You can’t blame Mike Babcock for siding with the relatively unknown when the other option is Jonathan Bernier, a goalie who’s 0-8-1 so far in 2015-16.
With that in mind, meet Garret Sparks, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ expected starter for Monday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Sparks was a seventh-round pick (190th overall) in 2011, a guy who was off to a great start in the AHL. That much wasn’t lost on Babcock.
Let’s face it, though; this is as much about the Leafs’ other two goalies as it is about Sparks (whose name inspired a very obscure reference in this post’s headline).
In Bernier’s case, there’s an “enough’s enough” feel:
Babcock on Bernier: "The way I look at it, when you get your opportunities you got to make good on them"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 29, 2015
Meanwhile, James Reimer’s not quite healthy enough to play yet, so the window of opportunity is open for Sparks ... a little bit.
James Reimer says he's gotten better every day but still doesn't have full range of movement. Hopeful to play later this week.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) November 29, 2015
Sparks will get a chance to make an impression, even if it’s just a small one.