Feel Good Story for Hockey Fans & Not

I am not a hockey fan but I had to share this feel good story.

David Ayres, a 42 year old Zamboni driver was tapped in as the emergency backup goalie in a NHL game between Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.  Wearing the Hurricanes jersey with a Toront  Marlies face mask, Ayres helped the visiting team score a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

(On Saturday, February 22) … David Ayres was simply enjoying his life as a Zamboni driver. But now his name is known across the hockey world, and he’s been offered honorary citizenship in one state.

… During an NHL game, the home team is required to have an emergency goalie in the building in case either team loses their goalies during the game for whatever reason. And on this night in Toronto, it was Ayres

Ayres, who had been watching the game in Scotiabank Arena with his wife, quickly began donning equipment when Carolina Hurricanes goalie James Reimer went down with an injury.

And once Carolina backup Petr Mrazek went down, Ayres was told “Get going. Get ready” because he was going in net.

… after a rocky start, he went on to make eight saves helping to carry the team to an unlikely 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

–Jeremiah Rodriguez, Writer for CTVNews.ca

During and after the game, Ayres was praised and supported by both teams and fans alike. Even though he did help the visiting team win, it’s a wonderful story of sportsmanship and non-partisan support for the Toronto (GTA) native.

You can read the full story here; along with a boatload of other articles, tweets and videos all over the internet.

It’s  a story truly deserving of an Adam Sandler movie.

Toronto, Canada. February 2020