VIDEO: Panthers goaltending coach dons equipment vs. Maple Leafs
Injuries to Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya forced Florida Panthers goaltending coach Robb Tallas out of retirement Tuesday.
Tallas has not played professional hockey in 10 years, but he strapped on the equipment for the third period of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after Montoya suffered a groin injury.
Here's @NHL ruling on #FlaPanthers goalie situation. pic.twitter.com/EGH8W0X6kt
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 4, 2015
Montoya eventually left the contest midway through the third period, but Luongo returned to replace him in net, eliminating the need for Tallas to make his 100th career NHL appearance. Luongo was actually at a hospital getting checked out when Montoya was initially injured, according to TSN's James Duthie.
#FlaPanthers Dale Tallon said if Robb Tallas wasn't cleared and a player was only option, team was thinking about NOT PLAYING A GOALIE
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) March 4, 2015
Tallas was also pressed into backup duty exactly two years prior, serving as the Panthers' emergency goaltender on March 3, 2013 when Jose Theodore suffered a groin injury and Jacob Markstrom's equipment wasn't ready in time.
Next March 3rd I will be nowhere near a hockey rink #coincidence
— Robb Tallas (@robbtallas) March 4, 2015