If the NHL proved something Thursday night it's that you never know when your dreams will come true.
Scott Foster is a 36-year-old a accountant living in Chicago. Originally from Sarnia, Ont., Foster played goalie for Western Michigan University 12 years ago. Normally when Scott is playing hockey it's for his men's rec league Sharks at Johnny's Ice House West.
But on Thursday, all of that changed.
So 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 reporters.
To get to that moment we need to rewind a little bit.
Earlier this year Chicago Blackhawks goalie, and Chateauguay native, Corey Crawford was side-lined with vertigo-like symptoms. This led to a bit of a goaltending carousel in the windy city.
Last night Anton Forsberg was scheduled to get the start, but ended up injuring himself during his pre-game warmup ritual.
This gave Collin Delia the chance to make his NHL debut. Foster was called a couple hours before puck drop and asked to be the team's emergency backup. It wasn't the first time he had received such a call. Normally though it ends with him watching the game in the press box and having a nice meal.
So with Forsberg out and Delia starting, Foster had to dress.
"The initial shock happened when I had to dress," Foster said afterward. "Then I think you just kind of black out after that."
With about 14 minutes left in the third period, with the Hawks up 6-2 on the Winnipeg Jets, Collin Delia went down for a save but he did not get back up.
"I don't think I heard anything other than 'Put your helmet on,'" Foster said when asked if anyone had any advice for him before he stepped out onto the ice.
Wearing No. 90 for the Chicago #Blackhawks: Scott Foster pic.twitter.com/2u3uCFXGhO
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
While the Madhouse on Madison should have been collectively holding its breath, instead fans were chanting "Fos-ter, Fos-ter!" as the accountant stopped all seven shots he faced from the league's fourth highest scoring offense.
Foster was named the game's First Star.
"The guys were saying when he was sitting in the locker room there, he was cool as a cucumber," defenceman Brent Seabrook told reporters. "And he went up there, and [bleep], took a few shots. I was like, oh, this guy looks pretty good."
Foster may not get credit for the win in the record books, but he will be remembered as the emergency goalie to play the most minutes (14:01) in the modern NHL.
“Well the initial shock happened when I had to dress, and then I think you just kind of black out after that.”
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
Accountant by day—and emergency backup goaltender by night—Scott Foster. #FosterOfThePeople pic.twitter.com/YhIwoLoT7k
"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 …I'm going to remember this one for a long, long time" Foster said.
Foster earned $500 for his work at the United Center with $500, the max allowed as per the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. He also got to take home his game jersey, and a lifetime worth of memories.
"This is something that no one can ever take away from me. It's something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. … Just a ton of fun."
What a night.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018
Emergency backup goalie Scott Foster gets the belt for his surprise performance. #FosterOfThePeople pic.twitter.com/g1dHZKPanr