Life after Miikka Kiprusoff has been a goalie carousel for the Calgary Flames, but Wednesday night it paid off.
The Flames are once again in the midst of a disappointing season — not quite bad enough to launch into rebuilding mode, but not quite good enough to rise above the playoff bubble. It can be tough for Flames fans sometimes, especially since longtime face of the franchise Jarome Iginla has left Alberta for greener and more Stanley Cup-probable pastures. But after a ridiculous save in Wednesday’s tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a new name is on Calgary’s radar — that of rookie goalie Reto Berra.
Wednesday was just the 26-year-old Swiss netminder’s eighth game as an NHL goaltender, but when Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson collected the puck on the power play with a gaping net to shoot at, the rookie channeled his inner Dominik Hasek to go post-to-post, kick a pad into the air and deny Johnson’s attempt with an unbelievable bicycle kick save.
Unfortunately for Berra, he still plays for the Flames, who let Marcus Foligno rip a wrister from the high slot minutes later to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead. Columbus went on to win 2-1, but for Calgary fans, Berra’s save alone is something — anything — to be proud of.
Check out Berra’s bicycle kick save below.
