The 2011-12 season was memorable as much for the regular season as it was for the incredible excitement and drama from the Stanley Cup playoffs. There were a few surprises during the year as an icon was supplanted in Vancouver, there was a million dollar bust in Philadelphia, a two headed monster in St. Louis and a king among Kings emerged in Los Angeles.

As much as we all love to see the beautiful dekes, slick breakaways and wicked one-timers, there isn’t anything that can fire up a crowd a swing momentum like an amazing save. Don’t be fooled into expecting to see the usual suspects on this highlight reel though.

Some of the best saves of 2011-12 came from some unlikely sources. I’m not sure if that is what made those saves more amazing or if stars like Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Miller and Pekka Rinne simply make those look “routine”. The guys who routinely contend for the Vezina Trophy can still pull a rabbit out of a hat or use some type of sorcery to bend a post or contort a spine.

There will always be arguments over an oversight, but here are my top five saves of 2011-12.  Do you miss hockey yet?

5. Cam Ward: Video Link 
With Carolina leading Vancouver 4-3 late in the third period, Mason Raymond carried the puck between the faceoff circles and dropped a pass to defenseman Keith Ballard who had stepped up into the play.  Cam Ward who had three-quarters of the net exposed, dove full stretch across the goalmouth to deflect Ballard’s shot with his glove.

4. Mike Smith: Video Link 
Oh the penalty shot. The most exciting play in sports. Penalty shot in overtime? Oh heck yeah! New York Rangers’ sniper Marian Gaborik. Gaborik dekes Smith out of his pants but recovers to make a diving save with his stick to keep the Coyotes tied in overtime.

3. Tim Thomas: Video Link 
Love him or hate him, Tim Thomas can straight up play. He might have gotten outdueled in the playoff series with the Capitals this past spring, but the Bruins certainly didn’t lose because of efforts like this.

2. Ondrej Pavelec: Video Link 
In a game that ultimately ended with a Jets’ 5-4 defeat in overtime, their goalie did his part stopping 50 Philadelphia shots. None were as memorable as this open net sprawl to deny the Flyers’ Jakub (Dusty) Voracek.

1. Miikka Kiprusoff: Video Link 
With the Sharks circling dangerously, looking for a late equalizer, Calgary’s backstop shut the door by any and every means necessary to preserve a Flames victory.