The Chicago Blackhawks will be without starting goaltender Corey Crawford for the next few weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Saturday.
The club initially listed Crawford as ill prior to Saturday’s matinee matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers, but later announced that the netminder had acute appendicitis.
“Corey underwent a successful appendectomy today in Philadelphia,” Blackhawks Head Team Physician Dr. Michael Terry said via press release. “We anticipate a full recovery and for Corey to return to unrestricted hockey activities in 2-3 weeks.”
Scott Darling got the start on Saturday, and the team was left scrambling to find a backup with limited time before the puck drop at 1 p.m. ET.
The Blackhawks solved their backup dilemma by signing Eric Semborski to an ATO just prior to game time.
Semborski did not play in the Blackhawks’ eventual 3-1 loss to the Flyers.
Due to the tight time frame, the emergency backup wore a familiar number during warmups…
Crawford has been strong this season, coming off three straight wins with a record of 12-6-2, a 2.27 goals against average and .927 save percentage.
Prior to Saturday, Darling had started just five games this season, and was undefeated in regulation with a goals against average of 2.76 and a .909 save percentage.
The Blackhawks also played without captain Jonathan Toews on Saturday, as the club placed the centreman on injured reserve Friday, retroactive to Nov. 24. Saturday marks Toews’ fifth straight absence. No timeline has been provided for his return.
