It was the most torrid seven weeks in Minnesota's NHL history -- a flash-fire of goals and kick saves that re-ignited the passion of local hockey fans.
"It spiked quickly and the flavors and the smells and everything was really intense for maybe six or eight weeks," said Bob Gainey, the coach of the 1990-1991 North Stars. "Leading up to the playoffs, our team that year had improved and progressed but we hadn't really been able to penetrate into the consciousness of the sports fans."
That was about to change. What happened next still defies explanation. Perhaps all the tumblers simply clicked in sequence in the celestial lottery.