Kevin
and I recently attended a Red Wings game, one of the last to be played at Joe
Louis Arena. While we both agreed the Joe didn’t hold the same sentimental
attachment for us Tiger Stadium did, it was cool to climb those insanely steep
steps and squeeze into those super tiny seats one more time. A bonus for use,
they were playing Toronto so we got to see a good game (unfortunately a loss)
against an Original Six opponent instead of some bullshit team from a
non-hockey city like Phoenix. What I took away from our trip was a deep sense
of how lucky we have been in our lives to see our team achieve the highest
levels possible and how it really is time for a new arena.
Unfortunately
for us these were not the same Wings we grew up watching. More than once, we
turned to each other and muttered “who is that guy?” For 25 straight years we
have seen the Wings gearing up for a playoff run this time of year, not playing
out their season and the final days of an outdated arena. Twenty-five years,
that is 75% of my life spent watching the Wings in the playoffs. Their run is a
remarkable fete in not only hockey, but the history of ALL sports and seems
unlikely to be duplicated in the salary cap era.
I
started following hockey in 1995 when the Wings made it to Stanley Cup Finals,
getting swept by the Devils and extending Detroit’s Cup drought to 40 years.
Growing up, hockey was never a big deal in my house, baseball was the sport we
lived and breathed. I wouldn’t have been able to pick Steve Yzerman out of a
crowd before my dear friend Mike decided I should be a hockey fan (a million
thanks to that beautiful man). Hockey was to his family what baseball was to
mine so he was already well versed in a sport I knew nothing about. I was
twelve and wanted to play with my friend so I took in as much hockey as I
could, and it didn’t take long to get hooked. It helped that this was the era
Yzerman, Lidstrom, and my personal favorite at the time, Sergei Fedorov.
Though
his rep would take a hit in Detroit in the decade to come, Fedorov was still at
the height of his popularity and was arguably the best player in the league at
that time. While everyone else fought over who loved Yzerman more, and
rightfully so, I was mesmerized by the way Fedorov skated with speed and power,
the way he could fight off defenders and score almost at will. I had me a
number 91 jersey and a bitchin’ Nike stick that probably set my mom back way
too much from the old savings account. He is as nearly as responsible as Mike
for my love of hockey.
In
the years since 1991, we have seen one of the most dominant stretches in the
history of sports. From 1991 to 2016, the Wings rank first in the NHL in wins
(1,133), goals (6,518), playoff wins (170), and are tied for first with 4
Stanley Cups (eat a dick, Pittsburgh). Fifteen players who skated for the Wings
in those years are in the Hall of Fame. Yzerman, Lidstrom, Fedorov, Brendan
Shanahan, Igor Larionov, Larry Murphy, Chris Chelios, Dominik Hasek, Slava
Fetisov, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, Paul Coffey, Dino Ciccarelli, Mike Modano,
and Mark Howe. Pavel Datsyuk will join that list once he officially retires
form the NHL. Mike Ilitch, Scotty Bowman, and Jim Devellano are also in the
Hall. Nine of those guys were on the 2002 super team, probably the best team ever.
Outside
of the last few seasons, this was not simply 25 years of barely getting into
the postseason only to get bounced in the first round. The Wings routinely
finished at or near the top of the standings and were serious Cup contenders
almost every year. They won the President’s Trophy six times during the streak
and set the single season win record with 62 wins in the 1995-96 season. They
didn’t end that year with the Cup, but it did launch the most intense rivalry
these eyes have ever seen.
The Red
Wings/Avalanche rivalry didn’t last long, but when it was on it burned with
intensity of 7,000 suns. From 1996-2002 the teams met five times in the Western
Conference playoffs and combined for five of the seven Stanley Cups won over
that time. They were easily to two best teams in the league and they hated the
shit out of each other. It all started with that shit bag Claude Lemieux
smashing Kris Draper’s face into the boards with one of the cheapest, dirtiest
hits ever laid out. The Wings got their revenge the next season by bouncing the
Aves from the playoffs and winning the Cup. We also got this classic Joe
moment.
Perhaps
the best thing about the 2002 Cup win was blasting the hell out of Patrick Roy
in game seven of the Conference Finals. I almost pissed myself when that dick
did his stupid little Statue of Liberty thing and the puck trickled into the
net behind him.
It
is almost fitting that the streak should end this year. The team was terrible
with Mike Ilitch bought them, it makes sense that the passing of the man
responsible for it all would bring an end to the run. Also, they were terrible
when they moved into the Joe, might as well be terrible as they leave and move
to a new arena. Hopefully they can create the same level of excellence at the
shiny, new (and shittily named) Little Caesars Arena. Horrible names aside, I
can’t wait for them to be in their new digs. It brings all the teams in Detroit
to the same area, making a great vibe downtown. And, if we’re being honest, the
Joe is kind of a shit hole. It lacks any sort of modern amenities, it’s in a
less than desirable part of town, and fat people cannot be comfortable in those
damn seats. Sure, the place gave us some great moments, like this.
And
this.
And
a million more, but it is time to move on.
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