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Blackhawks call on unlikely emergency backup with Crawford out

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The Chicago Blackhawks found their backup goaltender for Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Eric Semborski signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Blackhawks, who had to scramble to secure a netminder ahead of the matinee contest.

The 23-year-old backed up Scott Darling, who's starting because Corey Crawford underwent an appendectomy Saturday.

Semborski played club hockey with Temple University, not far from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and also suited up for the Empire Junior Hockey League's Jersey Wildcats.

He won't make a cent for Saturday's efforts, and the Blackhawks went the amateur route due to salary cap concerns, according to The Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine.

Chicago elected not to call upon goaltending coach Jimmy Waite, the 47-year-old former NHL netminder who often steps in during Chicago's practices when one of Crawford or Darling is unable to skate.

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