The NHL has a bedeviling problem -- goaltenders who wear down and get hurt before and during games. So much so that the league requires teams to have pools of goaltenders in tow with one "back-up" in the arena in case something happens to the other two. The rule derives from an old hockey custom that if the goalie got hurt a team could grab someone out of the stands and have him play goalie. Fast forward until today, and teams have people who played goalie at some level -- preferably college or junior or in the minors -- and who do something else now, ready for just this purpose.
Typically, these goalies don't see action. A few have gotten to suit up and sit on the bench when one of a team's two goalies is unable for the game. One even got to play for the final 7.6 seconds of a game this year.
Last night, though, something different happened. The Blackhawks were down to one "regular" goalie and had a thirty-six year old accountant, Scott Foster, who played some goalie in college, on the bench. With about 15 minutes to go or so, the starting goalie started cramping, and the Blackhawks turned to Foster to finish a 6-2 victory over a play-off bound team. Foster played flawlessly, drawing the admiration from a grateful Hawks' team, the fans, the league and frankly sports fans everywhere.
Great job, Scott Foster. You did what everyone dreams of -- getting called upon, suiting up and helping your team win. Great story!
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