Toronto Maple Leafs Play Emergency Goalie Jett Alexander In NHL Game

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: Jett Alexander #40 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets into his 1st NHL game with a little over a minute left against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 8, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 7-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: Jett Alexander #40 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets into his 1st NHL game with a little over a minute left against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 8, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 7-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

On Saturday night the Toronto Maple Leafs absolutely manhandled a Montreal Canadiens team that was made up of several, at best, fringe NHL players.

After the first period the Toronto Maple Leafs went up 2-0 thanks to outshooting their opponent 18-1.

The second period saw the Leafs increase their lead 4-1, again outshooting their opponents and then put the game away 7-1 in the third period. 

Auston Matthews led the way with a four point performance, while Ryan O’Reilly and Mitch Marner each collected three points.

Toronto Maple Leafs Play Emergency Goalie

Prior to the game it was announced that Matt Murray was unable to serve as the back-up and as such, General Manager Kyle Dubas signed University of Toronto goalie Jett Alexander to an Amateur Try-Out (ATO).

The 23-year old spent four seasons playing in Junior A hockey in the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he posted a 59-27-1 record with a 2.27 GAA and .932 Save Percentage.

Whenever there is the announcement of an Emergency Back-Up Goalie (EBUG) there is the thoughts of, what if he gets an opportunity to get into the game?

Thoughts tend to cross fans minds of what if that was me, just sitting on the bench would be exciting, but getting an opportunity to step on the ice  just seems like a fantasy.  People tend to put themselves into the EBUG’s mindset and romanticize about the situation.

Saturday night, with just over a minute left to go in the game and the Maple Leafs up 7-1 coach Sheldon Keefe, who later stated the call came in from above, put Alexander into the game to a standing ovation from the crowd at Scotia Bank Arena.

Once the final 70 seconds had expired, Alexander got to celebrate the win with the rest of his teammates at the Toronto Maple Leafs goal crease.

While most people find this a feel good story, it is not unanimous opinion as Montreal Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman stated after the game “They’ll get what they deserve in a few weeks”, which is believed to be in reference to expectation that the Maple Leafs will be knocked out of the playoffs.

Damien Cox tweeted out after the game “If the Leafs want to behave like they did tonight by playing the UofT goalie for no reason and running up the score with their stars on a late pp, they better win.”

Steve Warne of TSN stated “There’s an etiquette to how you treat an NHL opponent in a blowout.  You don’t put your top power play out there late in the game just for fun.  You don’t put your top center on defense just for fun.  And you don’t put your emergency goalie in just for fun.  Respect them to the end”.

While I agree, you want to respect your opponent to the end, I don’t find in any way putting Alexander in net disrespectful, but of course this is just one opinion.  This is a feel good story and unlikely to draw any attention from Hollywood for a movie, but nonetheless something most fans can get behind.

What is more disrespectful to the game is the constant tanking and putting subpar NHL teams out on the ice when fan are paying hundreds of dollars to watch, but hey, that is what gives guys like Chris Wideman an opportunity to play in the league.

Congratulations to Alexander on making his NHL debut, even if it was for just over one minute it will be something he will never forget and other fans and beer league players will think what if that was me.