Goalie Call Ups Made Official

As originally reported here on The Leafs Nation last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Drew MacIntyre from the Toronto Marlies, who in turn have called up Garret Sparks from the Orlando Solar Bears.

MacIntyre has a 25-13-3 (second in the AHL wins) record over 44 GP (1st) with the Marlies this season, posting a 2.47 GAA (16th) and 0.919 SV% (T-13th) in the process. MacIntyre also leads the league in shots against and saves, and has stopped 23 of 33 attempts in the shootout this year.

On the NHL side of things, his last appearances came in 2011-12, coming in during two games for the Buffalo Sabres, posting a 1.38 GAA and 0.944 SV%. 

Sparks has only played one game since being sent down to Orlando, allowing 5 goals on 34 shots in a 5-2 loss to Greenville. I’m not particularly alarmed though; his assignment wasn’t performance driven, and he was playing his best hockey of the season before being sent down. Christopher Gibson is playing pretty solidly as well, so the Marlies should be in at least decent shape until MacIntyre returns.

Whether or not this is can be considered an emergency call up remains to be seen. If not, its likely that MacIntyre will have to clear waivers to go back down.

MacIntyre is expected to back up James Reimer on Sunday night against Washington, and it remains to be seen whether Gibson or Sparks will be in net for the Marlies on Sunday afternoon.