appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chant

CALGARY, Alberta -- Brian Elliott was eager to get back in the rink on a hot summer day. After years of fending off challengers in St. Louis, the goalie has big expectations entering next season as the unquestioned No. 1 in Calgary.This is a big one for me, so Im really looking forward to it, Elliott said when introduced to the media on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Sometimes you want that extra bit of summer to relax and enjoy your downtime, but now Ive gotten really excited to get the pads back on and ready to get back at it.The?Flames?acquired the 31-year-old Elliott from the?Blues?on the night of the NHL draft for a second-round pick. Elliott and his wife, Amanda, were on vacation in Croatia at the time.When I got the news, it was 2 oclock in the morning and I saw my phone lighting up, Elliott said. I didnt go back to sleep after that, I was so excited.Elliott has the second-highest save percentage in the league among goalies who have played at least 50 games over the past five seasons at .925, just behind New Jerseys Cory Schneider (.926).Yet as well as he performed over that five-year period in St. Louis, he never seemed to fully gain the trust of the coaching staff that kept trying other options. He gave way to Jaroslav Halak in one postseason, and?Ryan Miller was brought in to be the guy in another. Two years ago, the Blues turned to Jake Allen in the playoffs.To have that good of numbers and not get the opportunity to be the No. 1 guy, sometimes its frustrating, Elliott said. But Ive always believed if you worked hard, put your head down and plowed through it, opportunities will pop up for you.Last year, the Flames trio of Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio collectively ranked last in the NHL in goaltending.Calgary will turn to two new goalies, as veteran backup Chad Johnson?also was signed as a free agent.Elliott was selected by 291st overall by Ottawa in the 2003 draft. He has played 323 career games (165-99-32) with the?Senators,?Colorado Avalanche?and?Blues.He said hes ready for this next chapter.Its talked about a lot with goaltenders. It just takes longer to develop. You have to go through those experiences just to be able to be that consistent player and not really feel the ups and downs and the roller coaster of a season, he said. Just stay calm. Trust your game, trust your work and just go out and play. It takes time to learn that.Calgary general manager Brad Treliving said that while Elliotts on-ice performance was important, the Flames also really liked the fit off the ice.The numbers speak for themselves, but a big part of us going out and getting Brian is also the person, Treliving said. We talked to players that played with him, teammates that have had him, coaches that have coached him. The work ethic, the type of person that he is in the locker room, the teammate stood out as much as the goaltender stood out.Also on hand at the Saddledome was Elliotts wife, who is pregnant with the couples first child, due at the start of the season.A little cowboy on the way, Elliott said. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. China NFL Jerseys . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. http://www.cheapjerseysfinish.com/ . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Cheap Authentic Jerseys . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- Yuka Saso led the Philippines to the World Junior Girls team title and topped the individual standings Friday at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.Saso, 15, teamed with Harmie Nicole Constantino and Sofia Angela Legaspi to give the Philippines a 2-over 578 total -- with only the top two scores each day counting in the total -- for a nine-stroke victory over defending champion South Korea.I feel happy and honored to win this trophy and this tournnament, Saso said.dddddddddddd Winning with this group is special because we have known each other since we were kids.Saso closed with a 2-under 70 to finish at 2-under 286, six strokes ahead of second place.Jennifer Chang of the United States shot a 70.Constantino had a 75 and Legaspi a non-counting 80.The United States was third at 15 over. ' ' '