After Boston Bruins starter Tim Thomas gave up four goals on 12 shots, coach Claude Julien turned to the Panthers castaway to shake up his team. Auld blanked Florida on 13 third-period shots, while the Bruins fought back from a two-goal deficit. In the extra period, the backup turned aside two more, including a key stop on Olli Jokinen, which trickled just wide of the net.
After stopping all three shootout attempts by Florida, Auld pumped his fist and celebrated all the way to the Bruins bench, where he was congratulated by his teammates after the 5-4 win.
"It is a start I wanted, but every game is so important and Timmy (Thomas) has been playing phenomenally all year," Auld said. "But you have to take the approach to be ready at all times and be thrown in there."
Auld's stint with Florida was a memory worth forgetting. He was pegged with the task of filling a gaping hole left by one of the league's top goalies. There were the frequent the on-ice (and reportedly off-ice) battles with icy veteran Ed Belfour. A knee injury in late January ended his season. And finally, he was left searching for a job come July.
"It's tough (coming back)," Auld said. "There are guys over there, families, that are best friends. At the same time, it wasn't the right fit, for whatever reason. It just didn't work. When I got traded here, I had very high hopes, but for whatever reason, it didn't work out and I've moved on."
Auld signed with Phoenix during the offseason, but quickly found himself the odd-man out in a three-goalie rotation. With the goaltending situation solved, the Coyotes shipped him to Boston in December for a prospect and a draft pick.
It was the perfect situation for the 27-year-old, especially since the Bruins were desperate for help in net while Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez nursed injuries. Four wins in his first six games with Boston rebuilt his confidence and earned him a seemingly permanent spot on the roster.
"I'm having a great time," he said. "This is probably the most fun I've had since the year after the lockout in Vancouver. I'm understanding my role and enjoying it."
And having a guy like Thomas, who has seen more than his share of ups-and-downs, as a mentor has been a contributing factor.
"We get along really well. He's a perfect example of being patient and just believing your time will come," Auld said. "I think Timmy is great example for all players, at any position," Auld said. "Perseverence. Stay with it. You can learn a lot from him that way."
From his performance here tonight, it is clear Auld has.
