For much of the 2000s, the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks were perennial playoff contenders in the NHL’s Western Conference, with the Flames even making a surprise run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Though both teams were led by offensive stars such as Jarome Iginla (Calgary) and Joe Thornton (San Jose), each was also backstopped by an outstanding goalie in Miikka Kiprusoff and Evgeni Nabokov, respectively. The two European goalies were workhorses for much of the decade who often competed against each other, both in the NHL and on the international stage; throw in their overlapping careers and near parallel paths to stardom, and it is only a natural question to ask:
Who was better – Miikka Kiprusoff or Evgeni Nabokov?
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