In this era of contrived excitement with scoreboards ordering fans to make noise, even where there is no reason for any, Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond is a welcome diversion.
“The Hamburglar” has come out of nowhere to become an instant North American phenomenon as a 27-year old rookie that has ignited the Sens into an unexpected playoff push. Best yet, the excitement that Hammond has created is purely organic, just the opposite of the force-fed garbage that has become such a perpetually irritating fact of life in today’s sports scene.
A Workingman’s Hero
Hammond was 7-0-1 in his first eight starts for Ottawa with an insane save percentage of .954 and two shutouts. Ottawa was taken off life support and got back into the Eastern Conference playoff race thanks to his efforts.
Hammond was called up from the minors when top goaltender Craig Anderson, and his backup Robin Lehner, both were lost to injuries.
Hammond has come off well as an unassuming guy who nearly quit hockey out of frustration. Something told him to stick with the game and now he is on the ride of his life, unexpected as it is.
Dream On
The Senators played Aerosmith’s Dream On in the background of Friday night’s game that featured the goaltending heroics and exploits of The Hamburglar on the scoreboard. McDonald’s went all-in with free hamburgers at the game. Fans came dressed in Hamburglar costumes. It was awesome.
Hammond, in fact, has a picture of the fame Hamburglar character from the McDonald’s advertising campaigns of 40 years ago painted on his mask. In this NHL era of structure and drones he is a refreshing change and breath of fresh air.
Reality Looms
As much fun as The Hamburglar and Ottawa fans, not to mention NHL fans, are having with this improbable story that miserable reality known as reality looms in the background.
Anderson is a world class goaltender and will return as the top netminder soon when his injured hand heals. Lehner is out indefinitely with a concussion, which could leave the door open for The Hamburglar as Anderson’s backup. But if Hammond stays hot will the Senators stick with him all the way, leaving Anderson on the bench?
Anderson got the start Sunday night against the Calgary Flames and blew a 4-0 lead in the third period. Fortunately, the Sens won in a shootout. But the poor finish will certainly bring out calls for Hammond’s return.
Contract talks are not underway between the Senators and Hammond as Ottawa wants to make sure that The Hamburglar is not a flash in the pan. Hammond will be a restricted free agent this summer and could garner interest for a deal. Anderson is under contract through 2018 and Lehner is as well through 2017.
Regardless of how it ends, The Hamburglar has thankfully robbed the game from its miserable and insufferable drone-creating clods to create a more exciting game.
