Video: Ducks Use EBUG Tom Hodges in Final Game of the Season vs Stars

Somewhere David Ayres is smiling. The Anaheim Ducks ended the 2021-22 NHL season not exactly as they had planned as the team had to turn to emergency backup goalie Tom Hodges to finish their final game of the season against the Dallas Stars on Friday night.

Both Ducks netminders John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz were ruled out of game action with injuries and Hodges' dream came true. He's actually a seasoned pro, well not really, but he does have one professional appearance under his belt as he suited up for the ECHL's Allen Americans back in 2016-17. Hodges looked awesome on Friday night as he came out for the Ducks in Stars-themed hockey gear and a Ducks jersey without a name. Talk about making him feel right at home.

The game was 2-2 when Hodges entered action and he ended up making two saves and the 28-year-old admitted after that was the most nervous he's ever been in his life and he was only interested in not embarrassing himself in front of all the people.

The Ducks finished off the 2021-22 season with a 31-37-14 record and this is certainly the only loss they've celebrated:

He battled for us.
We battled for him.
Thank you, Tom Hodges!

🧡 this team. #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/yarDMTHw1K
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 30, 2022