The Hurricanes (-120 favorites) entered Game 2 against the Bruins on Wednesday night, expecting that they’d take care of business again.
After a 5-1 drubbing of Boston in the first-round series opener — where Antti Raanta was dynamite with 35 saves on 36 shots — what could go wrong? This outcome was written in the stars.
One problem: Raanta had to stay healthy.
Around halfway through the opening period, Boston’s David Pastrnak chased after a loose puck and inadvertently ran into Raanta. It did not look great for the Finnish goalie.
David Pastrnak collides with Antti Raanta, and the goaltender's leaving the game. pic.twitter.com/valxs95VtP
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 4, 2022
The Hurricanes would officially designate Raanta with an “upper-body injury,” and he did not return.
That meant it was up to backup Pyotr Kochetkov to step in and for Jack LaFontaine to become Carolina’s EBUG (a.k.a. emergency backup goaltender). And while Kochetkov ended up putting in an admirable 30-save performance, it was LaFontaine who clearly had the time of his life sitting in the Hurricanes’ locker room:
Jack LaFontaine had to dress as the emergency backup after Antti Raanta was knocked out of tonight’s game.
Jack can’t sit on the bench. So here’s where he is during the game, alone in the equipment room. pic.twitter.com/FNRbh1z0QQ
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 5, 2022
Now that looks like a guy just vibing in the back room. Not a care in the world. But wait, why couldn’t LaFontaine join the rest of the Carolina roster on the bench?
Here’s a great explanation:
For those asking, Jack LaFontaine is not on the #Canes bench, because he can't be.
As an EBUG, he can only come out of the locker room if he is going into the game, and he can only go into the game if Kochetkov is forced to leave hurt.
He is dressed and ready if needed though.
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) May 5, 2022
That adds up. LaFontaine can only come in during a complete goaltending disaster for his team. No notes.
Thankfully for the Hurricanes, and LaFontaine, they avoided said disaster as they eventually beat the Bruins 5-2 to take a 2-0 series lead. Hey, no one said the same goalie(s) had to be around for destiny to come true!
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