I remember I was reflecting on the team's season when it happened.

As I sat in my room pondering the Pittsburgh Penguins' latest defeat, a terrible 3-2 setback to the less-than-glorious Boston Bruins last Wednesday, I wondered if this was going to be yet another roller-coaster season for the Penguins.

For the past few seasons, the Penguins have struggled through the regular season and won just enough games to make the playoffs.

In the post-season, the Pens always play their best hockey, and many a top-seed has played a great season only to be eliminated by the underdog Penguins in the first round (a.k.a. New Jersey and Washington).

However, the Cinderella role only takes a team so far, and the Penguins have not visited the Eastern Conference finals since they lost in seven games to Florida in 1997. It is hardly a coincidence that it was the great Mario Lemieux's last season with the Penguins,.

Suddenly, I was woken from my reverie by a fellow Penguins fan that called me up and said, "You better take a look at this." As I read the article, tears almost came to my eyes.

Lemieux, "Super Mario", Pittsburgh's Hall of Fame center and possibly the greatest player to ever grace the ice, had decided to return to the NHL after three and a half years of retirement.

Lemieux had begun to work himself back into shape about two months ago, keeping his return a secret from everyone. He then approached Penguins' captain Jaromir Jagr and told him of his plan. Soon after, the word was out.