Need a Goalie? Try Your Nearest Accountant or Zamboni Driver - Celebrating EBUG Anniversaries

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Stef
April 1, 2022 (3:55 PM)

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Four years ago, on March 29, 2018, the Chicago Blackhawks did just that. Coincidentally, it was during another player's 1000th game (Brent Seabrook), and Collin Delia was in goal, filling in for an injured Forsberg. With a 5-2 lead over the Jets, and 14:01 left in the third period, Delia himself was forced to exit the game due to a malicious cramp. Enter the Emergency Back-Up Goalie. Accountant Scott Foster, a former goaltender for Western Michigan University and current for two beer leagues, was no stranger to the game. But the NHL does have a slightly different feel.
Foster ended up facing 7 shots, and making 7 saves, and receiving an ovation after each, complete with the coveted name chant from the 21,839 fans. He was named the first star of the night, got mobbed by his teammates, and still remained as humble as ever as he became internationally famous in a matter of minutes.

As EBUG appearances are already special in their own rights, it seems only fitting that another instance happened on yet another anniversary - probably a bit more recognizable to the hockey world, as the 40th Anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. And just to keep things interesting, remember that while it's the home team who has the goalies on standby, it's not always the home team who ends up needing them.

On February 22, 2020, a 42 year old kidney transplant recipient became the oldest goaltender in NHL history to win his debut.
David's time on ice was a bit longer than Scott's, as he came in during the second period after Petr Mrázek, who had come in late, himself, to replace an injured Jeremy Reimer, collided with Toronto's Kyle Clifford. It was a home game for the Maple Leafs, and Ayres' gear reflected just that - except for the spare Canes' jersey that now bore his name. With 9 minutes left in the second, the Canes were lucky enough to have a 3 goal lead, as 2 shots slipped through Ayres before the end of the period. But by the third, he was ready. The team rallied around him and he knew there was no way he was going to disappoint them. And just as Foster faced his 7 shots, so did Ayres. Seven shots and seven saves won him the same 1st star honor and a mob of love from his one-night-only (and at the same time, lifelong) teammates.

These are stories you love to see. Love to hear. Love to read. There are more than a couple teams facing goalie troubles in the NHL right now, most notably Vegas and Chicago. Now I'm not saying they should go out and grab any guy who's been in a net and keep him, but maybe for a night, just to mix it up. Sometimes I think players rely too heavily on their net-minders, and forget that he's only one guy, and can only do so much. Yes, you expect them to make saves, that's their job. But if you put a guy in there who you know does not have the experience, who isn't used to any part of the game, whatsoever, who you know will have the utmost appreciation for being there, just for a night - maybe you find yourself having a little more respect for him, the position, and the game itself.