MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A St. Paul man started watching Thursday’s Minnesota Wild game on his couch, but soon found himself suiting up as a New York Rangers backup goalie.
CBS Sports reports that semipro hockey player Santino Vasquez, a former goaltender for the Hamline University Pipers, got a call from the Wild’s strength and conditioning coach to head to the Xcel Energy Center as quick as he could.
READ MORE: Motorcyclist Dies After Colliding With Turning Vehicle In Ham LakeRangers goalie Antti Raanta was injured in the first period and was replaced by backup Henrik Lundqvist. That meant a second backup was needed, and the Wild had Vasquez in mind to help out the opponent.
READ MORE: Minnesota Aurora FC Plays Inaugural Home Opener Before Sold-Out CrowdVasquez didn’t end up playing, but he did earn $500, a Rangers jersey and some social media love.
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It’s not every day that a MIACer gets to dress with a NHL team. Former Hamline goalie Santino Vasquez didn’t see… https://t.co/FmBZGd1bTZ
— Hamline Athletics (@HUPipers) December 18, 2015