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Post by minx on Feb 24, 2020 9:15:01 GMT -5
Every arena has to have an emergency goaltender for NHL games in case both goaltenders on one team get injured or can't play. They get to go to the game for free, and once in a while have to get dressed out and sit in the player's tunnel just in case. A few actually have to take to the ice, but it's usually at the tail end of the game. Not this dude - he was the GOAT! Plus, this was in Toronto, and as a fan of the Maple Leafs, he was playing against the home team. Definitely one of those moments you remember the rest of your life for sure www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/zamboni-driver-wins-first-nhl-game-after-being-tapped-emergency-n1141371And while I don't like the Canes, and think their coach is a gigantic asshole, I will have to give it to them for talking to this dude during the second intermission, thanking him for being out there and telling him they didn't care if he let all the goals in - he was out there to enjoy himself, so he should enjoy the moment and have fun. And after the game, the team acted like he just won them the Stanley Cup when he came into the locker room. So that was classy IMO.
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Feb 24, 2020 10:24:45 GMT -5
Wow that's awesome. Even after all the years I followed hockey, I wasn't aware that's how it works. Always assumed another player would put on the gear.
Which begs the question.... Why wouldn't another player put on the gear?
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Post by minx on Feb 24, 2020 12:04:19 GMT -5
Goalie is a specialized position, and requires different equipment and experience.
All of the people who are emergency goaltenders have to have current skating experience (playing for some sort of regular team, even if's in a rec league) and own their own equipment (because they can't just grab some pads and slap them on a random dude).
The home team is required to have one in the arena for each game - they usually rotate between a few people - it's a chance to see the game for free and get some free eats for the most part from what I understand. Few of them get the chance to get dressed out, let alone go out on the ice.
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Post by Dave's Not Here Man on Feb 24, 2020 13:40:24 GMT -5
Seems like a MAJOR liability issue if the stand-in gets "Malarchukked".
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