By Canadian Press

Hurricanes to bring emergency backup goalie Ayers to Raleigh for game

Feb 23, 2020 | 12:24 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t done with David Ayers just yet.

Ayres, a 42-year-old Zamboni driver for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, was forced to be Carolina’s emergency goalie for its road game Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ayers, of Whitby, Ont., stopped eight-of-10 shots he faced in his NHL debut, helping the Hurricanes capture a 6-3 victory.

Afterward, he was named the game’s first star. Ayers came into the game in the second period after injuries to regular netminders James Reimer and Petr Mrazek.

On Sunday, the Hurricanes announced that Ayers will be present for their home game Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars.

“See you Tuesday, Davey!” the club said on its Twitter account. “Ayres will be in the building on Tuesday and will be our @VectorSecurity Siren Sounder!”

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After the win over Toronto, the Hurricanes provided a video of Ayers being showered by Carolina players when he came into the team’s dressing room. And head coach Rod Brind’Amour praised both Ayers and his team for their efforts.

“It’s not often in a game that you get tied to a great memory,” he said. “All you have is the memories you’ve got and you guys just gave me one, you gave each other one.

“But it’s a memory I’m going to have forever, the way you guys played in that third period for you (pointing to Ayers) and the way you (Ayers) played for us.”

The Canadian Press