flashOverride

April 1st, 2015 at 11:29 AM ^

Not as momentous as the previous year's 26 March, but a great night indeed. I felt like Osgood getting the shutout plus the recently returned Fedorov scoring both goals really kicked off the run to a repeat. 

I just hope this year's team can get everyone back and get in a rhythm before it's too late. It has been an awful month of hockey. 

1464

April 1st, 2015 at 11:37 AM ^

I'm a bigger Michigan fan than Wings fan, but the 6-5 game against the Avalanche was a better, more bitter rivalry game than anything I've seen with OSU v Michigan.  The Michigan/OSU rivalry was better on a large scale, but for one night, there was never a better sports rivalry.  Ever.  

Does anyone have that on tape?  I would pay full DVD price to own that game.  I've looked and looked.  I know that it would sell like crazy in Detroit if it came out on DVD...

flashOverride

April 1st, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^

There's a DVD set I got about ten years ago, it has the highlight compilations for the 1997, 1998, and 2002 Cup runs. It also has five complete games, Game 7 against the Blues in 1996 (Yzerman double OT winner, Osgood shutout), Wings-Avs brawl 26 March 1997, Game 4 against the Flyers in 1997 (first Cup win in 42 years), Game 3 against the Hurricanes in 2002 (Larionov triple OT winner)...and for the life of me I can't remember what the other game is (maybe Game 2 against Washington in 1998). I'm not at home right now, I'm not sure about the name either. I wanna say "A Celebration of Champions" or something like that.

EDIT: just remembered, fifth game on the DVD is Game 7 against Colorado in 2002, the 7-0 beatdown. 

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

April 1st, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^

You want this if you can get ahold of it:

http://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Red-Wings-Celebration-Champions/dp/B0002W…

I have one and it's awesome and you can't have mine.  Among the terrific things on there are five of the best Wings games from the really big dynasty era, in their entirety.  The turtle game is one.  The Yzerman double OT winner against the Blues is one.  I believe the sweep-clincher against Philly is one.  Plus I think the Carolina series Game 3 (3OT) and the game after the Statue of Liberty game where the Wings scored seven.

Plus of course all sorts of other highlights.  I'm sure Ozzie's fight with Roy is on there, I think Crawford's meltdown, whatever.  If you can get your hands on one of these, do it.

xtramelanin

April 1st, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^

one of my father's long-time friends until his passing a few years ago.  i note the article says gordie was one of the greatest of his era or time.  gordie was the best of all time, bar none, every era.   love that guy and the many memories of my youth with him.

rob f

April 1st, 2015 at 5:21 PM ^

about Gordie's birthday (for those not fully aware, he turned 87 yesterday).  Always a fighter, the amazing Gordie Howe has somehow successfully fought through a slew of illnesses and medical problems over the last few years ,surviving despite at times reportedly being near death.

Belatedly, Happy Birthday, "Woodrow"!

GordieHowe.jpg 

 

BuckNekked

April 1st, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^

I was at that game. After the amazing win pace the Wings set in the strike shortened 95 season and the record breaking 96 season and the heartbreaking losses in the playoffs the Wings had a fairly subpar 97 regular season. That March 27th night we served notice we would not be denied again. It was beautiful. Orgasmic lol.

I have a 16X20 framed picture of Lemieux in the turtle and McCarty coming in with an uppercut signed by the entire team. I am acquaintanced with Adam Deadmarsh's mother and she sent me the stick he finished the game with autographed. 

This and the National Championship that year were the pinnacle of my fandom.

Bryan

April 1st, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^

along with being at the previous year's fight. I remember there being a decent amount of blood on the ice. Hockey has never quite been the same. 

Cali Wolverine

April 1st, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^

...I have enjoyed watching the Kings do some incredible things the last few years...but man I couldn't wait for those Colorado v Wings games. Didn't hurt that my Michigan girlfriend's family had 5th row center ice seats.

CoverZero

April 1st, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^

Chris Osgood is so unappreciated.  He was not a superstar, but was a pretty damned good goalie and the team played well in front of him because they knew that he would come through if needed.  He has HOF stats, but for whatever reason probably wont get there due to perceptions.

Maize and Blue…

April 1st, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

To make a great rivalry.

The Wings have not had another team that they actually hated as much as Colorado since they killed them in 2002, and they have had no great rivalry since.

The Pistons had three great rivalries and all were based on hatred for the other team, and the desire both teams had to win a championship, first Boston, then Chicago, and then Indianapolis.

Outside of Boston-New York, LA Dodgers - SF Giants, LAD - San Diego,baseball has few hated rivalries.

The Lions used to have hated rivals throughout their division, the Bears mostly, earlier the Vikings, now hopefully the Packers, and that might help them become a better team again.

We are fortunate to have two hated rivals - Michigan State, who hates us more than we hate them because they have taken most of the beatings, and our arch rival who hates us the same amount as we hate them, because of all of this competition and hate, we are blessed to witnes some of the greatest games in sports.