Ayres wins virtual start vs. Maple Leafs, digitally does Storm Surge

David Ayres was back in net for the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, virtually.

Ayres, the
Zamboni driver turned emergency backup goalie
was the choice to get the start when the Hurricanes hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs in a simulated game of EA Sports NHL 20. And why not? He has been
keeping his skills sharp in real life
.

And wouldn't you know it, he got the win again, 7-5.
Virtual fans got to see what digital Ayres looked like in the home red uniforms, although he was designed to still have his true-to-life blue Maple Leafs helmet, pads and stick, a nice touch.
Ayres, due to the nature of video games not actually being real games, made 73 saves. His counterpart on the Maple Leafs, virtual Frederik Andersen, took the hard-luck loss making 117 saves. Those numbers were reminiscent of when the Devils first simulated a game and video Cory Schneider made 98 saves.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Schneider with 98 saves, leading the boys to victory was our @mmschocolate Moment of the Game! #WeAreTheOnes | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/k3KhiENHSI
Despite allowing two second-period goals to video game Mitch Marner to tie the game 5-5, virtual Ayres stoned digitized Jason Spezza on a breakaway in the second. Guest commentator artificial Snoop Dogg loved it.

In the third, with video Snoop gone, A.I. Ayres made a wicked glove save on computerized Travis Dermott. Video Jake Gardiner scored to make it 6-5 and simulated Jordan Martinook added the empty netter.
Cue the digital Storm Surge, in which the video version of Ayres got to participate, blue equipment and all.