A 36-year-old accountant took the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks to help win game
It’s every fan’s dream to one day suit up for their favorite team, but of course, most will never see that wish come to fruition.
On Thursday night, though, 36-year-old accountant Scott Foster got the chance do the improbable — take the ice for the Chicago Blackhawks and help them beat the Winnipeg Jets.
Going into the game, Foster never expected he would play. As per NHL rules, the Blackhawks had two goalies on the roster prior to the contest — starter Anton Forsberg and rookie backup Collin Delia.
But during what coach Joel Quenneville later called a “pregame ritual,” Forsberg was hurt and couldn’t play. Still, the Blackhawks had Delia, who in his NHL debut stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced.
Then, with about 14 minutes to go in the third period, Delia crampd up and had to leave the game. The Blackhawks were forced to quickly sign Foster, their emergency goalie, to a contract.
“The initial shock happened when I had to dress. I think you just kind of black out after that,” Foster told reporters following the game, according to The Associated Press.
Despite his lack of experience in the pros, Foster suited up, came into the game and stopped all seven shots on goal he faced, sealing Chicago’s 6-2 victory.
Wearing No. 90 for the Chicago #Blackhawks: Scott Foster pic.twitter.com/2u3uCFXGhO
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
The crowd of nearly 22,000 cheered wildly when he made his first save. Their enthusiasm didn’t diminish as third period continued, and chants of “Foster! Foster!” encouraged the accountant-turned goalie to keep on holding his own.
After the game was over, Foster was mobbed by his new teammates.
NOTHING GETS PAST EMERGENCY GOALTENDER SCOTT FOSTER 😎🔥 pic.twitter.com/1pfZCLw7iU
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 30, 2018
Foster’s appearance in the game was certainly improbable, but it didn’t come out of the blue. The married father of two is part of a group of emergency goalies that Chicago keeps on hand for situations just like this.
As pointed out by USA Today, NHL rules stipulate that if both of a team’s goalies can’t play due to injury, a club is “entitled to dress and play any available goalkeeper.” That rarely happens, though Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager Jorge Alves was called into action last year as an emergency backup. He was on the ice for less than 10 seconds.
Foster, meanwhile, said he’s attended between 12 and 15 games this year in that capacity. Normally, he sits up in the press box and gets a free meal. That is, until Thursday night.
“A few hours ago I was sitting on the computer typing on a 10-key,” Foster said. “Now I’m standing in front of you guys having just finished 14 and a half minutes of NHL hockey.”
A former college goalie at Western Michigan who currently plays in two recreational leagues, Foster was thrilled with his opportunity of a lifetime. “This is something that no one can ever take away from me,” he said. “It’s something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. … Just a ton of fun.”
Quenneville expressed similar sentiments, saying with a chuckle, “What a moment.”
And as for what’s next, Foster is ready to go back to his day job.
‘‘You think there’d be a lot of pressure,’’ he said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘But tomorrow I’m going to wake up, I’m going to button up my shirt and I’m going to go back to my day job. What pressure is there for me?’’
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