Gestern Abend hatten wir noch ein Spiel in Kitzbühel, ich bin erst um 3:00 Uhr in Graz angekommen.
This means Grascher successfully navigated being thrown in at the deep end. For this, he received chants from over 3,000 Graz fans and was voted Player of the Evening.
Still in Kitzbühel on Thursday Evening
He himself illustrates how unexpectedly the 20-year-old came to make his first competitive appearance in the Graz goal:
Grascher was originally planned to be a cooperation player for the Kitzbüheler Adler in the Alps Hockey League for this season, and was on the bench there on Thursday evening for the home game against Unterland.
Lagace's injury necessitated a recall, and Grascher was supposed to take a seat on the bench as Wieser's backup. But after his "really long" nap, he found several messages on his phone.
The message: "You're playing! It's a game like any other, have lots of fun," Grascher recounts.
Motivating Words from Lagace
There wasn't much time to think, which would have helped him. "If I had known before my nap that I would be making my debut today, I certainly wouldn't have been able to sleep," Grascher smiles.
Of course, the anticipation was great, but he wasn't nervous. "I tried to do the things I always do." Whether in Graz or with the national team: Grascher always has the same routines. Sticking to them even before his debut clearly worked.
Grascher also received motivating words from Lagace. The goaltender with 20 NHL appearances told him in the locker room to simply enjoy the game and have fun. He knew that the youngster had what it takes to perform well.
The Canadian was proven right.
Appearance against KAC? "It would mean everything to me"
Grascher has thus recommended himself for further appearances.
It is possible that the 20-year-old will once again be in the Graz goal on Sunday for the away game against KAC. "That would mean everything to me," beams the Klagenfurt native.
But he remains modest: "We're taking it day by day. Let's hope we get 'Wies' (Nicolas Wieser, editor's note) back. He played incredibly last year and again this year."
Should Wieser not recover in time, Grascher is certainly a ready replacement who already proved in his debut that he can be thrown in at the deep end.
