Hurricanes place goalie Ward on injured reserve

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward was diagnosed with a concussion and placed on injured reserve, the Hurricanes announced Wednesday.

Ward started last Friday and allowed three goals on 22 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, ending his three-game winning streak. He's 14-11-5 with a 2.42 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and one shutout in 32 games this season.

Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said he wasn't sure when Ward sustained his concussion.

"His symptoms started to come on and felt worst as he went and then he got tested and now he goes through the protocol," Peters told the Hurricanes website. "Obviously it's gotten worse as it's went along. Hopefully it's not a long-term thing."

Backup goalie Eddie Lack is 6-8-3 with a 2.97 GAA and .891 save percentage in 18 appearances.

"It's a great opportunity for Eddie is the way I look at it," Peters said.

Goalie Daniel Altshuller was recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League. Altshuller, 21, is 9-1-1 with a 1.71 GAA, .941 save percentage and one shutout in 11 AHL games.

"I just look at this numbers, they're fantastic," Peters said. "Now he gets an opportunity to come up here. He's earned it, so life is fair and the game is fair."

The Hurricanes play the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Thursday and return home Friday to play the New York Rangers.