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Flames’ goalie Kiprusoff leaves game against Red Wings

Montreal Canadiens v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, CANADA - MARCH 6: Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames makes the save on Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens in first period NHL action on March 6, 2012 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images)

Mike Ridewood

The Calgary Flames defeated the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday, but that could come at a devastating price.

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff left the game after two periods, forcing 24-year-old Leland Irving into a relief appearance in just his first game action of the season.

The Flames went on to win 4-1, and Irving stopped all six shots he faced. Kiprusoff, 36, was involved in a collision with Johan Franzen late in the second period.

According to the Flames Twitter account, Kiprusoff will be “re-evaluated tomorrow.”

Kiprusoff has been a mainstay in the Flames net since the 2003-04 season, but specifically in the playoffs, when he backstopped Calgary to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kiprusoff has played a minimum of 70 games in each of the last seven seasons since the 2004-05 lockout and hasn’t posted fewer than 35 wins in each of those seasons.

The good news for the Flames was Jarome Iginla, 35, finally broke his goose egg in the goals column.

His first goal of the season gave Calgary a 1-0 lead early in the opening period.

Meanwhile, the Wings, struggling at 10th in the Western Conference with a 4-4-1 record, continue to be “a work in progress,” head coach Mike Babcock told the Calgary Herald.