This is the sort of goofy thing that makes hockey great. It's so rare and that's why it is special. Also-it gave me my highlight of the year. Steve Dangle doing a Leafs Fan Review of that game screaming for about 10 minutes, "THEY LOST TO A ZAMBONI DRIVER!!! I thought poor Dangle was going to blow out a blood vessel.
Both Foster and Ayres were great feel good stories. You can argue whether or not Ayres should have been the guy to get the call, especially in Toronto where there's got to be 50 guys within driving distance who have played goal in junior A, major junior, or college. That said, he was the guy at that time, and he did what he was asked to do. I tip my hat to both Foster and Ayres for what they accomplished.
Or the former ECHL goalie who works as a trainer for the Hurricanes and has played as an EBUG for them before (he was put into a game with 7 seconds left and did not face a shot). In fact, that's when the NHL changed the rule- after that, the NHL forced all teams to use the home team's guy. I was pissed at hell that we couldn't use Jorge Alves- the Canes know him well as a practice goalie and he's actually played pro hockey. But obviously it ended alright with the most heroic game on defense I've ever seen a team play.
I see David Ayres, I press like. Same for THG ;-) another feel good story... Btw you were in my dream Shannon wearing the yellow, orange, black flying skate, that's all I remember.
I was at this game with one of my buddies lmao. After mrazek got injured, game was delayed for like 15 minutes and we had no idea what was going on as the canes didn't have an active goalie. It was only until after the game i found out ayres was a random zamboni driver for the marlies lmao
I have nothing but respect for David Ayres. I was mad when the Leafs lost but I was happy for him. Scott Foster and David Ayres should be in the next All Star Game.
Big Toronto Fan, but dang that was an inspiring game. Was astounded by how CAR rallied to protect him. Great defensive game by the Hurricanes. I was so bummed for TOR, elated for CAR. Annoyed with Burke for not recognizing the ONE game performance as brilliant. Not likely to happen again. Thrilled for Ayres!!!
As a former Rent-A-Goalie, watching Scott Foster was so amazing to watch with a few great saves (yes I had to get his hockey card as fast as I could along with any EBUG cards as I can find them) but when David Ayres' moment shaped up, it was BEYOND all others and transcends just a hockey game and puts a HUGE smile on my face every time I watched it (ordered his cards too). He deserves everything his "15 mins of fame" gives and more to both him and his wife, along with his friends and loved ones (loved the interview with his Mom). You can have your cake and eat it too with both wonderful moments time and again. Thanks for putting this together between both 'tenders on your video.
Both these guys should have a mention in the HOF. And someone needs to make a film about it. Put them up with the great feelgood story's like Eddie the eagle and the Jamaican Bob sled team. Also say what you like about Toronto fans, they totally cheered this guy. Which was nice.
The David Ayres update Young Guns card and the exclusive version from SP Authentic is going for quite a bit of money too! But it's super cool for him to have a Rookie card.
As a Leafs fan, this was pretty devastating when it happened, but I quickly turned around to the "This was definitely the best outcome, this story is amazing" perspective. I need to buy one of those t-shirts
David Ayers did more for the game of hockey, the NHL, and organ donor awareness in one week, than anyone else I can think of. If I had a vote for the Lady Byng, he would get my vote without any hesitation. In every appearance, he was classy, represented the game very well, and was very humble about the whole experience.
I could've done it. I have 100% game win percentage as a youth goalie. I only played one game in goal as a squirt, faced zero shots. My feet were freezing afterwards, and the other team was terrible.
The haters basically are saying if David Ayres could do it, anyone can. Ayres is living proof. The only way the Leafs put this memory behind them is basically this: win the Cup.
Loved watching this game. Glad I accidently recorded it. Bought a tee cause I loved the story and the charity side to it. Just a warning as a Canadian, the tee was about $30Cdn however the shipping and brokerages fees to get it over the border added another $75Cdn. Still stings.
Leafs fan here. that wasn't a very good game but a memorable one. The guy deserves all of the great things that came out of this game. This game could be life changing, even if he decides to keep the same job. I'm sure when the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup, this story will be brought up by the players.
THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOST TO A ZAMBONI DRIVER THAT WORKS FOR THEM!!!!!!! best rant ever lol. H It was a moment of a lifetime and he took it and made the best of it.
From one Leafs fan to all the others, if you hate the Ayres story you’re an idiot. Blame the Leafs for doing absolutely nothing while he was in net than him. The Canes had one of the best defensive games I’ve ever seen when he went in. I love the Ayres story. It’s so cool for him
I feel like people are just not wanting to give credit to the goalies because of the team they play on. Like can we not just acknowledge that the Scott Foster story and the David Ayres story are both great, feel-good stories?
There's something so good and heartwarming about emergency goaltenders. I forget if it was Ayers or Foster but the coach looked so disappointed when he walked out. I remember laughing at the coaches reaction. Also as a Habs fan, it was amusing on that level too lol
I dont think enough credit is given to the Canes defense, they completely shut down the Leafs offense and it was probably the best defense I've seen them play
Ok, I am not knocking David Ayres. His accomplishments were impressive and hearing it again does make me feel good. However, I do think the Pekka Rinne goal made me feel better. He looked so happy. He is just such a good guy and seeing him so happy just transferred over to me. All I could do was smile for like 2 days straight.
Saw the game live on tv. I mean, just imagine you are the emergency goalie and you have to go in for the opposing team to your city, and you have worked with the team in some regards. Then to allow 2 goals to start and comeback to shut them out in the 3rd period. I mean, that just doesn't happen. I actually ordered one of his shirts a few weeks ago because of the uniqueness and the proceeds going to his charity. There are some good videos on the Hurricanes RU-vid channel about that night.
The Toronto maple leafs are literally built on their offence and THEY LOST TO A 42 YEAR OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER WHO WORKA FOR THEM. The Ayres story was amazing, but at the same time, you gotta wonder what Toronto were doing. Carolina then reminded everyone why they have the best defence in hockey and just shut the door, but a team with Nylander, Marner, Matthews, Tavares etc had just 7 shots in a period against a Zamboni driver.
I"m pretty sure during the intermission the leafs said "were not going to embarrass this guy" so they chose to embarrass themselves instead and refused to score on him after that. Sure it was a heyday when they lost and this was a huge story but if the leafs decided to bury him and win it would have been "oh they can only win against emergency goalies" blah blah blah. Despite how bad the drama was over this loss, it would have been worse if they won.
[...I hope he brings their birth certificates too, cause he is their dad now. all of them] - Steve Dangle, on Ayers bringing the the game puck with him when invited to a leafs practice... lmfao
David Ayres and Scott Foster were not the firsts, before 1965 when the NHL required teams to dress 2 goalies for every game, EBUG playing was a regular occurrence. Not taking anything from them, but others have done it before.
It's like a bad elementary school playground joke come to life: "Oh yeah, well your team sucks so bad they'd lose to the zamboni driver!" What's best is that he's used his celebrity for good from the moment he got it by giving back.
Here's a new idea... make some movies where cats play soccer, baseball, basketball, and whatever else. That surely won't need trick photography either. Maybe your friend Mike knows someone who can make this happen.
As a Leafs fan it was the most enjoyable game I have watched in a long time. I thought it would be a decent/interesting game. Never liked the Hurricanes much at all, silently cheered for them that night.
The only thing that could save the Leafs from the embarrassment of losing to a Zamboni driver is if they win the cup and let us be honest here that is not happening
