Chicago Blackhawks backup goalie Marty Turco reportedly found a new way to maintain his interest from the bench Tuesday night by making wagers with a Montreal fan while his teammates battled the Canadiens, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.
The 35-year-old NHL veteran allegedly accepted a five-dollar bet from the Habs fan, who called Montreal sports radio station Team 990 (listen here) to regale his tale following the Canadiens' 2-1 win.
The fan, named "Robert," claimed to be a season-ticket holder and happened to be seated near the Blackhawks' bench when he started some friendly banter with the Hawks' backup goalie.
"Turco was incredible," the fan said. "I gave him a hard time all night."
The fan said he bet Turco five dollars that Chicago would not score immediately after the Canadiens took a 1-0 lead in the second period.
Turco reportedly accepted the bet, and when Hawks' winger Patrick Kane tied it up less than four minutes later, the former Dallas Stars' goalie accepted the five dollar bill, on which the fan had written "Habs Rule."
A photo posted on Twitter Tuesday (see it here) shows Turco accepting money as a fan slips it through the glass.
The fan claimed he and Turco upped the ante during the remainder of the second and third periods, raising the stakes to double and then triple-or-nothing.
When the game entered overtime still tied 1-1, the fan said he offered Turco 5-1 odds that the Canadiens would prevail.
After Habs defenseman P.K. Subban won it for Montreal in overtime, Turco allegedly handed the fan a wad of cash, including the fans' original five dollar bill with the words "Habs Rule" marked out and replaced with "Turco Rules."
According to the Tribune, the incident could garner the attention of NHL brass, who may not approve of its players participating in gambling activities during games.
