Senators EBUG runs to rink to beat traffic: ‘Whatever means possible’

For games with big crowds, Ottawa Senators fans generally have to pack their patience to get to the parking lots at Canadian Tire Centre.

But while missing a few minutes may not be the end of the world for many people attending the game, that wasn’t an option on Saturday night for Zach Dietz.

The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees goaltender, who serves as one of the emergency backup goalies for the Senators (EBUG), was informed just over an hour before puck drop that he was needed ASAP because Anton Forsberg was injured.

Only one problem: Dietz and his girlfriend, Charley Healey, got stuck in traffic ahead of the contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With time tight, Dietz got out of the car and started running with his equipment bag. The video has since gone viral on social media.

“I was going to miss warmup due to the traffic and everything, but I was talking to (Healey) and I was saying, ‘If I can jump out of the car and run I can get there quicker’ than staying in the car,” Dietz told Bruce Garrioch of Ottawa Postmedia on Sunday.

“We both agreed that if I was going to get there as quick as I can, we’ve got to do it by whatever means possible. She’s as big a fan of hockey as I am and she plays for the women’s team at the University of Ottawa so she was like, ‘Hey, get there as quick as you can and I’ll jump in the driver’s seat.’ We just changed out. I put the car in park, she jumped in from the passenger’s seat and I grabbed my gear and started running.”

“I could see the building so I thought I’d keep going until I get there before she does or she catches up to me.”

Dietz said some friendly motorists closer to the arena helped him out after he started running.

“Once I jumped out I was passing cars because they were stopped,” he said. “They weren’t moving at all. As I got to the top of a hill, a couple in a black SUV were looking at me because it’s weird to see someone running with goalie gear.

“As I got closer, I was starting to walk because my legs were exhausted from running up the hill. They asked if I was going into the game and I said I’m the emergency backup goalie and I’m trying to get to the rink because I have to get dressed for the team.

“They told me immediately to jump in. I got in with them and three minutes later they got me to the rink because traffic opened up. They were the saviours of it because it helped a lot because my girlfriend didn’t get there until just before the puck drop and I was there before the warmup even ended.”

When Dietz arrived, he signed a pro tryout contract. The equipment staff made him a uniform with his name and he watched the game in the bowels of the arena.

It turned out Dietz was not needed during the game as Linus Ullmark backstopped the Senators to a 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I was more excited than nervous,” Dietz said. “The whole story just blows me away. When it became surreal was when I looked at an NHL jersey and it had my last name on it.”