Minnesota blitzes the league at 12-0, winning the Cup

The Northern Lights have etched their names in the record book in unthinkable fashion.

After sweeping the Denver Pilots, Chicago Saints and then taking the Ottawa Nationals out in four games, Minnesota smashed the league’s previous 12-3 best run with an outrageous 12-0 record.

'It still hasn’t settled in,' said team captain Mariusz Czerkawski. 'I’ve been here for 10 years and each year it’s felt a little closer and a little closer, but I’m starting to get older and you have to fight the thoughts away that maybe it won’t happen for you. I don’t need to fight those anymore. We’re at the mountain top and the flag is flying higher than ever.'

The team’s stalwart and steady captain, a man who’s scored 50 goals before and taken on any role the team has asked of him chose Miikka Kiprusoff as the the first Light he passed the Cup too. Kipper was the team’s first ever draft pick and has battled year in and year out to ascend to the top.

And what an ascension. Kipper simply refused to lose, stimying a hot Denver team, instantly denying the Saints with their MVP candidates before a Hall of Fame, 41-save performance in game two of the Cup Final that showed every GM and fan in the league that Kipper was not going to let his team lose a series, or even a game for that matter. It may be the game people talk about forever when they talk about the goaltender entering legendary status.

'What can you even say about a man who elevates himself to a god,' said veteran center Pierre Turgeon.

'Just let him see the puck and he’ll make the save,' said the bruising Douglas Murray. 'Hell, even if he doesn’t see it, he’ll stop it anyway.'

Contributions came from across the lineup, with snakebitten former Hart winner Marco Sturm coming alive in the Finals for three goals and most of his points. Mattieu Dandenault provided the steady hand Sandis Ozolinsh needed to excel, while future captain Vincent Lecavalier played a consistent game, and the gritty Rod Brind’Amour washed clothes on his six-pack and potted multiple game winners.

And all of it seemed questionable once the playoffs started. Minnesota limped to the finish line in the regular season, finishing third in the Western Conference as it struggled to find consistency.

'We could tell the pieces and the spirit was there,' said GM Josh Pagé. 'A lot of one goal losses and some good hockey, but the wins were just a little harder to find.'

Remarkably, Minnesota went 10-0 in one-goal games, giving fans heart attacks they’ll happily trade for a parade.

It’s a run unlike any we’ve ever seen, and a number that can’t be bested. 12-0. The Minnesota Northern Lights are Stanley Cup Champions.