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Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Insane Road Win vs. Toronto

By Matthew Nidiffer

TORONTO,ON - DECEMBER 19: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 8-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - DECEMBER 19: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 8-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 11: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes in goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 11: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes in goal against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. David. Freaking. Ayres.

(Obviously that image is of Petr Mrazek, and not David Ayres. Read previous disclaimer. Sorry.)

This man has firmly cemented his place in Carolina Hurricanes history.

The 42-year old kidney transplant survivor and zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies singlehandedly spurred the Carolina Hurricanes’ defense (what was left of it) to action, and they played like I haven’t seen them play in an incredibly long time.

From an outsider’s perspective, that game looked just like a Game 7 in the playoffs, from both the Carolina Hurricanes’ and Toronto Maple Leafs’ perspective (lol), and all it took was losing James Reimer, Petr Mrazek, and Brett Pesce in the same game.

If the Carolina Hurricanes don’t have this man come sound the siren at the very next home game, I will be livid. The Canes, almost immediately after the conclusion of last night’s game, made David Ayres ‘shirseys’ available for purchase; not to worry, Ayres will be receiving royalties, and is even working with the Canes to donate a portion of the proceeds to a kidney foundation of his choice.

David Ayres, the Great Number 90, is easily the best story to come from this team in a very long time, and is quite easily the best story in the league so far. The man got to live out his childhood dream, be a savior to a team in the middle of a playoff push, become a Twitter hero, and break an NHL record, all in the same night.

The record in question is this: David Ayres is the first emergency backup goalie (EBUG) in league history to EVER be credited with a win. That’s right, you read that correctly. David Ayres’ NHL career record is, and more than likely forever will be, 1-0-0, with a GAA of 4.18, and a save percentage of .800. What an absolute legend.

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