Revisiting the 1998-99 Carolina Hurricanes
By Jeb Bohn
![19 Nov 1998: Goalie Arturs Irbe #1 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares to make a stop during a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport 19 Nov 1998: Goalie Arturs Irbe #1 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares to make a stop during a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/37e5b32edbc3b1924d68bcc25098fc5c067ddab2936f5d7f8ec2de3de5d1c155.jpg)
The Goaltending
Trevor Kidd had a strong season with the Hurricanes in 1997-98, setting career marks in goals-against-average (2.17) and save percentage (.922). He had been the most consistent goaltender for the team, prompting the only other NHL-proven options (Sean Burke, Kirk McLean) to be moved for other assets.
Needing serviceable depth in goal, Rutherford signed Arturs Irbe, who was coming off of a solid season with the Vancouver Canucks. Irbe had established himself as a folk hero in San Jose, a fighter who had led the underdog Sharks to a 7 game upset of the Detroit Red Wings in 1994. After a 5 year stint in the Bay Area, Irbe spent one season each with the Dallas Stars and the Canucks.
When he landed with the Hurricanes, Irbe had shown himself to be a gifted but inconsistent goalie. The diminutive Latvian set about earning his place, setting career-highs in goals-against-average (2.22), save percentage (.923), and shutouts (6, which he duplicated in 00-01).
Kidd, meanwhile, appeared in on 25 games, posting a 7-10-6 record. His goals-against went up and his save percentage went down though, to be fair, neither number was horrendous (2.69; .905). Kidd also notched 2 shutouts, stopping 36 shots in each.
Irbe’s arrival stabilized the Hurricanes’ goaltending situation, a far cry from the carousel that we saw during the first season. This also marked the beginning of Irbe adding to his lore:
[@RexHealthcare 20th Anniversary Team: Arturs Irbe]
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 2, 2018
"A lot of goaltenders earn the moniker of 'workhorse,' but playing in 214 games in three seasons left little doubt that Arturs Irbe was the Hurricanes' workhorse in net." pic.twitter.com/cJKXONyPEG
Like wall, indeed.