Where credit is due

I was a hardcore fanatic of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars from the late 1970s until they relocated to Dallas in 1993. And I certainly enjoy the current pro hockey franchise in Minny (the Wild), though it's not on the level of my past North Stars fandom.

Given those factoids, it's correctly assumed that it's not in my nature to say anything nice about the Chicago Blackhawks, the franchise which was the Stars' bitter rival in the 1980s as well as the team who sent the Wild packing from the postseason in three straight years (2013 thru 2015).

But just this once I can't help but laud the Hawks given they allowed an accountant (aka my daytime profession) to play goalie for them on Thursday.

Scott Foster thought it was going to be just another night. Then the 36-year-old accountant signed a contract, put on his goaltender gear and waited in the Chicago Blackhawks' locker room. Then he got into the game.

Then it was his night.

Foster was pressed into action when Chicago lost Anton Forsberg and Collin Delia to injuries, and the former college goalie stopped all seven shots he faced over the final 14 minutes of the Blackhawks' 6-2 victory over the playoff-bound Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

"This is something that no one can ever take away from me," Foster said. "It's something that I can go home and tell my kids and they can tell their friends. ... Just a ton of fun."

Foster is part of a crew of recreational goaltenders who staff Chicago's home games in case of emergencies for either team. But it usually just means a nice dinner and a night in the press box watching the world's best players compete at hockey's highest level.

Nothing at all like this.

Between this and a few dudes resembling barflies winning an Olympic gold medal, we middle aged sports nuts have some genuine role models!!

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