| rdfs:comment | - The off-season following the lockout provided ominous news for the hockey starved city of Calgary as GM Darryl Sutter announced he would not re-sign free-agent Martin Gelinas, the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs clutch performer, for the 2005–06 NHL season. Instead Sutter brought in three ageing veterans, Bryan Marchment, Tony Amonte and Darren McCarty, as free-agent reclamation projects to start the season. Nonetheless, the season began with high expectations following their surprising run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. __TOC__
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| abstract | - The off-season following the lockout provided ominous news for the hockey starved city of Calgary as GM Darryl Sutter announced he would not re-sign free-agent Martin Gelinas, the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs clutch performer, for the 2005–06 NHL season. Instead Sutter brought in three ageing veterans, Bryan Marchment, Tony Amonte and Darren McCarty, as free-agent reclamation projects to start the season. Nonetheless, the season began with high expectations following their surprising run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. The season opened with a disappointing October, as the Flames started 4–7–2 before an eight game November winning streak propelled Calgary back into contention in the National Hockey League's Northwest Division. The Flames would battle the Colorado Avalanche down the stretch, ultimately finishing eight points ahead of both Colorado and the Edmonton Oilers to capture the team's sixth division crown in franchise history. However, the playoffs proved the team was missing the "killer instinct" necessary for playoff success, as they fell in the first round to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games. Star goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff proved that 2003–04 was no fluke, leading the NHL in shutouts and goals against average while setting a franchise record for wins with 42. Kiprusoff's exploits would win him the Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy, along with being named a first team all-star. Kiprusoff was also a finalist for the Hart Trophy. Rookie phenom Dion Phaneuf earned a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy after his 20 goal campaign set a franchise record for goals by a rookie defenceman, and fell just three shy of Brian Leetch's league record of 23, set in 1988–89. The Flames sold out all 45 home games in 2005–06 as 19,289 fans packed the Pengrowth Saddledome for every regular season and playoff game played in Calgary. At the 2006 Winter Olympics, three Flames players represented their countries. Jarome Iginla and Robyn Regehr both represented Canada, while Jordan Leopold represented the United States. Miikka Kiprusoff was also named to the Finnish team, however declined to go citing an injury. __TOC__
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