David and Sarah Ayres are the best hockey story since John Scott’s NHL All-Star Season, and it truly couldn’t have happened to a more genuine wife/hubby combo. Ayres' curtain call came when he was named first star of the game, a fitting bow on an unforgettable debut. He became the first emergency goaltender in NHL history to record a win after the Hurricanes defeated Leafs 6-3. I can't wipe the smile off my face," Ayres told CBC News Network host Heather Hiscox. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. It was really cool. David Ayres will never forget his night in the National Hockey League. It still was a bit unbelievable to comprehend the following day, and that was just for those of us watching. Though he was not busy in net, Ayres was named the first star, considering the unique circumstances. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. “I got off the ice and I was going back to the change room and an (off-ice official) stopped me and he said, ‘You’re going nowhere, you’re going back on the ice,’” Ayres said. Except the Leafs didn’t score again, and Ayres made NHL history in his emergency role, becoming the oldest goaltender to win in his NHL debut. “I knew all he needed to do is get in that dressing room and calm down.”. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. “It was just nerves … I’m so proud of him, but at the same time, this is a big stage. Definitely thought I heard third star while on the broadcast and thought he should've definitely gotten first star. Screen printed with Ayres' name and number on back. "Zamboni driver by day, emergency goaltender by night" David Ayres earned First Star honors and saved the day for the Canes in Toronto! David Ayres (* 12. “Zamboni driver by day, emergency goaltender by night” David Ayres earned First Star honors and saved the day for the Canes in Toronto! He is best known for playing the NHL game on 22 February 2020, where he played for the Carolina Hurricanes as an emerging backup goaltender against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carolina Hurricanes emergency goaltender David Ayres salutes the crowd after being named the first star of a game against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Feb. 22, 2020. Those fans who remained in the rink erupted with cheers. 'A perfect storm of disappointment': Analyzing the mental state of the flailing Maple Leafs, David Ayres, the 42-year-old emergency goaltender who helped the Carolina Hurricanes win an NHL game in Toronto, has become a sudden star, appearing on major U.S. networks. “They didn’t really give them much of a chance to shoot from anywhere, really.”. Ayres sealed the deal in the final stanza stopping all 7 shots he faced and was named the game’s first star with 8 saves on 10 shots. He was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 22 when they beat the Leafs. “I talked to Sheldon (Saturday) night,” Ayres said. Verrücktes Profi-Debüt in der NHL: David Ayres sitzt als Fan der Toronto Maple Leafs auf der Tribüne. Ayres, a Zamboni driver and building operations manager at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, stopped eight of 10 shots he faced in his NHL debut, helping the Hurricanes capture a 6 … Maple Leafs forward Pierre Engvall had just beaten Ayres, in net for the Carolina Hurricanes, with just under five minutes to play in the second period. That brought the Leafs to within a goal of the Hurricanes on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena, trailing 4-3, and likely everyone in the building figured only another shift or two stood between the Leafs and the tying goal, never mind an easy Leafs victory. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. Please try again. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press I'm really excited," he said. Grab your t … I didn’t even really watch the entire game. Played as an … Comments are welcome while open. Ayres has served as a backup to both the Toronto Marlies and Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League (AHL), the primary affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. Carolina Hurricanes emergency goaltender David Ayres was named the game's first star after the team beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 in Toronto on Saturday. And there was a chat with Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. Glad I saw this. This won’t surprise Leafs fans who came to admire Reimer during his tenure in Toronto: It was the ex-Leafs goalie who helped Ayres find mental stability before the third period. Highlights of David Ayres About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features © 2020 Google LLC David Ayres recalled his kidney transplant 15 years ago when he never thought he’d play hockey again. David Ayres is a Canadian ice resurfacer driver. Otherwise, the Leafs did not practice. Once he got a minute to check his phone, by Ayres’ estimation there were 160 congratulatory messages waiting for him. “That’s when I kind of soaked it all in and said to myself that ‘I’m okay, just calm down, relax, breathe, look around and have fun with it.’ I had to bear down.”. He turned his attention to aiding Ayres. 2800 2800 2800. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While the Hurricanes locked it down defensively in front of him, it still was a little bewildering the Leafs were unable to get more than 10 shots on him. “After the second goal, I looked up and I was like, ‘Oh please make a save here,’” Ayres said on Sunday. Everyone has been pretty receptive and I could not ask for much more.”. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Eishockey David Ayres: Vom Hausmeister zum NHL-Helden. Raleigh, N.C. has declared a 'David Ayres Day. Ayres will be in Carolina Tuesday for the Hurricanes' home game against the Dallas Stars. (THE CANADIAN PRESS), MIRACLE ON ICE: Emergency goalie and Hurricanes humiliate the Leafs, 'IT'S A BIG WIN': Maple Leafs finally show some life in blanking Penguins, tap here to see other videos from our team. David Ayres, 42, is the oldest goalie to win in his N.H.L. “It was tough loss for them, but he was happy for me. “So I thought I was getting the third star, and it was the first star. He was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 22 when they beat the Leafs. A little over an hour later Ayres was getting a water bottle shower and was named first star in a 6-3 win, and it was one of those things that never happens, almost never. (Veronica Henri, Toronto Sun), Emergency goaltender David Ayres skates a lap after being named the game’s first star. WATCH: David Ayres explains the whirlwind after his big win. "It's obviously something you don't think was going to happen, so it's great. Happy to see I heard wrong on TV. “That was the part that scared me the most for him was stepping out there (with 19,386 in attendance). David Ayres Talks To Toronto Media After First NHL Win | FULL Post-Game Sound - YouTube. The Canes ' newest legend als Fan der Toronto Maple Leafs auf der Tribüne wasn ’ t really give much. Of a playoff race for both teams the big stars of the once-in-a-lifetime moment dawned him... 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