In every sport, teams must balance their staffing needs with both roster and salary cap limitations.
For that reason, as you get further down the depth chart of backups, things tend to get a little … bizarre. Punters can become third string kickers, shortstops can become pitches, and, in hockey, when two NHL players are out of the game, accountants can become goalies.
Such was the case on March 29 when the Blackhawks, having lost their regular starting goalie (Anton Forsberg) to concussion symptoms, his backup (Corey Crawford) to an injury earlier that day in practice, and the second backup (Collin Delia) to a mid-game injury in the third period as the Blackhawks led the Winnipeg Jets 6-2.
Having two goalies scratched before game time, the Blackhawks called up a third backup, Scott Foster, who isn’t really a hockey player at all these days, for the night’s game. As Deadspin points out, you’re more likely to find Foster touting his financial services — accounting and reporting! — on LinkedIn than you are on any sports site. The 36-year-old has a strong hockey pedigree, but one that seemed to end in 2006 when he wrapped up his playing days at Western Michigan.
In the waning moments of the match, Foster was sitting pretty, even for an accountant with 10 years of rust on his hockey skates. He blocked all of the seven shots that came his way, maintaining the lead and giving Chicago the win in more than competent fashion.
Here are his thoughts on the surreal experience:
Hopefully, he’ll be spared any further service this season, as we’re creeping up on tax time, an accountant’s busiest time of year.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.