The goalie carousel spins on. Garret Sparks has been called up to the NHL and is on his way to Ottawa. No one knows why yet, however.
The @MapleLeafs have recalled goaltender Garret Sparks from the @TorontoMarlies. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 14, 2017
Sparks dressed last night in Syracuse as the backup in the Marlies game versus the Crunch. Antoine Bibeau was the goalie who faced 33 shots on goal in the 5-4 defeat.
The Leafs are playing the second of a back-to-back this evening and were expected to start newcomer Curtis McElhinney.
Babcock confirms that Curtis McElhinney will make his Leafs debut tomorrow night in Ottawa
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 14, 2017
To sort the Marlies out for enough goalies, now that Jeff Glass is with the IceHogs and Karri Ramo has had more surgery, they turned to an old source for emergency help, Ryerson University.
Sparks played 17 games with the Leafs last season, but after starting out with a shutout, he failed to even meet backup goaltender standards and ended the season with a save percentage of .893. McElhinney recorded .890 in 18 games.
UPDATED
The Leafs have recalled Garret Sparks. I'm hearing McElhinney dealing with minor injury that may keep him out tonight.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 14, 2017
And at last the conclusion:
Curtis McElhinney will start for #Leafs. Babs said they thought someone might be hurt, hence Sparks recall. Freddie's health is fine.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 14, 2017
Nothing like an excess of caution to liven up a Saturday!
