In what might be considered the feel-good story of the 2019-20 NHL season, injuries Saturday forced the Carolina Hurricanes to literally put the Zamboni driver in at goalie against the Toronto Maple Leafs _ and he led them to victory.
When Hurricanes goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazk were both injured and removed from the game, David Ayres, 42, a Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, entered as an emergency goalie. All NHL teams are required to have an emergency goalie at each home game who is available to either team in case of injuries. Ayres was at Saturday's game in Toronto.
After giving up a pair of goals late in the second period, Ayres didn't allow a goal in the third period in a 6-3 Carolina win. According to ESPN, Ayres saved 8 of 10 shots.
There was no immediate update on the injuries to Reimer and Mrazek.
Reimer started the game for the Canes but was injured when Canes defenseman Jaccob Slavin was pushed into him. Reimer continued for a few minutes before leaving the game.
Mrazek, who started Friday's game against the New York Rangers, came into the game in relief. But Mrazek then was injured after leaving the net to play the puck, leveled by the Leafs' Kyle Clifford, and had to leave the game.
