It was the morning of February 22nd, 2020. The Carolina Hurricanes had just lost to the Rangers at home in PNC Arena, 5-2. The usual bottom-feeding Rangers had won six out of their last seven games. The Hurricanes were sixth in the Metropolitan, and the Rangers were seventh. The Hurricanes pack up their bags and headed North to Toronto.

Now, before I get into the story, the Hurricanes had two great goalies. The goalies were James Reimer and Petr Mrazek. Neither of which, had a history of troubling injuries- aside from Petr Mrazek getting punched in the throat in December of 2019, but that’s a story for another day- and they both were playing at an amazing level. Let’s continue.

The Hurricanes got to Toronto and had a skate in the practice facility. Petr Mrazek and James Reimer took their turns blocking shots, and they wrapped up the session for lunch. After lunch, they completed a light workout to get ready for the game later that night. T-minus one hour and 30 minutes until game time, the Canes headed into the locker room and got their gear on.

The star-powered top line of offense for the Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner (left), Auston Matthews (middle), and John Tavares (right). (via 570 news) — **The star-powered top line of offense for the Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner (left), Auston Matthews (middle), and John Tavares (right).** (via 570 news)

Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were having a terrific season, with a 32-22-8 record (72 points). They sat as the third-place team in their division with a playoff birth in hand. Their top line included John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner. If you don’t follow hockey much, it’s like having James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant. Their defense was okay, but the solid Hurricanes' offense might have been too much.

The Hurricanes sat at sixth in their division with a record of 34-22-4 and 72 points. Yes, the Hurricanes were 6th in their division with the same amount of points as the Maple Leafs who were third in their division. They were a solid team with Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Andrei Svechnikov on their top line. The Hurricanes’ main strength was their defense (Dougie Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin, plus Mrazek was usually in net) matched with their offense, forming an all-around great team.

The puck dropped. The Hurricanes looked to be in control from the start, taking shot after shot on Frederik Andersen. Then it happened. James Reimer, who was giving Mrazek the night off, got hurt. No big deal, right? Goalies get hurt all the time, so Mrazek would just have to finish the game. Mrazek does well until late in the period, with 36 seconds left on the clock, Alexander Kerfoot scored. The game started picking up in the 2nd period. The Hurricanes scored at 14:14 and again at 10:07 (This time on a powerplay). The Canes continued to put on a clinic after Warren Foegele scored. It was 3-1 Hurricanes, with 8:41 left in the second period. Then, the unthinkable happened. Petr Mrazek looked to grab a loose puck, and Kyle Clifford annihilated him. Mrazek laid on the ground, withering in pain while holding his head. The medical staff rushed onto the ice, the referee stopped the game, and Kyle Clifford was given a penalty for charging.

Kyle Clifford (left) lays a nasty hit on Petr Mrazek (right), knocking Mrazek out of the game. (via Raleigh News & Observer) — **Kyle Clifford (left) lays a nasty hit on Petr Mrazek (right), knocking Mrazek out of the game.** (via Raleigh News & Observer)

What happened next? The Hurricanes’ two goalies were both injured, but now who will get in the net. The announcers got the name. Ayres. David Ayres. David Ayres, at the time, was a 42-year-old operations manager for the Toronto Marlies and the Canes emergency backup goalie. He entered the game with a Toronto Maple Leafs shirt under his number 90 jersey. It was troubling for Hurricanes fans to see. How was he supposed to win the game? How would they know he won’t “Throw the game” because he was in a Toronto Maple Leafs system? Their fears come true.

David Ayres glides onto the ice and a couple of Canes players confront him, looking to calm Ayres’s nerves. They get into position and the puck drops once again. The adrenaline-filled Hurricanes seize their power play opportunity, with Teuvo Teravainen scoring. Once the Maple Leafs get to full strength, the Canes are in trouble. “John Tavares up the ice, he shoots, HE SCORES! MAPLE LEAFS SCORE AGAIN TO MAKE IT 4-2!”. David Ayres looks shook as the first shot taken on him is a goal, and it happens again. “Tyson Barrie takes it up the ice, he going to shoot, blocked by Jake Gardiner, Pierre Engvall takes it, HE SCORES! MAPLE LEAFS SCORE AGAIN! DAVID AYRES LETS IT IN AND THE LEAD IS NOW ONE!”. The Hurricanes look beat. They had a 4-1 lead at one point in the night, but now it is 4-3. David Ayres shakes his head, disappointed at his performance so far.

The Canes meet together and make an agreement that they should play as hard as they can to keep the puck away from Ayres and not let the Leafs take advantage. It works as David Ayres only faces one shot before the second intermission. The Hurricanes take a deep sigh of relief. They head onto the ice for one last period. The Leafs look energetic, with a win looking very close. But the Hurricanes will not allow it. 53 seconds into the period Warren Foegele scores, pushing the Hurricanes lead up to 5-3. Auston Matthews gets two dangerous chances but Ayres uses the pads to get the saves. Not even 20 seconds later does Marty Necas the rookie have a goal.

David Ayres skates onto the ice before the start of the third period. (via New York Post) — **David Ayres skates onto the ice before the start of the third period.** (via New York Post)

The Hurricanes now lead 6-3. David Ayres has confidence, and he blocks another shot. Then another. Soon there are five minutes left, and the Leafs are frustrated. David Ayres has faced eight shots, and two have gone in. Ayres turns down a shot. The Leafs frantically try to move to the puck up the ice, and Kyle Clifford gets one last shot on Ayres which Ayres stops. AND THE FINAL HORN SOUNDS! DAVID AYRES HAS WON THE GAME! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!

David Ayres will now be remembered forever for his performance that night, one year ago today. He had a night where the Hurricanes honored him on their next home game. He cranked the Storm Siren and signed autographs. David Ayres didn’t get paid for the game due to contract troubles, but the Hurricanes players pooled together some money for him.

What is the moral of the story? You won’t always be the hero. Sometimes people are doing behind-the-scenes stuff to make you look good. The Carolina Hurricanes stepped up and defended well, and David Ayres didn’t have to face many shots. Goalies usually face from 30-40 shots a game, and David Ayres played about half of it. He should have faced about 15-20 shots if not for the amazing defense of the Carolina Hurricanes. But they don’t care. After all, it’s fun to let the new guy have the spotlight.

David Ayres is now immortalized in Hurricanes history (via USA Today) — **David Ayres is now immortalized in Hurricanes history** (via USA Today)

One thing you might find in a Hurricanes fan’s closet, in front of their replica 2006 Stanley Cup trophy, is the number 90 jersey of David Ayres. To remember the night that Hurricanes fans will never forget, February 22nd, 2020.