A Hard Hit Puts Gerbe on Injure Reserve

Nathan Gerbe, the 28-year-old forward for the Carolina Hurricanes suffered a lower-body injury which is predicted to have him out of play for the next 4-6 weeks. The announcement was made by the Executive Vice President and the team’s General Manager, Ron Francis.

He was placed on the injured reserve list, retroactive to November 22nd, the actual date of the injury due to the hit heard around the world. Gerbe sustained the injury during the first period of Sunday’s game against Los Angles when he took a hard hit from Kings’ forward Kyle Clifford. Both players were after a loose puck in the Kings’ zone, with Gerbe ready to make the move and place the puck behind the Los Angeles goal when Clifford struck, slamming Gerbe into the glass.

After a mere 1:57 minutes of action, fans watched as he was led off the ice and did not return to the game. He was officially ruled out before the second period began. Although, Clifford wasn’t penalized for the hit that sidelined Gerbe, he did end up sitting out for five minutes later in the game when he was involved in a fight with another Hurricane forward, Brad Malone. The Hurricane went on to gain a 4-3 victory in the PNC Arena.

On the smaller side at 5’5” and around 178 pounds, Gerbe brings heat when he is on the ice. A fan favorite, many are saddened by Gerbe being sidelined because he his passion for the game showed on the ice, and he is a valuable asset to the team. Drafted in 2005 by Buffalo, he became a free agent in 2013 at which time he was picked up by Carolina. In the twenty games he played so far this season alone, he had already scored one goals and two assists. Adding to the 26 goals and 55 assist he earned in his previous two years with Carolina. These numbers bring his career total to 56 goals and 78 assists.