The Edmonton Oilers were without goaltender Stuart Skinner Saturday night versus the Chicago Blackhawks, as he was a late scratch with an illness
In his place, the Oilers signed the University of Alberta’s Matt Berlin to an ATO on an emergency basis. He served as the backup to Jack Campbell in the Oilers 7-3 win over Chicago.
But the 25-year-old netminder making his surprise NHL debut got more than he ever dreamed of, as with 2:26 remaining and the game in hand, the Oilers decided to put Berlin into the game.
Berlin stopped the only shot he face in 2:26 of playing time.
According to Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, it was initially Connor McDavid’s idea to get Berlin into the contest.
Berlin became the eighth University of Alberta Golden Bear to play a game in the NHL with his appearance. It also sure beats studying for a psychology mid-term, which the university student told reporters he was in the middle of doing before receiving the call from the Oilers.
We sure hope he has earned himself an extension.
