The Carolina Hurricanes created a historic moment for the NHL last night and it is one that will go down as one of the most impressive or embarrassing games of all time, all depending on who you ask.
It’s one that will live on with the entire Hurricanes team, but more specifically, one that will never be forgotten by someone who thought at one time, he would never be able to play hockey again.
David Ayres, a 42-year-old mechanic and zamboni driver for the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate made eight saves on the 10 shots he faced, while on his way to becoming the goalie on record as the first-ever emergency backup goaltender to register an NHL win.
On the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Miracle On Ice game in which the underdog host USA defeated the four-time defending champion Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics semifinal match, the Hurricanes pulled off their own miracle.
In a game that saw them lose both James Reimer and Petr Mrazek as well as top defenseman Brett Pesce, the Canes defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 backstopped by an emergency backup goaltender who, fifteen years ago, underwent a kidney transplant and thought he’d never be able to strap the pads on again.
The sequence of events that led to Ayres’ miraculous moment, however, was a series of catastrophes for the Canes.
Just over six minutes into the game and with the score still tied at 0-0, Toronto forward Zach Hyman hit Jaccob Slavin into the goal where he landed right on top of Reimer’s legs. He tried to remain in the game, but was removed at the next media timeout and would be listed out for the remainder.
Next came Mrazek.
With the Canes having rallied a bit, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead, Mrazek decided to make a risky play. Racing way out of his crease to challenge a loose puck, Mrazek was trucked by Kyle Clifford. His helmet came flying off after the initial contact and he stayed down for a while before eventually being helped off the ice.
Ayres had already suited up after the Reimer injury, being donned with the number 90 on a Canes jersey bearing his own name, but his matching left something to be desired. Sporting Toronto blue pads and a custom painted Toronto Marlies mask, the Ontario-native looked like a yard sale inspired pond hockey kid.
Knowing the situation it found itself in, Carolina pulled out all the stops and managed to strike quickly after Ayres’ entry. Teuvo Teravainen scored on a power play to give the Canes a 4-1 lead.
However, the expected came to be. Facing his first NHL shot, Ayres was beaten five-hole by a John Tavares wrister. To make matters worse, moments before the goal, Pesce was injured as a stumbling Tavares cut his leg as the skate made contact with Pesce’s thigh.
Under two minutes later, the Canes’ lead dropped to only one as Pierre Engvall shot home a rebound that had hit Jake Gardiner in front and honestly, there wasn’t much Ayres could have done had he even been an NHL goaltender.
As the second period expired, Ayres skated off, but not without a few taps from Leafs goaltender Frederik Anderson and defenseman Tyson Barrie.
When he got to the room, Ayres said that the team told him not to worry about how many he let in and to just have fun with it, but he wasn’t prepared to just ride it out.
No, Ayres was determined to do his best. It was here that the man who had only ever played competitively up to Junior B decided to show his mettle.
Coming out for the third, Ayres turned away all seven Leafs shots he faced including a shot from Auston Matthews, who currently sits at second in the NHL in goals with 43, and even a high-danger chance on a Toronto power play.
It wasn’t all on his own though as the Hurricanes did everything in their power not to let the game slip away. Warren Foegele and Martin Necas each picked up a goal in the third to extend the lead to 6-3, and multiple Canes players were diving and stretching to knock away passes and block shots for Ayres.
It was a complete and total team effort that helped secure the victory over the Maple Leafs and it may even turn into a rallying point for the team.
However, it isn’t all positive. Carolina is now in a very precarious position with its injuries. After the game, Brind’Amour told the media in Toronto that Reimer and Pesce’s injuries were “longer-term,” and that the status of Mrazek was still unknown.
While the moment was amazing, the future looks grim. With a top defenseman and both goaltenders out, it seems inevitable Carolina will make a move before the trade deadline comes Monday.
The Canes would look to patch up the ship with momentary replacements, but it will end up costing them a lot to just stay afloat. Carolina has lost all negotiating leverage and honestly, it may be best to not even make a move.
The Hurricanes have last year’s AHL Goalie of the Year in Alex Nedlekjovic down in Charlotte just waiting for the opportunity. There is also an array of young defensive options with the most enticing of the group being Jake Bean and Chase Priskie each having put up solid numbers this season.
With the prices for rentals higher than ever and the inability for any of them to meet or replace the level that the Canes were already searching for in Dougie Hamilton and now Brett Pesce and with the talent already available in Charlotte to give a shot, the Canes should not deal resources for rental pieces.
The story of David Ayres may become one of the best hockey stories of this millennia, but the series of events that led up to a new miracle on ice may end up costing the Hurricanes a shot at the playoffs.
The season is far from over, but it just got a whole lot harder.
