Goalie Jonas Hiller will start for the Calgary Flames in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Anaheim Ducks, Flames coach Bob Hartley said Monday.
Hiller started all six first-round games against the Vancouver Canucks. He had a 2.20 goals-against average and .931 save percentage but was pulled in Game 6 after allowing two goals on three shots. Karri Ramo, who also relieved Hiller in Game 2, allowed two goals on 19 shots to help the Flames to a series-clinching 7-4 victory.
But Hiller will receive the first chance to face the Ducks, who did not re-sign him after last season.
"It’s going to be special. You walk in there and everything seems so much more familiar than any other rink because I spent so much time there," said Hiller. "I think we’ve got something great going on here in Calgary and you want to keep that going. It’s the Anaheim Ducks, we can’t just say 'Well now we’re done.'
"I think everyone is well motivated and we’ve proven this season that we can beat them and we want to do it again in the playoffs."
Hiller went 26-19-4 with a 2.36 GAA and .918 save percentage in 52 games (44 starts) for the Flames in the regular season. In four games against the Ducks he went 1-2-0 with a 3.43 GAA and .889 save percentage.
"Look at the performance that Jonas gave us all year, but more importantly against the Kings and in the playoffs," said Hartley. "We have both guys ready to go, so there is no doubt I’m very comfortable with both goalies."
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