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Bruins goaltending coach Bob Essensa jumps into emergency backup duty (Photo)

Photo via Pucks on Net

This has been the year of the emergency backup goaltender – because starters seem to always get injured and forced these 40-something dudes into awkward bench photo ops.

From Robb Tallas to Arturs Irbe, to Dwayne Roloson … it has happened too many times. But has been equally hilarious in every situation. Behold the above glory of Bruins goaltending coach Bob Essensa on the bench in a game against the New York Rangers.

And another great, and closer, shot of Essensa (s/t Jeff Paterson)

Photo via Jeff Paterson on Twitter
Photo via Jeff Paterson on Twitter

He’s 50 years old, and started 67 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93. His last NHL action came in 2001-02 when he played nine games with the Buffalo Sabres and notched a 2.91 goals against average and .850 save percentage. Tuukka Rask left the game in the second period due to dehydration and could not return.

Boston won 4-2, backup Niklas Svedberg stopped 16 of 18 shots on goal in relief of Rask. And most importantly, didn't get hurt.

Said Essensa to Matt Kalman of The Bruins Blog:

"They barely got me under the [salary] cap. We were negotiating for half a period."

While this whole situation is obviously hilarious, it is something that needs to be addressed, especially after Tallas was almost thrust into action with Florida earlier in the season. But until then, let us continue to mock and enjoy ...

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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