Zamboni Driver Becomes Emergency Goalie, Beats The Team He Works For!

This is a clip from The Pat McAfee Show presented by Westwood One.
MERCH: store.patmcafeeshow.com
Use Promo Code "PayTheBills" and get $20 off your first SeatGeek purchase.

[@Kaptaintrips2831]

Thirty years from now, people are still going to be teasing Leaf fans about how their team lost to a zamboni driver.

[@MavenFade]

*their own zamboni driver

[@johndilig6719]

@@MavenFade "lost to their own zamboni driver" - the nail in the coffin of this whole story...

[@jessegonzo3010]

As a habs fan u know I will be!

[@SuperHamrick94]

not just A zamboni driver, THEIR zamboni driver

[@jeffwarren1242]

@@MavenFade ** their minor league zamboni driver

[@iamchillydogg]

But what about the emergency zamboni driver that had to cover for him?

[@jessegonzo3010]

Guessing someone else was promoted to 'the zamboni big league 'for 2 periods. Awesome story...

[@JamesJamersonIsAGod]

Touché, a lowly broom-man or maybe a “boards-re-attacher-man” also had the night of his life 😆

[@sth02]

Underrated

[@control_the_pet_population]

The minor league team suffered seven sprained ankles that night as nobody was there to resurface the ice between periods....

[@cxh6779]

iamchillydogg lmao imagine if he still had to drive the zamboni between periods(in full gear) and after the game 😂

[@kevinkarbonik2928]

Who cleaned the ice at intermission? "Hey... anyone know how to drive a zamboni?"

[@andrewcantor-wagner4492]

Random accountant in the crowd: "finally! This is my moment! I used to drive Zamboni back in high school!"

[@davyt0247]

The regular guy, David is the Zamboni driver for the leafs minor affiliate

[@edboy484]

Emergency backup zamboni driver

[@zanedavid1]

Actually - He did ... pads and all.

[@nicholasbenge9497]

@@davyt0247 he also helps in the Scotiabank Arena as an extra hand (most teams use 2-3 Zambonis each with their own driver to help resurface quick). Also, he’s there anyway as the emergency goalie.

[@DChappelle27]

David Ayers was told he would never drive Zamboni in the NHL for the Leafs. Told he was never going to be good enough to clean the ice after the big boys were done carving it up. Then, on one magical night, everything would change forever...

[@kimchi2780]

Those first two goals were tough shots too. The first shot he was screened and most goalies would have struggled with it. The second shot was not his fault and only the best would have stopped it. The defense let the rebound go straight to the Leafs and he had no chance to stop it. People also forget to mention Ayers set up a GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He played the puck, threw it around the net, and it led to a break and goal!

[@bernardomontesdeoca130]

I was just about to say that. Those two shots were not as easy as the media says

[@ethanmaxwell9217]

Kim Chi First shot, I think it’s expected an NHL goalie saves that one. Second shot though, no ones saving that

[@a-hvlogs2046]

That five hole goal was a hard one to stop

[@matthewrichard9158]

Kim Chi just being honest ive taken shots against swiss pros but. Nhl goalies stop both those goals because he had a very late reaction to JT shot and didnt look around the screen and the 2nd was his own rebound fault. Im not trying to take anything away from him because id love to be put in that situation and its his moment but neither goal should have went in

[@howardbaxter2514]

@@ethanmaxwell9217 only elite goalies could make that save. Key word, COULD. You are talking about the best of the damn best goalies on this Earth having only a slightly better than none of making a save on that second goal.

[@bigsmoke8435]

I can’t believe I’m a fan of this joke ass franchise known as the Toronto Maple Laughs

[@liammiddleton3064]

all the way from san Andreas

[@JiraiyaTheGallant44]

The same reason I am a Red Wings fan; they used to be really good, grew up watching them be good, and now it sucks to like them.

[@beans6232]

@@JiraiyaTheGallant44 I’m a Blackhawks fan but man the league is so much better when u guys are good

[@kylefast9650]

A zombie driver and an accountant, the best goalies in nhl history

[@kylefast9650]

Raniere I agree, foster had that great save on the 1 timer in front of the goal. That’s a play that people usually score on, Ayres is a great story but didn’t look good

[@soulessshadow5356]

@Raniere You have to keep in mind too, this wasn't Foster's first time as Em backup goalie, but Ayre's hasn't played in goal in a very very long time(04 I believe) and all things considering, yeah the Leafs shit the bed, but Ayre's did stop 8 for 10. Credit for that ya know, I'd love to see any of these keyboard warriors online(not any of y'all, more the one's on twitter) get in net as a NHL goalie and stop 8 for 10. As a minor/beer league goalie, I couldn't do it.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

A zombie driver? Either autocorrect is generating hilarity or this story just got even more interesting.

[@MyName_Jeff]

@@soulessshadow5356 Ayres has been a practice goalie for the Leafs and Marlies for a while tho... So he actually had some NHL level experience, Foster didn't.

[@hagamapama]

@@palaceofwisdom9448 I missed that. Yeah awesome, Ayres the zombie driver

[@kevinzehn1540]

Also very important to note that he registered a shot on net. It happened 4 mins into the third. At that point, the Leafs did not yet record a shot on net in the period. So an emergency goalie recorded a shot faster than the entire Leafs offense did in the 3rd period. The Leafs really need to get their shit together since their whole team is built on being an offensive juggernaut. Can't win a game when you barely have any shots on net, especially when it's against an emergency goalie.

[@howardbaxter2514]

Do you know where I can find a clip of that

[@matthewmartin7639]

I also love how he had to use old leafs/marlies gear except for the Jersey. Which they had to make right there on the fly. And then in intermission they gave him some red pants to change into.

[@billt8504]

I don't know about the first goal he let in, but that second one was probably not going to be stopped by 95% of the NHL goalies out there. That was just good passing by the Leafs. Also, not sure who the Leafs coach is but at the second intermission I would have told my guys "shoot the puck on at the net every chance you get. I want that guy facing 50 shots in the 3rd." Not sure what coach said but that didn't happen.

[@carolinasport1315]

He later stated he thought the Toronto player was going high, instead of sneaking it under the pad.

[@tygrkhat4087]

The Hurricanes played a smothering defense in the 3rd Period, the Leafs were lucky to get 8 shots.

[@gorillaman283]

Breaking News: Bill Belichick has just signed the zamboni driver, as a safety, to a 2-year contract

[@agent7861]

Gorilla Man He’ll come in and get 8 picks and MVP, knowing Bill.

[@gadgetgangster]

Pat “By the Way” McAfee

[@leafsfan1539]

gadgetgangster underrated comment right here

[@timothyoneil5447]

I know the title looks better, but David Ayres was a zamboni driver 5 years ago. He is now an operations manager for a facility. And he coaches a youth team. And practice goalie for the Leafs and Marlies, And a father of 3. And an overall really great guy. Just saying... love this story

[@danyarwood1432]

He is literally part of nhl history!!

[@jessegonzo3010]

This is just the best story. Love our game!

[@HaploPrime]

Those first 2 shots were not easy shots.

[@howardbaxter2514]

1st one he could've saved. Would have been difficult, but he could've saved it. The second shot was near impossible to save.

[@Christoph5782]

howard baxter I want to say the opposite. The first one is a well placed shot with traffic in front. Every goalie in the league has let that kind of goal in at some point this season. The second one, it almost looked like he didn't know what to do with his glove or have the mobility to get to the puck, I'd say most goalies in the league would at least get a piece of the puck. That being said, it was still a hell of a performance by him and the Canes, and a complete joke of an effort from the Leafs

[@Awesometrax]

The second goal wouldn't have been stopped by Carey Price never mind an emergency goalie. I didn't blame him on that goal but then he shut the door.

[@1995Hausmeister]

@@Christoph5782 the second goal was really unfortunate. It bounced off a Defender right infront of him and landed right on the stick of the Toronto Player. Not a lot he can do imo.

[@hagamapama]

No they weren't all that easy. An NHL goalie should have a chance at the first goal but I've seen those kinds of shots find a hole enough times to know that it's not THAT easy to stop them. And that's without figuring that that was the first shot Ayres ever faced against NFL level competition. The second shot was simply a good triangle goal. The whole point of that play was to neutralize the goaltender. The only goalie who I have seen routinely save shots like that is Tim Thomas in his very brief heyday.

[@TheRealParker]

Pat this is an excellent take on a sports story...well done

[@frostypenguin2888]

Ooh I love when pat does hockey

[@ALSmith-zz4yy]

Funny thing is, if he hadn't let in those 2 goals he wouldn't have gotten the win. He was in the game when the winning goal was scored.

[@fouronetwo813]

The zamBONE

[@tylervandergriendt5427]

The guy had a kidney transplant in 2004, makes his story that much better.

[@isaacwest276]

I love it when one of my favourite sports talks about my other favourite sport.

[@blakeley38]

Omg pat is talking about hockey 👍👍👍🇨🇦

[@supaflyyowen]

This need to become a movie *ASAP* like this so it the right person sees this

[@rowdyrebel5820]

Both these teams are fighting for the playoffs also so if the hurricanes end up getting in over Toronto because of these 2 pts it will make this story even crazier.

[@xczechr]

This is what makes hockey a great sport.

[@CC-pi6gm]

First goal was easy, second wouldn’t have been stopped by most pro goalies! Awesome Ayers!!!!

[@Jamzkee84]

We need a movie! They don’t even need to change anything! The drama is all there.

[@jeffwarren1242]

Miracle still happen.

[@andrewnixon7115]

Hockey needs more love!

[@therealdeal1138]

The goals he let in were even crappy ones at best too. A low on ice slap shot that was screened very good by one of his players and a really awful pinball goal that was deflected out wide where he was caught out of position. Tbh he did ok. Then again it *WAS* against the leafs. The greatest "cup contender" there is in the league.

[@Wanys123]

To be honest, the second shot Ayres "let" in would propably go in even if Mrázek or Reimer were in the net.

[@crynzd]

*Still a allowed goal!*

[@StonedSpagooter]

Fuckin Pat man 😂"That zamboni story, this zamboni story"

[@bradbengel917]

What’s funny is that Disney is looking at this concept for a movie now. 😂

[@edboy484]

David Ayres has more wins in Toronto than Roberto Luongo. Lu is third all time in wins and Ayres still managed to do something a three time Vezina finalist never did

[@dougersonify]

For a fact he did a victory lap on his Zamboni later that night

[@rossedwardmiller]

It’s a hockey story, not a Zamboni story. Thanks Pat

[@LoSTRaMaiR]

0:08 Shannon is The Hockey Guy

[@dominicgomez3982]

You lost to a Zamboni driver :Steve Dangle

[@mr.thekidd498]

Good shit.

[@Givens43]

So this is what it takes to get Pat to talk about hockey.

[@BerryMckHawkener]

Wow....Tyson Fury being +420 is pretty damn great.

[@IPlayToWin]

As a Hurricanes fan, I thought we were screwed after Mrazek got hurt. Boy I'm glad I was wrong

[@lansvale28]

I like watching the sport but don’t understand the finer details. Is goalie such a different skill set that reserved from other positions in your team couldn’t fill in? Is it super rare to have two goalies out at the same time, or was it a last minute injury? Just can’t imagine why they wouldn’t fly someone from their own area. Couldn’t there be a conflict of interest if the goalie is employed by the opposing team. Complicated!

[@joshatkinson1945]

I can’t wait for the sorts center story

[@luisvillasenor6310]

They are going to make a movie in a couple years about this.

[@MrNLAV]

Same thing happened with Scott Foster with the Chicago Blackhawks last year.

[@FreshTillDeath56]

Nik Lav scott foster the LEGEND

[@videochannel5183]

Pat's getting big

[@dhennessey1970]

You forgot to mention that's he's a kidney transplant survivor. The money for his shirt is being donated to a kidney transplant charity in the NC area.

[@MahaneyMedia]

The black hawks had to do the same thing a year or two ago

[@GJ71642]

Scott Foster was 2018

[@thatboy3930]

This definitely has some Netflix movie vibes to it

[@Zeffers716]

I like how they already had a jersey ready to go for him

[@drdrew3]

They DIDN’T have a jersey ready. There’s a still photo of some equipment guy sewing letters on in a back room. They were so unprepared that he played second period in jersey for one team and pants for the other.

[@johnathanlopez9380]

Amazing

[@patrickoneill6304]

Can we get a follow up story. Who was the backup zamboni driver.....

[@mikehunt9894]

Little known fact: he had one shot on net as well. Haha.

[@kewlirl2654]

I love hockey rules lmao

[@tommclarty17]

Can’t really blame him on the Tavares goal, he was screened.

[@obsidian00]

As a life long Leafer...this one really hurts :-(

[@ogreman-lll-957]

Crazy

[@joshshermeyer9012]

2:53 ur welcome

[@michaelgregory8697]

Bruh imagine if that was game 7 of the Stanley cup finals lol

[@GregoryWeagle]

David Ayres at the time was in fact affiliated with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL which is the Carolina Hurricanes farm team as of Feb 1st, 2020, 22 days before the legendary moment. So, this actually makes sense that he would play for Carolina. He never played a game for the Checkers nor the Marlies (which he was affiliated with on December 5th, 2015- Feb. 27th, 2016) and lost all his games in the beer leagues allowing almost nine goals a game on average.

[@rushore1]

He wasn't really affiliated with the Checkers. He functioned in the same capacity for the Marlies as he did for the Leafs as the EBUG. When the Checkers came to Toronto, he ended up having to suit up for them because the starter went down, but he never ended up playing in that game.

[@icebreaker1264]

As a leaf fan i am fine we will win a series go zamboni

[@icebreaker1264]

Nah we lost

[@Who_Am_I_d.i.y.ryanpanana1349]

If he went down the zombonie had to cover for him.

[@Nope99856]

As a very competitive, washed up, beer league tender myself. This would be my dream. Unfortunately for that dream, i live in Alaska and it will never happen.

[@johnkoho1245]

This happens like every year.

[@drdrew3]

It happened just 2 years ago so it sounds familiar. But this particular occurrence was the longest playing time and the guys backstory and personality made it unique.

[@logan_page]

A zamboni driver and accountant skate into a hockey goal...

[@blank_stare_productions]

I'd hate to be the backup zambone driver lol.

[@Mustangkid29]

Vince papale!

[@ibefullofme]

The Kidney thing is because he had to have a transplant 15 years ago and wasn't sure he'd actually be able to play again, or something similar

[@davidedwards3838]

He practices with the leafs and the Mar's. It's not like he is just a Zamboni driver.

[@Walker-ry1mx]

We need this in MLB. A game goes into extras and you have already run the bullpen empty? Throw joe shmoe on the mound to toss a couple of 2 seamers at a whopping 55 mph. Or even better, run out of pinch hitters and put somebody from the coaching staff or front office up to take a couple of hacks at aroldis Chapman’s 102 or a mean slider.

[@Yournewdaddy420]

Love it

[@rosstaylor71]

Real life Forrest Gump

[@jamesriddle7793]

"Easy goals"

[@tomthumb1322]

Wonder if he had himself in his fantasy league lol

[@tagootuesday6521]

I’m from New Orleans, so hockey isn’t an option to me. Don’t know a thing about the sport lol but I fucking love this story

[@tkbuffalogaming]

The guy had a kidney transplant, years ago... good to see he's donating the money to the local charity

[@micah_lee]

Lets go canes!!!

[@shabut]

EnDs The CLiP StiLL tAlKiNg aBouT It...

[@adamkesselmayer1143]

I’m sure this is gonna be a stupid question. But David Ayers worked for Toronto. The other team had their goalies get hurt so David Ayers stepped in. How did they have a jersey made up with his name so quickly lol

[@sportsjefe]

That's how good team equipment managers are at their jobs. They carry around extra jerseys and letters and every arena has heat presses, boom, instant jersey ready to go.

[@BrandonsSportsTalk]

I love your podcast I look up to you and love what u feature I have a podcast that I made looking up too your podcast.

[@642lin]

The NFL needs to try this with punters or something

[@MetalMann-de3xi]

A waterboy 🤔

[@AcessDBpro]

Alternative universe headline: "Maple Leaf's Employee Fired for Causing Loss of Game against Carolina"

[@PatFrenchLeafsFan1]

Mine: Don Cherry Criticized for Anti-Catholics Remark After Leafs Zamboni Rant

[@thegreatsun6571]

Good sh*t

[@GP-ed2ch]

Caniac ❤️🖤❤️🖤

[@bonn1771]

he did awesome and he not a full time driver anymore

[@Kylegolfs94]

I'm from Toronto and the only good thing about the leafs is talking shit to the leafs fans who still hold on xD

[@jasonbarrett2926]

You know this story is embarrassing for leafs fans when the best football podcast puts it on the show🙃 fml

[@michaelstefano2359]

Can you believe those cheap asses only paid him $500 for that????? I’d have told them, pay me $10,000 or I’m not doing it. 🤣

[@corsid97]

A good name for a hockey podcast is "hockey talkie"

[@panthersfan8494]

Or spittin chiclets lol

[@corsid97]

@@panthersfan8494 I mean there can be more than one podcast right?

[@paulnewstead9693]

This guy will never have to buy his morning Tim Hortons ever again.

[@kevinthejuice]

Apparently every NHL stadium has a designated emergency goalie. I say if you're gonna make a movie make it about the secret society of emergency goalies. Then cheese it tf up with spy kids 2 graphics, probably bring in adam sandler to play as happy gilmore

[@msders]

I need that jersey

[@ojosmacabros]

Hockey the greatest sport in the world

[@lancemilliken9078]

Agreed

[@ras6298]

The reason he is donating to a kidney foundation is because he had a kidney transplant years ago, from his own mother. Truly an unbelievable story

[@cris-99]

once we win the cup no will remember this shit just watch lol

[@howardbaxter2514]

No, EVERYONE will remember this shit. Just like how just because UVA won the Natty last year, doesn't negate how they got smacked by a 16 seed the year prior.

[@cris-99]

@@howardbaxter2514 LOL its the regular season buddy, im pretty sure no gives a fuck about a regular season game come on now

[@dameme4499]

The zamboni driver does a good Job but the leafs loose against them cause the Defensmans of Huricanes were so strong so the leafs did a few shots but that’s all.

[@kud5659]

lol I think goalies should be allowed to get plowed if they are going to be out of their crease. Stay in the damn crease or become part of the play.

[@mrbriggs3074]

Years ago, the goalie was fair game outside of the crease!

[@jennamakesbugs]

Ayers is a kidney transplant recipient and wishes donations to be made to a kidney foundation, though I have not heard if he's chosen a particular foundation yet.