PHILADELPHIA _ Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford was scheduled to undergo an appendectomy at a hospital in Philadelphia after he became sick prior to the Hawks' 3-1 loss to the Flyers.
"Corey presented this morning with acute appendicitis," team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement. "He is undergoing an appendectomy today at a Philadelphia hospital. We are anticipating a full recovery and return to play. We will provide details regarding the timeline of his return after we have more information about the surgery."
There is no timetable yet for Crawford's recovery, but if he is out a while, it would be a considerable blow to the Hawks' season given Crawford's strong start. He has played in 20 games, has a record of 12-6-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
The good news for the Hawks is that there is a possibility Crawford may not be out for very long. In 2008, Blues goaltender Chris Mason was back in net 13 days after the team announced he would have an appendectomy.
While Scott Darling got the start Saturday, the Hawks went out and signed an emergency backup goaltender, Eric Semborski, a 23-year-old native of Bloomsburg, Pa., who played club hockey at Temple.
The Hawks signed Semborski to an amateur tryout agreement and do not have to make a move to accommodate him on their gameday roster. The Hawks could have signed goaltender coach Jimmy Waite to a contract, but as a former pro, Waite's small salary would have counted against the salary cap, and the Hawks had no room to sign him. Semborski will make $0 for playing Saturday.
Semborski played for the Empire Junior Hockey League's Jersey Wildcats in 2010-11. He had a 4.98 goals against average and a .884 save percentage in 29 games.
Per Semborski's Facebook page, his nickname is "Preach" and his favorite quote is "My goal is to stop yours." Semborski is wearing a No. 50 jersey, Crawford's usual number, but with Semborski on the back.
NHL rules say teams can dress a third goaltender in case both of their goaltenders on the roster are incapacitated.
