[Delk]

That's not really a choice for the visiting team to make. A team can only have two goalies dressed for a game. The emergency backup goalie rule (which is unique to the NHL, AFAIK) is that the home team has to have an emergency goalie booked who's available as a stand-in for either team should both of the team's dressed goalies get injured during the game. Either team would only realistically take that option if they have no other choice.

It's a relatively rare occurrence, and I imagine that anybody who ends up playing as an emergency backup would make an honest effort out of sportsmanship, and also because it's an unique opportunity and experience, even if it's for the visiting team.

The emergency backup goalie is essentially the ultimate underdog and ends up being the fan favourite for the game. Sometimes the home crowd has started to cheer for him even though he was playing for the visiting team.

I don't know what would be going through the emergency goalie's head if they had to step in for a really high-stakes game, though. I don't think that has happened so far.

[rectang]

The "Zamboni Goalie" David Ayers, provided by the Toronto Maple Leafs when both goalies for the visiting Carolina Hurricanes went down, notched a win for the visitors.

[aeroplanetext]

I suppose that, given the backup goalie is local, even if you lose, you win. Cheer on the hometown hero!

[zoomablemind]

> ...The emergency backup goalie is essentially the ultimate underdog and ends up being the fan favourite for the game.

I always thought that EBUG is an excellent PR device. It just feels to be so much "For the love of the game", something that fans on each side can relate.

Win or lose is situative, but the EBUG effect after such games is always humanising. So the lucky activated EBUGs are in the goal to simply play hockey, they are ultimately NHL ambassadors.

[Delk]

I also think it's a great rule, and I don't really even follow hockey nowadays.

Some people would probably say it's too random, has no place in serious top-level sports, or something. But to me it creates awesomely human moments, not to mention that the entire idea of having someone ready to step in for either team in an emergency just screams good sportsman spirit.