A series of improbable events led to one of the most remarkable sports stories of the year on Thursday night, and 36-year-old Scott Foster’s life has been forever changed because of it.
Foster, an accountant by day, is one in a group of what the NHL refers to as “emergency backup” goaltenders. If both of a team’s goalies on their active roster get injured or are unable to play, guys like Foster are on hand to quickly sign a contract and join the team that day. When Chicago Blackhawks starting goaltender Anton Forsberg injured himself during a morning skate on Thursday, Foster was signed as the emergency backup behind rookie Collin Delia. Then, in the third period of Chicago’s 6-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets, Delia went down with an injury of his own.
Enter Foster, who was called upon to close out the last 14 or so minutes of the game and managed to stop all seven shots he faced. That seems pretty good for a guy who plays only in “beer leagues” now and has not played competitive hockey in 10 years. Following the performance, Foster’s legend grew even greater when he had the local media howling.
Hilarious post-game interview from 36-year-old Scott Foster, who was called into action as the Blackhawks Emergency Backup Goaltender tonight pic.twitter.com/p4ExOQz8oA
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 30, 2018
Foster’s new teammates were thrilled for him when the final horn sounded, and they presented him with their championship belt.
NOTHING GETS PAST EMERGENCY GOALTENDER SCOTT FOSTER pic.twitter.com/1pfZCLw7iU
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) March 30, 2018
What a night.
Emergency backup goalie Scott Foster gets the belt for his surprise performance. #FosterOfThePeople pic.twitter.com/g1dHZKPanr
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
“This is something that no one can ever take away from me,” Foster said after the game, according to The Associated Press. “It’s something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. … Just a ton of fun.”
We’ve had some great stories about emergency goalies in the past, but this one takes the cake. The fact that Foster actually got into the game and did not allow a goal is a sports legend that will live on forever.
