Maple Leafs' Sparks will make NHL debut Monday vs. Oilers
Welcome to the big time, Garret Sparks.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has tabbed the 22-year-old as his starting goalie for Monday's game against the Edmonton Oilers. It marks a quick rise for the 2011 seventh-round pick (190th overall), who brings a grand total 34 games of AHL experience to the table.
Why Sparks tomorrow? Babcock: "Well, we got to find a way to win a game. He's played well in the minors. Gets his opportunity."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 29, 2015
"There were two very good goalies ahead of me. I didn't imagine the opportunity to open up so quickly," Sparks added.
Babcock was forced to call on Sparks in light of a seemingly minor yet lingering injury affecting James Reimer, and the poor play of Jonathan Bernier, who remains winless through nine starts this season.
The latter, who allowed four goals on 23 shots against the Washington Capitals in his last start, declined to speak to reporters following practice Sunday, while Reimer hopes to be able to play as early as Wednesday.
Babcock on Bernier: "The way I look at it, when you get your opportunities you got to make good on them"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 29, 2015
In 11 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season, Sparks posted a record of 8-2-1 with a .938 save percentage. Last season, he appeared in 36 games for the Orlando Solar Bears, posting a record of 21-7-2 and leading the ECHL in save percentage (0.936).
The Oilers sit last in the NHL standings, one point behind Toronto, giving Sparks as good a chance as any to earn his first NHL win.