42-year-old emergency goalie saves the day for Hurricanes

Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies and emergency backup goalie David Ayres makes his NHL debut at 42 years of age, stopping 8 of 10 shots to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 6-3 win, all while stealing the show in Toronto.

For the latest hockey action, subscribe to our channel by clicking the big, red shiny SUBSCRIBE button



Feeling social?

[collegestudent]

Fun Fact: David Ayers has NEVER lost an NHL game, undisputed GOAT!

[mattbarker]

Toronto got beaten by their own zamboni driver.

[beachboysswiftie]

"THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOST AN ACTUAL NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE GAME, TO A 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER, WHO WORKS FOR - a very upset Steve Dangle

in all seriousness, i'm so happy for this guy. so cool that he got to live out his dream, he's never gonna forget this. really classy of the hurricanes for that welcome, and also of the toronto fans for cheering for him even though the leafs lost. what a cool moment

[raggeragnar]

Stories like this is why sports is the greatest entertainment ever. This is a daydream-fantasy-come-true for a average, middle aged, everyday Joe. You can’t make this up.

[goaliejoe]

Leafs fan: Toronto can actually win!

Toronto’s Zamboni driver: hold my beer

[strangenotes]

The Leafs were held scoreless for an entire period by a 42 year old zamboni driver wearing a mask with their own logo on it. Amazing.

[theroadnottaken]

the real question here is, who was the emergency Zamboni driver...lol

[Royalsprincess]

2:38 "All the capacity of Leaf fans, they're cheering for Ayres.." That's because they see him around the rink day-in and day-out. So therefore, they REALLY appreciate him, and what he does. AND THEY KNOW this is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity for him to suit up and play in an NHL game, even more importantly to be IN NET! That is OUTSTANDING, and then HE IS MAKING SAVES AND WINNING!

[mattbernacki]

There I was, wearing my Leafs jersey, actively laughing at my team and cheering for David Ayres... what a legend.

[eddiec]

Carolina NEEDS to fly this guy down and have him drive zamboni in full goalie gear for a storm surge celebration.

[Jens]

I'm guessing I should add this guy to the next "NHL: Emergency Goalies" video 🤔

[wvr]

The two that got past him were solid goals. There’s a good chunk of nhl keeps that would have a rough time saving them

[dedicatedfan]

This will be one of the last crazy NHL games before the global pandemic occurs and life changes greatly.

[AlexTheOilersFan]

I'm gonna be honest. When Ayres went in, I thought he was going to get lit up. But give credit to the Canes. They tightened up defensively in the 3rd and didn't allow Toronto a single high danger scoring opportunity. That is the definition of "playing for your goaltender"

[bmac]

The crazy thing looking back on this is the fact that this game legitimately mattered quite a bit, considering those two points affected playoff standings. This was a situation with genuine leverage in the playoff picture. And the dude played legit.

[Gcool]

I love that the NHL has this rule. I love seeing these guys get to go out and live their dream, even way after they probably thought they'd missed their opportunity. So freaking cool

[oopopp]

We FINALLY get the answer to the age old question, and the answer is YES.... Your local beer league team CAN Beat the Toronto Maple Leafs!!...

[alexmurphy]

He's basically a 42 year old beer leaguer and Toronto couldn't even light him up. Good thing they have a good defense though, imagine if they had spent all their money on offense /s

[canesmojo]

After Ayers’ first save...
Warren Foegele: “You just stopped Austin Matthews.”
David Ayers: “Heh. I stop him all the time at practice.”

How cool is this guy?

[miriamcarey]

As a canes fan, I have to say, you guys up in Toronto showed real class cheering for Ayres. Good luck for the rest of the season!