Flames sign goalie Taylor after starter Kiprusoff suffers lower-body injury

CALGARY - The Calgary Flames signed goaltender Danny Taylor to a one-year, two-way contract Wednesday, a day after regular starter Miikka Kiprusoff suffered a lower-body injury in a 4-1 win over Detroit.

Kiprusoff, who left Tuesday's game after the second period, is listed as day to day.

"In the second period I felt some discomfort in the lower body area," Kiprusoff said in a team statement. "During the intermission, it was decided that I not return to play. I really believe that this is a short-term injury and over the next days, I'll work toward being ready as soon as possible."

Backup Leland Irving stopped all six shots he faced in the third period against the Red Wings. Calgary (2-3-2) is last in the Western Conference standings with six points.

Kiprusoff, who has played in all seven games this season, has an .870 save percentage and 3.24 goals-against average. He has played in more than 70 games in each of the past seven seasons for the Flames.

Taylor's deal is worth US$525,000. He has spent the last two seasons with the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Heat.

Taylor was second in the AHL this season with a .177 goals-against average and fourth overall with a .930 save percentage.

Taylor was originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round (No. 221 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He was expected to join the Flames in Columbus on Wednesday evening.