Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid regularly fills out the score sheet, but on Saturday he instead helped emergency goaltender Matthew Berlin add a page to his memento book.
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Berlin, who was in a third season as a reserve goalie for the Oilers, was called upon to back up Jack Campbell for the game against the Chicago Blackhawks after Stuart Skinner said he was ill.
The 25-year-old, who is currently in his third season at the University of Alberta, initially thought he would watch the game from the stands after signing an emergency amateur contract. But a few hours before the game he was told he would be much closer to the action.
“I sat there doing my homework and my heart rate went up,” the star of the day said, according to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) official website. It was a hectic day of preparation but it was amazing. Everyone was so welcoming here – the players, the staff, everyone. It was wonderful. I was studying for a psychology midterm…”
cool time
Certainly, the bench warm-up is already a remarkable event for an athlete whose chances of earning his place as a regular in the NHL are all but non-existent. After all, he is currently the third most frequently used goalkeeper in the Golden Bears.
But with a 7:3 lead, McDavid offered to send Berlin into the fray. An offer head coach Jay Woodcroft quickly agreed to, calling the rookie with just under three minutes to go.
“We didn’t mean to disrespect Chicago, we just wanted to give someone who was here a cool time. [en lui offrant] a moment in the NHL, McDavid said. He is still young and plays for a good program in [Alberta]and maybe one day we’ll see it in the league.
Berlin parried at the expense of Caleb Jones, much to the delight of the crowd gathered at Rogers Place.
Proud
But if the moment is great for Berlin, Woodcroft has rather enjoyed the team spirit that reigns at his club and that has made this situation possible.
“First of all, it comes from the players,” specifies the pilot. We just wanted to give someone an opportunity that they will remember for the rest of their life.”
“I was proud of our team that made this decision. Campbell came on the bench during the commercial break, we told him what we were going to do and he was in for it. He was so happy for him and the opportunity presented itself. We did, and it’s good for the young man that he survived. I’m sure he will cherish that memory for the rest of his life.”