Jonas Hiller, Upcoming Anaheim Ducks Game Haunting Him?

Nov 13, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller (1) takes to the ice during warmups against the Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Our Calgary Flames play the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday November 18th.  The Anaheim Ducks are where current Calgary Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller played his first 7 seasons in the NHL.  Is an upcoming game against his former team, even though it’s in his new home the Dome, one of the causes for Hiller’s recent struggles?

I think we all figured that this past October, Jonas Hiller was playing near the tippy-top of his game.  Since the calendar page turned to November, and the Anaheim Ducks logo now visibly appears on the page, Hiller’s play has been below average.

To clarify the word “average” for Mr. Hiller, his career goals against average is 2.50 and his career save percentage is .917.  So far in the month of November, Mr. Hiller has posted a 2.91 goals against average and a .893 save percentage.

I’m sure if you were to ask Jonas Hiller if the upcoming game against his former team was one of the reasons for his struggles you would hear one or both of the following clichés:

• It will feel weird to see familiar faces across the ice but once the puck drops friendships go by the wayside
• I enjoyed my time in Anaheim and am enjoying my time in Calgary, it’s just another game

I never have and I never will believe a pro athlete who declares not having any extra motivation to bring their “A” game against the team that let him walk away.  Anybody remember this quote from the Calgary Sun when Hiller was asked about his former coach Bruce Boudreau:

"“I wasn’t, in his eyes, the go-to guy and I think that’s a tough part of being a goaltender, there’s just one guy on the ice, and if the coach isn’t rooting for you or doesn’t have your back, it’s tough to play at your best.”"

If Ramo has an impressive game this Saturday versus Ottawa, Coach Hartley may stay with Ramo therefore keeping Jonas Hiller out of the crease.  IF any of Hiller’s recent struggles are attributed to the psychological issues of dealing with his former team coming to town, then I recommend Coach Hartley stay with Ramo.

Maybe once this Tuesday’s game has come and gone, Hiller can find a better place and return to his average (if not the spectacular October version of himself). With our Calgary Flames travelling to Anaheim for a November 25th game, Mr. Hiller needs to get use to playing his former team sooner than later.