It’s an extended version of the Goalie Nods!
The Carolina Hurricanes have just announced that goalie Eddie Lack is not feeling well today and will not dress for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which means that the team’s equipment manager Jorge Alves has been signed to a professional tryout contract, and will strap on the pads and serve as back-up to Cam Ward.
These situations are often interesting because there’s always the chance emergency back-ups may actually be called into action. But the 37-year-old Alves practices with the Hurricanes, the team said. He also played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League after a previous stint with North Carolina State University’s club hockey team.
The possibility of Alves being used in an emergency capacity is something the Hurricanes have planned for in the past. Now, it’s a reality.
He’ll be suiting up in style, too. Check out the goalie mask he’ll wear for tonight’s occasion:
The mask Jorge Alves will wear tonight features his fellow equipment managers. Erik Huffine drew caricatures. Jorge painted it himself. pic.twitter.com/PHympx1LhC
— Mike Sundheim (@MikeSundheim) December 31, 2016
Of course, his teammates decided to have a little bit of fun at his expense, too.
[WATCH] The #Canes send equipment manager, and tonight's back-up goalie, Jorge Alves on the ice alone for warmups. #HipHipJorge #CARvsTBL pic.twitter.com/EwlQQXf0XC
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 1, 2017
This is a big game for the Hurricanes, as they look to gain ground in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. They’re currently five points back of Philadelphia.