DANBURY, CT - Just as no one expected Team USA to beat the Russians in Lake Placid in 1980, no one expected the hastily assembled Delaware Federals travel team to upset the Danbury Whalers 6-3. No one expected them to come back from a 3-1 deficit after two periods with five unanswered third period goals. But that's not the miracle I'm talking about. There's another, and his name is Daniel P. Farrell.

Dan is a heart patient. He was born with a condition that has a name as long as your arm, but you and I might know it as a "sunken chest". His ribs and breastbone are shaped differently such that his heart and lungs have only a small fraction of the normal amount of space in which to do their jobs. That often leaves him short of breath and lacking energy. But Dan has had a lifelong dream of playing professional ice hockey.

He got his chance last Friday night. He was permitted to dress and warm up with the Delaware Federals. Many assumed it was something of a token gesture.

Dan has been training and working out for months in preparation for this opportunity. His workouts are painful and exhausting in a way that few of us can imagine. His first visit to the Danbury Ice Arena was in the role of Coach for a very different Delaware Federals travel team on January 7, 2012. Delaware got thumped 7-1.

But Dan is used to things not being easy. He's used to things not always going right on the first try. And he's used to not letting that stop him, or even slow him down. Dan's commitment and dedication to his dream are what the miracle is all about. And maybe it's not all that miraculous -- since he achieved his dream through courage, perseverance, commitment, hard work, fighting through pain and teamwork. The things that "sport" is supposed to honor and exemplify.

There was no divine providence in Dan's accomplishment. The true miracle was that so many other people got to see it, got to share in it, got to understand what it takes to make your own miracles happen -- like Dan does.

Dan played his first professional game in front of a capacity crowd that included family and friends. He earned a point for an assist on the first of those five unanswered goals, the goal that started his team's unlikely third-period comeback rally, the rally that no one expected. His professional career is 100-percent winning. An unlikely and unexpected "Miracle on Ice" upset win.

Dan is courage. Dan is commitment and perseverance. Dan is teamwork, serving a penalty for a teammate and urging the others on from the bench when he's not skating his own shift. Dan is an inspiration to the rest of us.

February 17, 2012 may be the happiest day of Dan Farrell's life.

Dan Farrell's first visit to Danbury Ice Arena on January 7, 2012 was behind the bench as coach.

Dan shaking hands with Whalers' Captain James Sanford.

A little out of breath - not insurmountable.

Dan being counseled by former UHLer Michael Pomichter.

Dan on the bench supporting his teammates.

Dan consults with coach Brendan Tedstone.

Dan Farrell intently watching the action from the bench.

Dan, in the middle, surrounded by joyous and supportive teammates after the win.

Dan goes "crowd surfing" in Section 102 after the game.

Contact the author/photographer at bill.thebert@prohockeynews.com