Joel Kiviranta, Dallas Stars

“(It takes) special hands to score a goal in tight like that,” said Jamie Benn.

Unlikely heroes are to the Stanley Cup playoffs what presents are to Christmas: ey’re an expected, but surprising, part of the tradition.

There couldn’t have been a more unlikely star than the 24-year-old winger, who was brought to the bubble to serve as a Black Ace. Instead, an injury to teammate Andrew Cogliano – an iron man who rarely misses a game – gave Kiviranta the chance he needed to make his mark. And he ran with it.

Stepping into the lineup in Game 7 against Colorado, he completed his first career hat trick with an overtime dagger that sent the Avs packing. In doing so, he became the first player since Wayne Gretzky in 1992 to tally a Game 7 hatty, and became an immediate sensation in Dallas, and in the hobby. He only burnished that reputation with a spectacular late goal that tied up Game 5 against the Golden Knights to set up Gurianov’s OT heroics.

“(It takes) special hands to score a goal in tight like that,” said Jamie Benn.

It’s been an impressive coming-out party for the unheralded rookie free agent who had just one goal in 11 regular-season games, but looks ready to assume a larger role for the Stars next season.

Collectors hoping to climb on his bandwagon haven’t had an easy time of it. Coming into the playoffs, Kiviranta’s entire cardboard output was restricted to Finnish issues, including his 2014-15 Finnish Cardset ERC (#300). Fortunately, Upper Deck recognized his hat trick on a Game-Dated Moments card issued on Sept. 4, giving North American collectors something to tide them over until his RCs hit this fall.