Emergency backup situations are one of the magical rarities in hockey that let an everyday individual become an NHL player for a fleeting moment. 

Tonight, in the Canes game versus the Maple Leafs, 42-year-old David Ayres got the nod to head between the pipes for the Carolina Hurricanes when both Petr Mrázek and James Reimer left the game injured. Ayres played Jr. B, and attended pro camps around North America before having to have a kidney transplant in 2004. Since then, he's been the Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies and at the Mattamy Athletic Center, practicing with the Marlies from time to time, and playing for the Leafs in their outdoor practice this season. 

After a shaky start, Ayres settled in, and he made eight saves to pull off a win over the Maple Leafs. 

Twitter chaos ensued. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now this is hockey. 

H/T: Twitter