Zamboni driver, 42, gets win as emergency goalie for Canes

WRAL ^ | 2-23-2020 | WRAL

[VeniVidiVici]

TORONTO — David Ayres was sitting in the stands with his wife at Scotiabank Arena when Carolina Hurricanes goalie James Reimer went down with an injury.

The on-call emergency netminder in Toronto, Ayers left his seat and got half-dressed into his gear on the off-chance something might happen to Carolina's second option, Petr Mrazek.

Midway through the second period, Ayres noticed his cellphone started to blow up. What he didn't realize was that Mrazek had been hurt in a scary collision with Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford and was down on the ice.

"One of the equipment guys came in to me and said, 'You got to get your stuff on. It's time to go out there,'" Ayres said Sunday. "I actually didn't believe him at first, and it was true – get your stuff on and go."

Next thing the 42-year-old Zamboni driver knew, he was walking down the tunnel and into the spotlight.

[nascarnation]

Well the hourly rate comes out pretty decent...

[Leaning Right]

> you’re probably better off with a 40+ year old amateur who has played the position a lot over the years than a regular NHL player who has never played it before <

Thanks for the reply. I guess it’s like the presidency. Better to have an amateur who knows how to get things done (Trump) than a career politician who has accomplished nothing.

😉

[Libloather]

If you get to watch a replay, he was wearing a Canes uniform with his Malple Leaf helmet. And yes, he said he knew where they would place the shot. He did stop a few tough ones.

[Roccus]

I’m amazed a big 42 year old can still do the splits.

When asked about that on this AMs Dan Patrick show he said he could still do them. When asked if he could get up after, he said,"Yeah...with a crane."

[jimmygrace]

Mrazek was 40 feet away from the goal when he got plowed. The Canes ought to think about having TWO backup goalies if he’s going to play that way. Great story, though.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Hockey fans are in general a classy lot.

I am impressed that fans in Canadian NHL arenas always stand respectfully for The Star-Spangled Banner when our own spoiled, woke football players do not.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Interesting, isn't it? They will even sing the Star Spangled Banner if the sound system goes down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNBp68jquiA

And nobody is kneeling. Strange bunch these Canadians.

[octex]

Carolina is also flying him down to their Tuesday night game hosting Dallas.