NHL team called vending machine operator to be its emergency goalie!

Jake Allen managed to stop 29 pucks to record his first shoutout of the season last night, but still, he is the second most talked about goaltender of the St. Louis Blues. 

Tyler Stewart is a season-ticket holder for the Blues and a vending machine operator, and on Thursday, his dream came true when he was called up to be an official member of his favorite team against the Dallas Stars.  

“I bring [my goalie equipment] to every game just in case there's an injury,” Stewart told The Athletic.

Stewart got the call as a result of Carter Hutton, Allen’s regular backup, injuring his back during pregame warmups. The Blues immediately called up Ville Husso from AHL San Antonio, but he would not be able to make it up in time for the start of the game. 

Entered Stewart for the start of the contest. 

“Oh yeah, I got to listen to the pregame speech with (Blues coach Mike Yeo), all the stuff they do,” Stewart said. “It's crazy how loose they are. You would think they would be tight, but they're joking around like you wouldn't even think they're playing a hockey game.

“I sat next to (Vladimir) Tarasenko, and he and (Vladimir) Sobotka were asking me how to spell 'scissors' because they were confused on the spelling. They were calling it 'caesar,' like Caesar salad, and I was just like, 'No, it's scissors.' They just talked to me like I was just one of the guys.”

Surreal. 

Husso finally made his way to the bench and Stewart did not see any on-ice action. 

“Honestly, the competitor that I am, even though I'm not an NHL-quality goalie, I would love to do it, but I don't want Jake to get hurt obviously,” he said. “People were like, 'Would you be nervous?' I'm like, 'It is what it is. If it happens, it happens.' I've skated with (the Blues) before, and it would have been awesome if I could, but we'll see what happens next time.”

The Blues know they can count on the 25-year-old vending machine operator.