March 29, 2018 will be a day Scott Foster never forgets. After turning in a typical work day as an accountant at Golub Capital, the 36-year-old Oak Park resident spent his evening improbably making his NHL debut as an emergency goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.
Foster had seven saves for a 1.000 save percentage in 14 minutes of action against the Winnipeg Jets and their third-ranked offense in the NHL. The Blackhawks defeated the Jets 6-2.
“A few hours ago I was sitting on my computer typing on the 10-key, and now I’m standing in front of you guys, just finished 14 and a half minutes of NHL hockey,” Foster told the media after the game. “From my perspective, this is a dream regardless. This is something that no one can ever take away from me, it’s something I can go home and tell my kids.”
Foster had his number called due a to a glut of injured goalkeepers for the Blackhawks, including Corey Crawford, Anton Forsberg and Collin Delia. Crawford has been on the injured reserved list since December, while Forsberg and Delia were injured during warmups and the third period, respectively, during the game against Winnipeg.
Foster suited up just minutes before the game once he was informed of Forsberg’s injury. After Delia went down in the third, Foster’s dream became reality as he entered the game wearing jersey number 90. He didn’t allow a goal and stopped multiple shots, notably from Jets’ star Paul Stasny and former Blackhawk Dustin Byfuglien.
Foster, who also played college hockey, is currently a goalie in two rec leagues. On Thursday, however, over 20,000 Blackhawks fans were chanting his last name, “Foster” in honor of one of the best goalies in the world…even if for a handful of minutes.
