Latest report reveals the exact moment Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry reached a breaking point
Photo credit: Alan Lessig / The Detroit News
A new report uncovers the exact moment when the fierce rivalry between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings exploded into a full-blown brawl, reaching its breaking point.
Fight Night at the Joe Louis Arena may be one of the most notorious nights in NHL history, but it also marked a turning point that changed the course of the Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry.
Report reveals when Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry broke.
Todd Matthews from Octopus Thrower writes that Fight Night at the Joe remains one of the most unforgettable moments in the fierce Colorado-Detroit rivalry of the mid-to-late 1990's. The previous playoff season saw both teams clash fiercely, with the Wings coming up short.
By 1996-97, everyone in Hockeytown knew one thing: to finally win the Stanley Cup, the Wings had to get past the Avalanche, a team fresh off their first Stanley Cup victory in Denver, following their recent relocation from Quebec City.
"The Wings didn't just end up on the losing end of that series; the residual effects of Claude Lemieux 'shattering Kris Draper's jaw' was still fresh in everyone's mind. Both the fans and everyone wearing the winged wheel wanted to avenge that.
So, on March 26th, 1997, it looked like the Wings were destined to be second fiddle in the Western Conference to the Avalanche, having lost three games against them that season leading into the contest. The Wings were just looking for a reason to get some revenge, even if chances were good that the Avs would keep upending them." -Matthews
So, on March 26th, 1997, it looked like the Wings were destined to be second fiddle in the Western Conference to the Avalanche, having lost three games against them that season leading into the contest. The Wings were just looking for a reason to get some revenge, even if chances were good that the Avs would keep upending them." -Matthews
The game featured nine separate brawls, starting with Igor Larionov and Peter Forsberg sparking the main event. But honestly? It wasn't much of a fight, you can barely call it that. The official game card gave both just two minutes each for roughing.
"Things escalated fast, though, with Darren McCarty crossing Lemieux, looking him straight in the eyes, rearing back, and firing a punch to the jaw. If that wasn't revenge, then I don't know what is, because McCarty dropped Lemieux to the delight of those cheering on the Wings at the Joe.
Patrick Roy saw what was going on and, contrary to what you should do if you're a star player and let someone else handle it, he beelined to where McCarty was raining punches on Lemieux and jumped in." -Matthews
Patrick Roy saw what was going on and, contrary to what you should do if you're a star player and let someone else handle it, he beelined to where McCarty was raining punches on Lemieux and jumped in." -Matthews
But Brendan Shanahan wasn't having it, he was there to go after Roy, which sparked a showdown between Roy and Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon. The fighting kept escalating, turning what started as a regular season game into one of the most unforgettable nights in NHL history.
Now, here's the funny part: the Wings ended up facing, and beating, the Avs in the Conference Final that year, thanks in part to some heroic from Steve Yzerman. Then, they capped it all off by sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 to finally end their long Stanley Cup drought.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 5 | 19 ANSWERS Latest report reveals the exact moment Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry reached a breaking point Did the Avalanche and Red Wings rivalry reach its peak during the 1996-97 NHL season? | ||
| yes | 12 | 63.2 % |
| no | 7 | 36.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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