Hurricanes' equipment manager 'still pretty emotional' after goalie stint

Jorge Alves had a New Year's Eve he'll never forget.

The Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager was still soaking in the moment after manning the crease for the final seven-plus seconds in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

"It's a surprise, it's unbelievable," Alves told reporters postgame. "I was actually heading back down into the tunnel when I heard my name. I looked back, (and) I was like, 'What?' and coach (Bill Peters) said, 'Get your stuff on,' so ... it was amazing. I couldn't believe it."

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The Hurricanes signed the 37-year-old to a pro tryout contract before the game, and he was serving as Cam Ward's backup because an illness forced Carolina's No. 2 netminder, Eddie Lack, to miss the contest.

After Alves' brief moment in the spotlight, he joked that he was hoping the puck wouldn't find its way into Carolina's defensive zone.

"I just remember looking down the ice and seeing the puck in the corner and saying (to myself), 'Stay in that corner,'" he said with a laugh.

The impact of the moment was clearly still affecting him afterwards.

"It was amazing," he repeated. "It's still pretty emotional for me, so, it was amazing."

Even though he was the Hurricanes' backup goalie for a night, Alves still fulfilled his duties as equipment manager, sharpening skates and taping up sticks during the game.

"I can't shake the habit," he quipped. "I have a duty with the team and I wasn't going to break that."

The former NC State goaltender had seven ECHL contests under his belt but hadn't seen game action in 10 seasons.

Now, he has an NHL debut and an unforgettable story to call his own.