irivng Earns Spot on Flames Roster

Going into training camp there was no clear backup goaltender for starter Miikka Kiprusoff.  Leland Irving knew he would have to battle with last years backup Henrik Karlsson.  Today all that hard work payed off for the 24-year-old as he was named to the Flames opening day roster.

Irving will serve as Kiprusoff's backup to start the season.

The opporuntiy has been long awaited for Irving, who's spent the past five seasons in the American Hockey League, playing in 182 games after the Flames drafted him at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

"It's awesome, no better feeling," Irving said of being named to the opening day roster.  "It's taken a lot of hard work and a few obstacles along the way but I couldn't be happier."

Irving has appeared in six games for the Flames' top affiliate in Abbotsford posting a 2-3-1-0 record 3.72 GAA and a .871 save percentage.  In fact was the Heat's third string goaltender behind Danny Taylor and Barry Brust.

With one final opportunity to show he was ready to be the number two man in Calgary, Irving posted a a shutout in a 40 minute exhibition and turned aside all five shots he faced in a shootout.

"We felt he was better," Flames head coach Bob Hartley said shortly after naming his backup.  "It was a battle but we felt from the first day to yesterday Leland was the clear winner.

Irving traveled between Abbotsford and Calgary frequently last season, seeing action from December onward.  During his six games with the Flames he psoted a 3.20 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

"I came out here, took every day very seriously.  I didn't want to waste a day, I tried to get better every day and I proved I can play at this level."

With just two days until the Flames hit the ice, much is left to be seen with regards to Irving's playing time.  Kiprusoff played 70 games last season.  With just 48 games this season, how much rest with Kipper really need?