36-year-old accountant who never played pro hockey closes out Blackhawks win as goalie

If you thought the Loyola-Chicago NCAA Tournament run was the best underdog story in the country…guess again. It’s not even the best rags-to-riches story in the Windy City.

On Thursday night during the third period of a National Hockey League game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets, an unfamiliar face in a No. 90 Blackhawks jersey stepped in front of the net at the United Center.

“Hey who’s this guy?” an announcer even had to ask.

Wearing No. 90 for the Chicago #Blackhawks: Scott Foster pic.twitter.com/2u3uCFXGhO

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 30, 2018

That guy was Scott Foster, the team’s emergency goalie, a 36-year-old accountant who hadn’t played in a competitive hockey game in more than 10 years. He had once played hockey for Western Michigan University from 2002 to 2005 and donned the pads in recreational “beer leagues” since. But Foster had never played in the NHL.

So it was no surprise when the father-of-two ended up trending on Twitter and stealing the spotlight from fellow Blackhawk Brent Seabrook, who played his 1,000th-regular-season game that same night.

EMERGENCY GOALTENDER SCOTT FOSTER FILLS IN AND MAKES HIS FIRST CAREER SAVE! pic.twitter.com/D6CZ7HPfof

— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) March 30, 2018

Foster is one of a small group of “emergency backup” goaltenders who are kept on hand, usually in the press box or the stands, in the highly unlikely event both regular goalies on the roster are hurt or otherwise unavailable.

Earlier in the day, starting goaltender Anton Forsberg injured himself during a morning practice. Down to one goalie, rookie Collin Delia, the Blackhawks signed Foster as an emergency back-up.

And in an amazing twist of fate Delia – in the midst of his own NHL debut – had suffered an injury in the third period, sending Foster into action.

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

Foster finished the night with seven saves on seven shots—including one on sharpshooter Patrik Laine—in 14:01 of ice time — that helped lead the Blackhawks' to 6-3 victory. And if you crunch the numbers, it means the beancounter Foster has a better NHL career save percentage (1.000) than even Martin Brodeur or Dominick Hasek.

Sorry Sister Jean. Back to obscurity — at least for a day.

Blackhawks' Andrew Shaw accused of using gay slur against referee in loss to Blues (VIDEO)

Andrew Shaw was called out on Twitter after shouting what appeared to be an expletive and a gay slur at a referee during Chicago’s 4-3 loss to St. Louis in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

The Blackhawks right winger took a penalty with two minutes to go in the game for an interference call. Cameras showed he flipped a double middle-finger and continued yelling at referees from the box.

here is the stuff from the Blues broadcast pic.twitter.com/S5bGm4qVqP

— Stephanie (@myregularface) April 20, 2016

Lip readers on social media said that Shaw’s comments included the gay slur.

“Emotions were high. I don't know what I said. I wasn't happy with the call,” Shaw said afterward, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The You Can Play Project, an organization for equality in sports tweeted this in response to the Shaw video: “We are aware of tonight's incident and will be reaching out to the NHL immediately to assist in an appropriate response.”

Here's the two-finger salute for your enjoyment:

Andrew Shaw flipped a ref the double bird on his way to the box pic.twitter.com/NLAYnXYpsj

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 20, 2016

The Blackhawks lost the game 4-3 and trail the Blues, 3-1, in the series.

Cubs put Blackhawks' game on Wrigley video board during rain delay (VIDEO)

Chicago Cubs traditionalists have been complaining about the new video boards installed at Wrigley Field all season — feeling it takes away from the iconic look of the old ballpark. However, those video boards found some new fans Saturday night when the Cubs' game against the Cincinnati Reds went into a rain delay.

With the Chicago Blackhawks playing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at the same time, there was probably more then a few of the nearly 41,000 fans in the ballpark cursing in their beers about missing a pivotal NHL playoff game for a night of wet baseball.

But, luckily for them, the Cubs were ready.

To everyone who tweeted us politely asking to play the @NHLBlackhawks on the video board during the rain delay, YOU'RE WELCOME.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 14, 2015

The Wrigley crowd reacts to Chicago's go-ahead goal in the third period. They even blared the Blackhawks' goal horn in the stadium.

#Blackhawks score, Wrigley Field reaction pic.twitter.com/E4iK1549uv

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) June 14, 2015

And to top it off later, Kris Bryant doubled and scored on Starlin Castro's walk-off single in the ninth inning to lift the Cubs to a 4-3 victory.

Who knew it was two-for-one night at Wrigley?

NBC wanted hockey players to shave their playoff beards

NBC Sports seems to have a thing against facial hair and lobbied the NHL to ban the longstanding tradition of players growing out their beards for the Stanley Cup — reportedly so that the league's hockey stars could be more easily identified on TV.

To be specific, it's Mark Lazarus, chairman of the broadcaster's sports division, who told the Chicago Tribune: 

"I know it's a tradition and superstition, but I think (the beards do) hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, 'That guy looks like the kid next door,' which many of these guys do. I think that would be a nice thing."

The NBC executive said he wanted to emphasize how "young and attractive" the players are — but that their facial hair was giving him a hard time.

His comments come as the heavily-bearded Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning meet in the Stanley Cup Finals, with at least two more games to go.

Since the 1980s, teams have vowed grow their beards as long as they stay in the playoffs — which means players who make the final have gone some two months without a using a razor.

But Lazarus thinks the extra hair means fans struggle to recognize which player is which out on the ice, and makes it harder to market them.

"The players won’t like this, but I wish they all would stop growing beards in the postseason," he said.

"Let’s get their faces out there. Let’s talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are.... These are the most-watched games and they’re all bearded up."  

The Stanley Cup playoffs have been going since mid-April and are winding down. The Lightning are currently leading the series 2-1, with another game Wednesday night. 

Expect the beards to stay.

Tyler Johnson's goal as called by Chinese broadcast crew (VIDEO)

NBC's NHL crew had a little fun Saturday night by offering a glimpse of how the Stanley Cup Finals sounds during a broadcast half way around the world.

In the second period, NBC play-by-play man Mike Emrick told the national TV audience that they were about to hear how the goal Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson scored to give his team a 3-2 lead sounded to those watching in China.

As Emrick noted, the Johnson goal would have been scored at 9 a.m. in China, where it was already Sunday.

You didn't need a translator to know someone scored a goal but, if you did, this guy is available.

Photo by Tony Mangia

Blackhawks' Duncan Keith takes little girl for heartwarming first skate (VIDEO)

Things have been frighteningly cold all around the country but, sometimes, someone does something that warms more than the hands and feet.

NHL star Duncan Keith recently spent some time with a young fan born with disabilities to assist her with the first skate of her young life.

And if it doesn't warm your heart, you're colder than the snow.

The Blackhawks defenseman welcomed the little girl named Cammy for the franchise’s latest installment of its #WhatsYourGoal campaign.

Cammy, who was born without the ability to walk or speak, always wanted to skate the ice and score a goal — especially with her favorite player.

“[Cammy’s] parents said nothing would make her happier than to score a goal with an assist from her favorite player…me,” Keith said.

So the Blackhawks didn't waste time finding Cammy a 'Hawks jersey, a helmet and even skates.

Cammy takes the ice with her favorite player. Video on BHTV! #WhatsYourGoal

A photo posted by Chicago Blackhawks (Official) (@nhlblackhawks) on Mar 5, 2015 at 2:56pm PST

Instead of wheeling her onto the ice in her chair, Keith wore a harness that would attach Cammy to him so that she could stand upright and skate in tandem with the two-time Norris Trophy winner. And though Cammy had never walked in her life, there she was on the ice and skating.

Keith guided Cammy in on a breakaway on backup goalie Antti Raanta. The pair made a few moves and slipped one five hole to score a goal. Cammy squealed with excitement.

Let the VIDEO tell the wonderful story. Have a box of tissues nearby.

Steen scores game-winner to lift Blues over Blackhawks in triple overtime (VIDEO)

It took the St. Louis Blues five overtime periods, and then some, to take advantage of the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Alexander Steen scored at 26 seconds of the third overtime to cap the longest playoff game in franchise history and give the Blues a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

Steen beat Corey Crawford off a pair of short passes from Steve Ott and David Backes to end the exhausting opening game. 

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock greeted reporters for the postgame news conference with a humorous "Good morning" early Friday after the marathon match.

"It's big. We want to start this series off on a good note," Steen said. "Especially at home in front of our fans."

Both teams will certainly enjoy a day of rest before meeting in Game 2 Saturday afternoon.

Lightning give up embarrassing game-tying own goal (VIDEO)

Jonathan Toews scored an unassisted game-tying goal for the Chicago Blackhawks late in the third period on Thursday night. But, maybe "scored" isn't the right word, seeing as Toews simply had to touch the puck before the Tampa Bay Lightning put into their own net.

With 1:49 left in regulation and a 5-4 Lightning lead, Toews tried to control the puck but had it taken away on a nice back-check by Marty St. Louis. Tampa Bay's Matt Carle sent the puck back to Radko Gudas with a little too much oomph and it went under his stick blade, off his skate and then past goalie Ben Bishop for the tying goal.

Officially the goal went down as an unassisted score for Toews but in reality, we all know who this one belongs to — Gudas with an assist from Carle.

The good news for the Lightning? They won the game in overtime, 6-5.

Guy watches 'Ellen' show during Blackhawks game (PHOTO)

This guy didn't let a Blackhawks game get in the way of his sensitive side. Thanks to modern technology, he found a way to watch "Ellen" in between dropped pucks. Now he gets a reason to dance in the stands without looking silly.

[Deadspin]

U think you've seen it all, until u find the guy watchin the Ellen show @ the #hawks game @WaddleandSilvy @Beardo33 pic.twitter.com/yq9aTgLd6G
— Joe Kelly (@Joe_Kells) October 18, 2013

Coach's house gets toilet papered after Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win

After the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup back in 2010, fans responded by toilet papering head coach Joel Quenneville's house in celebration. After all, it was the team's first title in 49 years.

Monday night, after the Blackhawks' stunning victory over the Boston Bruins to win the Lord Stanley again, Chicago supporters showed their appreciation once again by TP'ing the coach's home.

That’s a photo of Quenneville’s house via Paul Pabst, the producer for “The Dan Patrick Show.”

Ellie, a Blackhawks fan, tweeted that her friend is a neighbor of Quenneville’s and helped drape his house in Charmin while proudly posting photos of her own TP hanging skills.

Vandalism like this usually calls for a hosing down by the homeowner but Coach Q even came out and signed autographs for his giddy neighbors.

Coach Q signing autographs for the neighbors. pic.twitter.com/JXgrVr8Xru
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) June 25, 2013