[Flashpoint]

One thing that springs to mind is what it was like when Kipper first came aboard the Flames. For about 10 years I had watched opposition forwards walk into Calgary's end, make a nice play and bury the puck behind our keeper. Most of the time you could make a pretty good argument it wasn't the goalie's fault - there were nice passes, nice moves, our D got outmanned - he didn't have much of a chance.

The first few games with Miikka Kiprusoff, I would watch the opposition gain our end, walk into the slot... and then be shocked when they didn't score on plays where they "should" have scored. It was a strange feeling. For the first time since Vernon was traded in 1994, the goalie was saving things he shouldn't have. The team was able to make mistakes and get away with them.

For the past few games I've watched Irving play and once again you get that sinking feeling on odd man rushes - Irving's mostly making the stops he should, with maybe 1 bad one a game, but seldom stops them with a "Holy cow, how did he get a handle on that!?" you sort have expected for the past 9 years.

But others have said it best - you can't compare 24 year old Irving to a HOF goalie. Nobody could carry that burden in today's NHL.

This Flames team isn't very good. Most people accept that. Irving is the recipient of some very bad play in front of him defensively, but thus far has posted a winning record. That says something.

What will be really interesting is what happens if he starts to get more comfortable back there, and starts stopping some of the pucks you would expect to get by him.

Either way - this stretch will likely make or break his career. Opportunities to play behind Kipper have been non-existent for a decade. Let's hope Irving makes the most of it.