NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO (AP) — Emergency backup goalie Dave Ayres made eight saves in relief of Carolina’s two injured netminders in the Hurricanes’ 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 42-year-old Ayres works as a Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. He has been a practice goalie with the Leafs and as the emergency goalie for Saturday night’s game, he was available to either team if needed. He was forced into action for the Hurricanes midway through the second period after Carolina’s James Reimer and Petr Mrazek were injured. The Hurricanes were leading 3-1 when the Ayres took over. He became the oldest goalie in NHL history to win his regular-season debut.
Carolina Hurricanes Recall Two Goaltenders After Losing Reimer, Mrazek
The Carolina Hurricanes recalled goaltenders Anton Forsberg and Alex Nedeljkovic from their American Hockey League affiliate after losing two goaltenders to injury and relying on an on-call emergency goalie on Saturday night during their game against Toronto. The Hurricanes announced the move Sunday, after they l
ost James Reimer and Petr Mrazek to injuries the night before, forcing them to use 42-year-old David Ayres in net to finish the 6-3 win.
27-year-old Forsberg has posted a 15-9-2 record with a 2.95 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage in 27 appearances with the Charlotte Checkers this year. The Hurricanes acquired Forsberg in a trade last June
24-year-old Nedeljkovic has posted a 15-10-2 record, 2.51 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage with four shutouts in 28 appearances with the Checkers this year. The Hurricanes selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft.
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