Hard to believe it's already been two years since David Ayres got famous
PUBLICATION
Pete FredericksFebruary 22, 2022 (3:57 PM)
Two years ago today, February 22, 2020, after both goalies (James Reimer and Petr Mrazek) were injured, the Carolina Hurricanes were forced to use Toronto Maple Leafs' zamboni driver, David Ayres, as their emergency goaltender in a game against the Leafs.
During NHL games, the home team is required to have an emergency goalie (or "ebug") in the building in case either team loses both of their goalies for whatever reason and Ayres was the guy for the Leafs. He'd practiced with the Leafs on many occasions in the past, but practice is practice. This was an actual NHL game.
Ayres had a bit of a rough start -- who could blame him if he was a little nervous -- but settled in and eventually made eight saves for Carolina, who won 6-3.
David Ayres, the zamboni-driving Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment employee, was credited with the win on the official game sheet and became overnight famous around the world.
The Hurricanes' players and coach Rod Brind'Amour celebrated with Ayres in the dressing room following the game:
Post game video:
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