I'm not a hockey guy, but this is a cool story and a great interview. Take a minute and watch it.



https://www.nbcchicago.com/blo...ocialFlowTwt_CHBrand

Local Accountant Stops Every Shot as Blackhawks' Emergency Goalie

"A few hours ago I was sitting on the computer typing on a 10-key, and now I'm standing in front of you guys having just finished 14 1/2 minutes of NHL hockey," Scott Foster joked

Scott Foster thought it was going to be just another night. Then the 36-year-old accountant signed a contract, put on his goaltender gear and waited in Chicago's locker room. Then he got into the game.

Then, it was his night.

Foster was pressed into action when Chicago lost Anton Forsberg and Collin Delia to injuries, and the former college goalie stopped all seven shots he faced over the final 14 minutes of the Blackhawks' 6-2 victory over the playoff-bound Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

"This is something that no one can ever take away from me," Foster said. "It's something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. ... Just a ton of fun."

Foster is part of a crew of recreational goaltenders who staff Chicago's home games in case of emergencies for either team. But it usually just means a nice dinner and a night in the press box watching the world's best players compete at hockey's highest level.

Nothing at all like this.

"What a moment," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said with a chuckle.

Forsberg was expected to start, but he got hurt during a "pregame ritual," according to Quenneville. Delia, who was just recalled from the minors Wednesday, then stopped 25 of 27 shots in his NHL debut before he was helped off the ice with 14:01 left after he cramped up.

Enter Foster, a married father of two who lives in nearby Oak Park and plays in two rec leagues. After a short warmup, the game resumed and Foster got a big cheer from the crowd of 21,839 when he denied Tyler Myers for his first save about a minute after he came in.

"The initial shock happened when I had to dress. I think you just kind of black out after that," Foster said.

Backed by chants of "Foster! Foster!" and more loud ovations, he made another stop on Myers and turned away Paul Stastny and Dustin Byfuglien in the final minutes. When it was over, the Blackhawks poured onto the ice and mobbed Foster in the net.

"He was great," defenseman Brent Seabrook said. "I think the boys were doing whatever they could to help him out. He made some big saves. Fun night."

The Jets had won six in a row and were trying to clinch home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. But even they were moved by what happened.

"It's tough for anybody to come in 50 minutes into a hockey game, let alone a guy who hasn't played in the (NHL)," coach Paul Maurice said. "A great moment for him."

Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager Jorge Alves became the first emergency goalie to play in a game in the modern era last season. He closed out the final 7.6 seconds of a 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

The NHL adjusted its rules last summer to mandate that teams have an emergency goalie present for all home games ready to fill in for either team — setting the stage for Foster's most competitive action since 20 minutes in relief with Western Michigan University in the 2005-06 season.

"A few hours ago I was sitting on the computer typing on a 10-key, and now I'm standing in front of you guys having just finished 14 1/2 minutes of NHL hockey," he cracked.

It was a wild finish to one of Chicago's best performances in a lousy season.

Tomas Jurco scored a career-high two goals in Seabrook's 1,000th regular-season game, and touted prospect Dylan Sikura had two assists in his NHL debut. Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Erik Gustafsson each had a goal and an assist, and Brandon Saad also scored.

The 32-year-old Seabrook got the start alongside fellow alternate captain and frequent defensive partner Duncan Keith. He became the fifth player in franchise history to skate in 1,000 or more games for the team, joining Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, Eric Nesterenko and Bob Murray.

Bryan Little scored his 200th NHL goal for Winnipeg in the opener of a four-game trip. Mark Scheifele also scored for the Jets, and Eric Comrie made 36 saves while subbing for starter Connor Hellebuyck.

"It wasn't a good night," Little said. "It wasn't good from the start. It's one of those games you want to forget and put behind you and look to the next one."

Kane got Chicago off to a fast start when he shot it between Comrie's legs for his 27th goal 3:44 into the first, and the Blackhawks just poured it on from there. Saad made it 2-0 with a nifty move to his backhand in front at 17:17.

Jurco added two goals in the second before Little got Winnipeg on the board with his 16th of the season at 14:24. But Gustafsson responded for the Blackhawks, scoring on a nice rush to the net at 17:27.

That is awesome!

Saw this last night. Awesome. All the Blackhawks player where congratulating him, on the ice, after the win.

What an amazing opportunity. I bet he will be smiling all week.

I'm not much of a sports fan...But THIS is cool!

What a great story!

I call fake news. Accountants, by nature and training, are dull and boring people, incapable of anything exciting. (I teach accounting ).

Pretty cool

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
The NHL adjusted its rules last summer to mandate that teams have an emergency goalie present for all home games ready to fill in for either team — setting the stage for Foster's most competitive action since 20 minutes in relief with Western Michigan University in the 2005-06 season.

That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard. "John the janitor, go be the emergency goalie for the other team. We have playoffs coming up, try to let a few by."

Why cant one of the PROFESSIONAL hockey players on the team, that actually plays hockey for a living and knows a lot more about hockey that John the janitor, and actually has a reason to play hard and win, put the gear on and go be the emergency goalie?

He just visualized that each puck was a TPS Report without the new cover sheet.

Fantastic!!

A great moment for all of us Walter Mitties! Pocketa pocketa pocketa!

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:
Why cant one of the PROFESSIONAL hockey players on the team, that actually plays hockey for a living and knows a lot more about hockey that John the janitor, and actually has a reason to play hard and win, put the gear on and go be the emergency goalie?

I guess you don't know a whole lot about ice hockey?

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
The NHL adjusted its rules last summer to mandate that teams have an emergency goalie present for all home games ready to fill in for either team — setting the stage for Foster's most competitive action since 20 minutes in relief with Western Michigan University in the 2005-06 season.

That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard. "John the janitor, go be the emergency goalie for the other team. We have playoffs coming up, try to let a few by."

Why cant one of the PROFESSIONAL hockey players on the team, that actually plays hockey for a living and knows a lot more about hockey that John the janitor, and actually has a reason to play hard and win, put the gear on and go be the emergency goalie?

Goalie are the highest trained and worked with players on the ice and while a forward, center or D man strap on the pads, they have no skill to play the spot.

It would be the same as having a centerfielder coming in to be the starting pitcher.

Having a universal pool isn't as horrid as it seems because the frequency of emergency goalies coming in under these circumstances is exceedingly rare. I think the first one in more than a decade was last season. It's like looking for a 4 leaf clover.

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
The NHL adjusted its rules last summer to mandate that teams have an emergency goalie present for all home games ready to fill in for either team — setting the stage for Foster's most competitive action since 20 minutes in relief with Western Michigan University in the 2005-06 season.

That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard. "John the janitor, go be the emergency goalie for the other team. We have playoffs coming up, try to let a few by."

Why cant one of the PROFESSIONAL hockey players on the team, that actually plays hockey for a living and knows a lot more about hockey that John the janitor, and actually has a reason to play hard and win, put the gear on and go be the emergency goalie?

Often times a very small man can cast a very large shadow

I'm not a hockey fan either but what a great story.

I don't think he spends his time on the couch watching tv. Fast reflexes, warmed up non-stiff muscles, he certainly stepped up.

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:

quote:

Originally posted by bubbatime:

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
The NHL adjusted its rules last summer to mandate that teams have an emergency goalie present for all home games ready to fill in for either team — setting the stage for Foster's most competitive action since 20 minutes in relief with Western Michigan University in the 2005-06 season.

That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard. "John the janitor, go be the emergency goalie for the other team. We have playoffs coming up, try to let a few by."

Why cant one of the PROFESSIONAL hockey players on the team, that actually plays hockey for a living and knows a lot more about hockey that John the janitor, and actually has a reason to play hard and win, put the gear on and go be the emergency goalie?

Goalie are the highest trained and worked with players on the ice and while a forward, center or D man strap on the pads, they have no skill to play the spot.

It would be the same as having a centerfielder coming in to be the starting pitcher.

Having a universal pool isn't as horrid as it seems because the frequency of emergency goalies coming in under these circumstances is exceedingly rare. I think the first one in more than a decade was last season. It's like looking for a 4 leaf clover.

But I think the point being argued is that why would a *visiting* team want an emergency goalie, from a pool of random *non-professional* people, at all? Wouldn't it make more sense to grab one of your *own* players, or even your *own* water boy, to defend your goal? They may suck, but at least you know where their loyalties are.

At the very least, you know that your own players are athletic, have trained with the team, and perhaps have played goalie themselves at some point in their lifetime. Maybe even work in a bit of goalie training for a few of your players for "emergencies."

Not to take anything away from his awesome performance and probably the high light of his life but,
He lives in Oak Park IL. a declared nuclear free zone and gun free zone. He could put 100% concentration on his hockey play because he knew his family was safe back home.

He's not exactly a random dude they found in the arena. He played College hockey from '02-'06. He still plays "beer league," but depending on the league, there could be former pros and college players. My buddy has played various high level beer league games in So Cal and has played against a couple former NHLers. I doubt they get paid to come and eat and watch the game, like they do 99.9999999% of the time. A pool of goalies would be hard because what current pro (at any level) would sit around at games waiting for that .000001% chance of playing when they would be with their team. Every emergency goalie I've heard of is an older dude with some experience, but not playing pro. I think most would just soak up the opportunity to even play and be able to say I shut down NHL players, regardless of which team they root for.

I thought it was awesome when I saw the story. Good for him, and loved how into every save the crowd was. And the team mob at the end was great. Blackhawks aren't in the playoffs, but still came up big. 4 goal lead with what 14 minutes against the Jets? Could have easily lost the game, but he shut them down.

Lighten up Francis.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
armored...You're bringing politics into a HOCKEY thread?!?!? I think the boss has already voiced his stance on those actions. If you get it locked, being hockey-bred through and through, I'll personally hunt you down, cut off your finger, and use it to delete your post. And yes...I'll be putting on the foil.

Jeezus guys...let the guy bask in HIS 15 minutes of fame. What...you want to hear more about Hogg?? JSMH...

To the point about getting one of the forward or D-men to strap on the pads, it's been mentioned they aren't trained for that. They've played forward since they could skate. In addition, I wouldn't want to lose one of my star forwards playing a position with which he is not familiar. And "John the Janitor" has more hockey knowledge in is pinky toe-nail than you'll ever have, bubba. No offense, but stick to shit you know something about. Flashlightboy covered the point well. And to Aeteocles' question about the visiting team wanting an "emergency" goalie...why wouldn't they? It would be their chance to exploit the inexperience of said "emergency" goalie and win the game if they're behind. I guess Mr. Foster proved that theory wrong.

CONGRATS for your day of glory, Scott Foster!

Sorry to go on a rant...hockey is the greatest game EVER. And some of you Negative Nellies that have to find something wrong with EVERYTHING need to go on a ten-mile hike with full backpack and a high colonic. Jeezus...ligthen up!