Wednesday, Bloody Wednesday.
March 26, 1997 is a day that will forever live in Hockeytown lore.
Red Wing and Avalanche fans certainly remember the melee that ensued in the Joe (Joe Louis Arena) that spring evening just 13 years ago. "Fight Night" at the fabled rink wasn't a game; it was a battle that has been seared into the memories of those who watched it.
It's hard to believe that it has been nearly a decade-and-a-half since Claude Lemieux, a notoriously "pesky" player, checked Kris Draper from behind and into the boards in Game Six of the 1996 Western Conference Finals. It was a nasty hit that fueled a rivalry.
"Drapes" suffered a broken jaw and underwent reconstructive facial surgery—Lemieux likely didn't foresee the repercussions that were to come his way, or did he?
Just a year later, the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings physically rekindled one of the ugliest, hatred-filled strives in all of sports. The bad blood lasted for nearly five years, but it's not forgotten.
Fans had Igor Larionov vs. Peter Forsberg.
The Vladinator vs. Adam Foote.
We're just getting star ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by adam biggers
Red Wings-Avalanche Brawls: 13th Anniversary, Forever in Our Minds
March 26th, 2010 by adam biggers Leave a reply »
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