Thatcher Demko saves barehanded Rangers
(Screenshot/ MSG)

This is ridiculous goaltending from Thatcher Demko.

Demko made a series of ridiculous saves against the New York Rangers on Tuesday evening. Demko lost his blocker and made three straight saves while barehanded.

The sequence took place in the third period with Vancouver killing a 5-on-3. Demko loses his blocker during a scramble and decides to play bare-handed. Demko makes a series of great pad stops, including a scorpion save.

At one point during the mayhem, Demko waves to the ref to blow the whistle. The ref hilariously just stands there, looks at Demko and doesn’t do anything. Luckily, Demko wasn’t injured on the play.

Here’s the full sequence of action:

Video:

Here’s a replay of the scorpion save:

Demko’s save proved critical, as JT Miller won the game for the Canucks in overtime. Demko finished with 33 saves on the evening.

Refs sometimes blow the play dead immediately in these scenarios, but there’s also another side to it. If a goalie can just drop his blocker to get a quick whistle, netminders will abuse that rule when they want to delay the game.

Demko’s sequence against the Rangers was ridiculous, and it’s just fortunate the Canucks’ netminder didn’t wind up with a broken hand.