Goaltender Garret Sparks made Toronto Maple Leafs history on Monday night when he made his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers. In a 3-0 Leafs win, he made 24 saves en route to his first career win and shutout. Not only was it a personal achievement though, as this marked the first time in franchise history that a Leafs goalie has posted a shutout in his first game in the NHL.
Garret Sparks: The first #Leafs goalie to record a shutout in his NHL debut. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/KK0R9v6TXv
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 1, 2015
Must See: Garret Sparks Posts Shutout in NHL Debut
The Leafs were structurally better than the Oilers, but certainly not dominant. Sparks had some considerable work to do to claim such an accolade. Head coach Mike Babcock had a lot to say about his young goalie after his performance:
“Good for the kid. Life’s about opportunity, and how you respond to that opportunity, and obviously he must have some swagger about him, some confidence about him, because he was solid, he made some good saves, he was 6’3” on every shot, which is a good thing for a goalie. He played well, and we got a win.”
Sparks himself was emotional after the game. When he was named the first star at the Air Canada Centre, he skated out to raucous cheering. In front of 19,559 fans, he was left speechless. “I can’t even describe it” was the only phrase he could manage, before being overcome and tearing up. Back in the dressing room he had a little more to say, joking “It all went according to plan.”
It’s been an incredible journey for the 22-year-old Sparks. Since 2013 he’s bounced between leagues a lot. Last year, he only played 2 games for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, spending most of his time down in the ECHL with the Orlando Solar Bears (and maintaining a .936 save percentage there). This season, he’s had a resurgence, claiming the Marlies’ starting job after a brief battle with Antoine Bibeau, and currently has the second-best save percentage in the AHL with .938—although that may become irrelevant, as Sparks is slated to stay with the Leafs for a while, according to Babcock.
Sparks got his break in the NHL through James Reimer’s unfortunate injury and Jonathan Bernier’s unfortunate performance. However, that’s often how goalies make it into the league, and the Leafs are likely pleased with this turn of events. Unless Reimer is fit to play in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Sparks is slated to start again.
Bonus: Joe Bowen’s emotional radio call of Sparks’ victory
LISTEN: Joe Bowen’s call of Garret Sparks’ historic shutout. #TMLTalk pic.twitter.com/OzgDi0Wapi
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) December 1, 2015
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