Viktor Fasth Proving the Dream Can Never Die

(Jeff Gross / Getty Images)

 After an intense 3-2 shootout victory at the Honda Center, Anaheim Ducks back-up goaltender Viktor Fasth skated onto the ice to the cheers of a capacity crowd for first star honors. Fasth, visibly emotional after earning his first career win in his first career start as an NHL netminder, stuck around for an on-ice interview presented to rollicking Ducks fans further relishing the team's first home win of the season. Struggling to find the words to describe his feelings (perhaps in awe of his accomplishment, or maybe it was just a language barrier thing,) he spoke into the microphone that boomed throughout the stadium, "It feels great. I've been waiting 30 years for this."

 That's funny, that Swedish guy is so happy that he can't even count right. 30 years, ha! But upon closer inspection, Fasth's timetable was not incorrect at all.

 After tearing up the Swedish Non-Elite League for three years, he joined AIK of Sweden's SEL. Departing after two solid seasons there, Viktor Fasth finally got his chance with an NHL club at age 30.

 Since his debut, he has earned two more wins, improving his record as a starter to 3-0, and he has looked great in the process. He's been in position for the first save, battled to make second and third saves on occasion, and has come up big for his team when it matters most. In the three games he has won, they were settled in a shootout, by one goal, or by two goals with the insurance marker coming with only 1:34 left in the game. With the exception of some slow starts and possibly the orange and white piping on his mask, everything about Fasth's game looks great.

 And wait, this guy is 30!? Heck, three years ago he was playing in Sweden's top Non-Elite League! Why suddenly is Viktor Fasth coming out of seemingly nowhere to become one of the best stories in hockey? The answer is a simple one, and one of the oldest this game has ever offered: Never giving up.

 Early in this shortened NHL season, Fasth is proving that through hard work and determination, you're always within an arms reach of your dreams. Yeah, it sounds a little cliche and a little Walt Disney, but hey, he's playing for the (Mighty) Ducks, am I right!?

 Fasth's play in net has not only earned Anaheim six points much-needed points, it has not only handed the red-hot San Jose Sharks their only regulation loss of the year, it also has some people questioning the starting status of Jonas Hiller. Hiller was spectacular between the pipes and made the All-Star Team back in 2010-11, but in the 2011-12 season ,he was the model of inconsistency. This year, Hiller hasn't played poorly, but Fasth is certainly breathing down his neck. We may see a bit of a goaltending controversy in Anaheim is Fasth can continue to play this well.

 Declaring Fasth a late-blooming prodigy is probably going to far, but no one can deny that he has proven that you can never give up. No dream is ever truly dead until you say it's so. Good for you, Viktor Fasth, for never letting your dream die.

 Oh, and NHL.com, if you find yourself struggling to come up with any of your signature cheesy puns for Viktor Fasth headlines, do not fret. We've got you covered:

TOO FASTH, TOO FURIOUS

FASTH-EN YOUR SEAT BELT

FASTH-ER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT

ON THE RIGHT FASTH

FASTH THE SALT

LIFE IN THE FASTH LANE

 Those should be cheesy enough for you. HASHTAG HOCKEY PUNS!