Rangers’ Emergency Goalie Was Watching Game on Sofa Before Getting the Call

December 18th, 2015 by Vanessa de Beaumont Leave a reply »

Always be ready.

Coaches harp on the concept constantly, but partway through the New York Rangers-Minnesota Wild matchup last night, semi-pro goalie Santino Vasquez exemplified the notion when he got a call from the Wild—while sitting on his couch.

Rangers starter Antti Raanta left the game with 6:11 remaining in the first period after a slap shot hit him in the forehead. Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who was supposed to have the night off, had to step in. That left the Rangers sorely in need of reinforcement netminders.

Every NHL team is required to make an emergency backup goalie available to visiting teams. The Wild asked Vasquez a month ago to be the designated on-call man.

Thus, Kirk Olson, the Wild's strength and conditioning coach and house goalie manager, reached out to Vasquez. The former Hamline University reserve, who had been watching the game at home, hurriedly made his way to the Xcel Energy Center.

According to the Pioneer Press, Vasquez nev ...

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