The emergency backup goalie rule is one of the quirkiest in sports. The specialized nature of the position means that, essentially, if two goalies go down in the same game, a designated emergency backup on hand at the stadium will be called into action.
It almost never happens, with the last memorable instance in 2018. It’s normally a local amateur goalie of some kind, not someone you’d typically expect to walk into a top-level professional contest. It happened tonight in Toronto, when the Hurricanes lost both goalies due to injury. The designated backup: 42-year-old David Ayres, zamboni driver for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Via Steven Ellis at The Hockey News:
Enter Ayres, a 42-year-old from Whitby, Ont. His last competitive action was an eight-game stint with Norwood Vipers of the Allan Cup Hockey League where he allowed 58 goals with a .777 save percentage and a 0-8 record. Wearing equipment representing Toronto’s AHL team, the Marlies, Ayres became just the third emergency goaltender in the modern era to play in the NHL. And at 28:41, it was the longest appearance by an emergency backup in league history, culminating in an NHL win.
The Hurricanes Twitter account was all over it, of course:
42-year-old Dave Ayres will take the ice as our emergency back up goalie
Ayres served as EBUG for the Charlotte Checkers on Feb. 1 against the Marlies
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
What a way to make a debut, Dave Ayres pic.twitter.com/1opzaBgR4t
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
Ayres allowed two goals on the first three shots he saw, which isn’t a surprise. From then on, though, Ayres was nails, making shutting out the Leafs with 8 saves.
That’s incredible. Even though the home team lost, the home crowd clearly understood what was happening, as they gave Ayres an incredibly warm reception after the game.
A moment he'll never forget pic.twitter.com/6tr03wNZ5N
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
And the locker room celebration was also very warm, although literally wet:
A memory we'll all have forever pic.twitter.com/LUxqs8o3Wr
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
What an incredible night. What an awesome, ridiculous rule that let it happen, too.