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Two hours before the Coyotes were set to drop the puck against Montreal, Phoenix found itself with a problem. Backup goaltender Anders Lindback suffered an "off-ice injury" leaving the Coyotes with just one healthy goaltender.
Enter Nate Schoenfeld.
NHL teams keep a list of emergency goaltenders and according to Phoenix GM Don Maloney, Schoenfeld is the Coyotes'. Schoenfeld isn't exactly a top prospect. Instead, he gained his emergency status by playing well in a recreational hockey league and Coyotes alumni games.
Schoenfeld got the call shortly before game time, drove to the arena and arrived just in time. He signed an amateur tryout contract and took his place on the bench.
Gotta See It: Nathan Schoenfeld takes his spot on the bench as Coyotes' emergency backup https://t.co/flUZ7do0zl pic.twitter.com/hRjt5oPQSx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2016
Now, the fairy tale ending to this story would include Schoenfeld being thrust into action, only to play extremely well and lead the Coyotes to a win. That didn't happen. Phoenix scored early and often en route to a 6-2 win. Schoenfeld didn't see a second on the ice.
But, that doesn't mean he walked away empty handed. In addition to one heck of a story to tell, Schoenfeld also came away with a souvenir from the team. The Coyotes award a game belt to the player of the game and that honor went to Schoenfeld.
New guy Nathan Schoenfeld gets the MVP belt! https://t.co/y5TqVouCUP
— Yotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 16, 2016
Schoenfeld went from giving his twins a bath, to signing with a NHL team and suiting up for the night in a matter of hours. That's one heck of a Monday night.