Gavin McHale has a tale to tell his grandkids – one they'll surely repeat to their grandkids.
The goalie coach with the University of Manitoba women's team answered the SOS call from the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night to be their emergency backup in Winnipeg against the Jets.
McHale, 31, signed an amateur tryout contract and wore Capitals colours, backing up Pheonix Copley who got his second start in as many nights after stopping 26 shots in Washington's 5-2 victory over the host Minnesota Wild.
McHale took the warm-up and even faced a few shots, the first coming off the stick of Washington sniper Alex Ovechkin.