How the Columbus Blue Jackets Will Shock the Hockey World and Win It All

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

No, there's no typo in that headline. About every 10 years or so, something happens. Something so big, something so contrary to everything we believe in, something so unheard of, that we all drop our collective jaws in amazement wondering if what we are seeing before us is, in fact, really taking place.

This “something” occurs in two forms. One in which an event occurs, perhaps an individual on a team or a solo athlete does something that we are all in awe over. 1962: Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain poured in 100 points in a regulation basketball game. At that point in time, who would have ever considered that as a realistic or plausible outcome of an NBA game? I dare say no one.

The other is what is commonly referred to as the “Cinderella Story.” The formula goes something like this: A relatively average team gets into a game or tournament they probably should not have reached due to their mediocre team and abilities.

During the course of the game or tournament, the players are able to dig deep and display talent beyond their normal capabilities. As a result, the team comes close to reaching some significant achievement, or better yet, actually does do something once thought unachievable.

The 1991 Minnesota North Stars (before moving to Dallas in 1993) lost to the mighty Penguins in six games. This after the North Stars had won a mere 27 games during the regular season (they were blessed with playing in a division with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were only able to muddle a paltry 23 wins during that same year).

Minnesota became the fan favorite of many casual NHL watchers as it was, simply put, a “feel good” story that drew attention to the NHL.

The 2006 Carolina Hurricanes also come to mind. They were pushed to the brink by the upstart Edmonton Oilers during a grueling seven-game series. Carolina came into the playoffs as the second seed from the Eastern conference, while the Oilers barely made the playoffs and were the eighth seed from the West. Both teams were not expected to cause the waves that they did that year (especially Edmonton).

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