Hurricanes' Mrazek, Reimer, Pesce out 'longer term'

The Carolina Hurricanes have been dealt a tough blow.

Goaltenders Petr Mrazek and James Reimer, as well as defenseman Brett Pesce, are out "longer term," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Monday, according to Chip Alexander of The News & Observer.

All three suffered separate injuries during Saturday's victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mrazek, who collided hard with Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford while leaving his net to play the puck, suffered a concussion on the play, Brind'Amour confirmed. Pesce sustained a shoulder injury during the second period and did not return. The exact nature of Reimer's injury remains unclear.

Carolina recalled netminders Alex Nedeljkovic and Anton Forsberg from the AHL's Charlotte Checkers on Sunday.

The Hurricanes, who are already without blue-chip defenseman Dougie Hamilton, are in the midst of a tight Eastern Conference playoff race with 21 games remaining.