Jose Theodore made an anything-but-routine save in practice today when
some weirdo — who identified himself only as "Raphael" — hopped onto the ice for a couple scoring chances on the Canadiens goaltender. The 28-year-old oddball is reportedly a recreational player who had hoped to demonstrate his readiness for the big leagues.
In skates, full gear and a white jersey, the interloper hopped over the boards and carried the puck in on Theodore, who poke-checked his first attempt away, then stopped "a weak wrist shot to the high glove side."
Describing his reaction in a quote sanitized by the AP for your protection, Theodore said he "thought about going out of the net and not playing into his game, but then I thought he had the [courage] to go on the ice, so I let him have a free shot at me."
A spokesman for the police said the incident was "not really a police matter." Raphael was not arrested, but neither did he earn a spot on the Habs' roster.
Update: Here's a CNN
video of Raphael in action.