OffThePost.org

That's what transpired last night at the Pengrowth Saddledome, when Sloan faced the Calgary Flames in an underdog's tale of patience, perseverance and love for a sister who died eight years ago in a heart-wrenching accident on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Tara Sloan was a five-time national breaststroke champion and a likely member of the Canadian swim team bound for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She was driving to see her grandmother in Saskatchewan, when her van swerved and rolled several times leaving her with a serious brain injury.

Rocked by grief, Fred and Gayle Sloan made the decision to take their 20-year-old daughter off life support. Her death, at the height of her vitality, had a profound effect on Tyler, who turned 19 less than a week later.

"It just sort of happened," Tyler Sloan said of his transformation. "Swimmers are tremendous athletes. Their work ethic is unparalleled. I saw what it took for her to get there. That was important because I didn't realize what it took to get to this level."

Sloan later came across a journal his sister had kept of all her workouts and wishes. There were lap times, details about nutrition and a list of goals she'd hoped to achieve. He still reads the journal whenever he wants to reflect or simply needs motivation.

"Here's something else you should know about Tyler," said the proud father, who had driven his son's Jeep Cherokee to Hershey, Pa., where Sloan had been playing in the AHL, only to turn around and fly back to Calgary in time for last night's game. "He was never drafted at any level of hockey — not bantam, WHL, NHL, never."