UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- An already nightmarish season for Cam Ward has taken another bad turn for the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender.
General manager Jim Rutherford said Saturday that Ward would consult with a back specialist early next week to determine the severity and nature of the back problem Ward apparently first suffered Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. Ward flew with the Canes to Buffalo on Thursday, experiencing tightness in his back, and then returned Friday to Raleigh.
Rutherford said he did not know the seriousness of the back problem or if Ward might need surgery.
"Until we learn something from the doctor, we don't have any other update," Rutherford said. "But we are very concerned about this injury. Based on the symptoms, it is not related to the injury of a year ago."
Ward suffered from back spasms during the Eastern Conference finals of the Stanley Cups playoffs last season. The spasms flared up again when Ward was attending the Team Canada Olympic orientation camp in the summer, and he later underwent an MRI and other tests.
A slow start to the season, by Ward and the Hurricanes, dented his chances of making the Canadian Olympic team for the Vancouver Games. Then he was slashed on the left leg near the knee by the skate of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash in the Nov. 7 game in Columbus.
Ward came within inches of a career-ending injury. Sidelined for a month, he learned in late December that he had not been selected for Team Canada -- a huge personal disappointment for Ward.
Ward put that aside, returned to form and played some of his best hockey in January. But the back pain began early in Wednesday's game at Calgary and worsened overnight and then during the long plane ride.
"It's been tough," Rutherford said. "It has just been one of those years."
Manny Legace started Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres and was the winner as the Canes rallied in the third period for a 4-3 victory. Jussi Jokinen scored the winner with 3:17 to play.
Goaltender Justin Peters was recalled Friday from the Albany River Rats of the AHL. Peters, 23, made a NHL debut Saturday night, beating the New York Islanders 3-1.
