Lester Patrick was coaching the New York Rangers in the second game of the 1928 Stanley Cup finals when his goaltender, Lorne Chabot, was knocked out by a puck to the eye.In that era when teams carried only one netminder, Patrick asked Montreal Maroons coach Eddie Gerard if the Rangers could substitute a goalie who was sitting in the Montreal Forum stands.
Legend has it that when Gerard refused he said "If you need a goalkeeper, why the hell doesn't Lester play?"
The 44 year old Patrick is said to have snorted "I will! To hell with Gerard! I'll go in and play goal myself!"
Donning Chabot's skates and equipment, the old defenseman faced 19 shots, including several in sudden death overtime. Amazingly, "The Silver Fox" stopped all but one in inspiring the Rangers to a 2-1 victory.
Joe Miller was recruited to play the remainder of the series, ending Patrick's goaltending career at 43 minutes played. The Rangers would go on to win the Stanley Cup.
Read the full Lester Patrick Biography.
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