The Infamous Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche Brawl of 1997

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March 26th, 1997

The Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche met at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI for a regular season game. This game turned into a classic when it erupted into a brawl that even involved two hall of fame goaltenders. The focal point of this battle, however, was the retribution given to Claude Lemieux by Darren McCarty for Lemieux's cheap shot on Kris Draper in game 6 of the Western Conference Finals in 1996.

It is thought that this night bonded the Red Wings together enough for their run to the Stanley Cup in 1997, their first since 1955.

It was a momentous night in Hockeytown.

• Category

  Sports

[Chekkogrnteam]

Happy 16th anniversary to Daren McCarty making Lemieux his bitch.

[Arsen1c42]

I'm Brendan Shannahan, of the National Hockey Leagues Department of Player Safety. What happened on this day, in a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche, at approximately 17:29 of the first, I witnessed myself performing an illegal check that was directed towards the head of Avalanche goaltender, Patrick Roy. This is a violation of the illegal check to the head rule. After careful review and consideration, I have decided to suspend myself for 5 games.

[Kody Palmer]

Roy got his ass kicked.

[hycklaren reinfeldt]

Claude Lemiuex is the biggest pussy in NHL history...

[njdevils17]

Does anyone know the name of the song that begins around the 4:40 mark? Thanks

[Ryan Ruggles]

Avs got their asses kicked. Claude just crumbled like a little bitch.

[jebxbouck94]

i love how the announcers can instantly turn from hockey announcers to UFC announcers, Go Detroit 

[Rvdecwthug]

That does not matter, because it made for the best rivalry in Hockey at the time. When you look at the NHL today, they have no marque rivalry that all Hockey fans can idenifty with

[derationalize]

I fucking hate the wings, but Claude Lemiex deserved every inch of that ass whooping...kind of feel sorry for teammates having to stand up for his sorry ass.