Carolina Hurricanes Fan Favorites: Arturs Irbe
By Jeb Bohn
A passing conversation with Lord Stanley
Following Kidd’s expansion draft departure in the summer of 1999, Irbe was backed up by a revolving door of goalies. None had played particularly well in limited action and you can argue that this led to Irbe’s heavy workload (or vice-versa).
Prior to the 2001-02 season, Rutherford sought out a stabilizing, veteran presence to split time in the crease. He found his man in two-time Stanley Cup winner Tom Barrasso. As a result, Irbe appeared in “just” 51 games for the Hurricanes, posting a 20-19-11 record. While still respectable, his goal against (2.54) continued to creep up while his save percentage (.902) inched downward.
The goaltending situation became even more crowded when 26-year-old Kevin Weekes was brought in from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ten days later, Barrasso was shipped off to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 4th round pick.
As the season wound down, the Hurricanes once again claimed the Southeast Division title and prepared for their third playoff appearance in the four years since Irbe’s arrival.
Carolina dispatched New Jersey, Montreal, and Toronto in six games each, with both Irbe and Weekes supplying the necessary heroics. For his part, Irbe put up the best playoff performance of his career, posting a 10-8 record, 1.67 goals-against average, .938 save percentage, and one shutout.
The Hurricanes ultimately fell to a star-studded Red Wings team in the championship round, though the 02 playoff run was arguably Irbe’s peak with Carolina.