The Carolina Hurricanes got news on Monday that they didn’t want to hear, but they had to share it with everyone in Raleigh, N.C. and around the National Hockey League (NHL).
In a statement released by the team, President and General Manager Jim Rutherford announced that goaltender Cam Ward had been diagnosed with a third-degree sprain of his medial collateral ligament (MCL).
As serious as the injury is, surgery will not be required, but the team’s number one goaltender is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
As a result, backup Dan Ellis will take over duties as the team’s top keeper while Justin Peters, currently playing with the team’s American Hockey League (AHL)affiliate club, the Charlotte Checkers, was recalled on an emergency basis to assume backup responsibilities.
In announcing Peters’ recall later in the day, the team had subsequently placed Ward injured reserve as a result of the injury he suffered during the team’s 3-2 win at Florida on Sunday.
“It’s tough,” Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller said after that game.
“Everybody’s got to face injuries. You have to battle through and find ways to win when you get these injuries."
Not knowing the severity of Ward’s injury at the time, Muller acknowledged his top goalie's play at the time.
“He was playing good hockey.”
Looking to extend the team's current three-game win streak, Ellis will lead the Hurricanes onto the ice at PNC Arena when they face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
The Raleigh Sports Examiner on Facebook
Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport
Comments