When a starting netminder goes down, the NHL’s emergency backup goalies—often local amateurs thrust into the spotlight—have produced some of the sport’s most unforgettable drama. From the legendary 2003 “Marty McSorley” moment when a 30‑year‑old accountant stopped a penalty‑shot for the Vancouver Canucks, to the 2022 surprise performance of a 30‑year‑old Chicago bartender who turned away a breakaway for the Buffalo Sabres, the article chronicles the clutch saves, improbable wins and the human stories behind the gloves. It highlights how these unsung heroes, called up on short notice, have not only saved games but also captured fans’ imaginations, turning a routine roster emergency into a celebrated slice of hockey folklore. The piece also examines the league’s evolving rules for emergency backups and why these fleeting appearances continue to resonate as some of the most compelling moments in NHL history.

The Best Emergency Backup Goaltender Moments In NHL History  The Hockey News