The Maple Leafs were defeated by a 42-year-old zamboni driver
Feb 22, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes emergency goaltender David Ayres (90) during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Carolina defeated Toronto. (John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
In Toronto for a massive meeting with the Maple Leafs, the Hurricanes’ first brush with danger came with an injury that knocked James Reimer out play in the first period. And down to just one goaltender, it didn’t take long for the Hurricanes to find themselves truly screwed, as Petr Mrazek was decked by the Leafs’ Kyle Clifford and knocked out of action.
Without a single goalie in uniform, the Canes made the call to the first goalie available.
A call answered by 42-year-old arena zamboni driver David Ayres, who became the first emergency backup goaltender to earn an NHL victory thanks to an 8-of-10 showing in a 6-3 win over the Leafs.
https://twitter.com/THEOTTSSHOW/status/1231393803682144257
Ayres’ night started out downright worrisome, as he surrendered goals on the first two shots thrown on net, the first from John Tavares (under Jaccob Slavin) and the second from Toronto’s Pierre Engvall on a rebound in front of Ayres.
But with some new pants (Ayres switched from Toronto blue to Carolina red during the second intermission), Ayres settled down with eight straight saves, including a perfect seven-for-seven line in the third period, to earn the victory.
“As you could tell, I couldn’t stop a puck if I had to in the second,” Ayres, who is now the oldest goaltender in NHL history to win his regular-season debut, told reporters after the win. “I told the boys in the intermission, ‘I’ll be ready to go.’ All I thought was keep breathing nice and slowly and relax, the shots are going to come.”
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour called it a special moment, and Ayres’ teammates for the day welcomed him back to the locker room in the only acceptable fashion following the eight-save performance.
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1231423595735396354?s=20
You may have noticed a new name in the lineup. Anton Forsberg is sick so Dave Ayres is suiting up as an emergency backup! pic.twitter.com/um67KSfrPK
— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) February 1, 2020">Ayres was on the bench as the Checkers’ emergency backup goalie when they faced the Toronto Marlies earlier this month. Ayres had more than just the on-ice knowledge of the Toronto ice on his side, as Ayres has been asked to skate against the Leafs in practice on numerous occasions, and admitted that he was a little accustomed to their tendencies.”I face these guys all the time, the Leafs, at practice, to be honest,” said Ayres.Oh, andMore color on American/Canadian hero David Ayers...
Became the oldest goalie (42) to win his NHL debut
Made $500 and gets to keep his jersey
Is practicing with the team he beat last night , the @MapleLeafs in Sunday & is bringing game winning puck
https://t.co/DNCzdNX6Vw
