It was back in 1997 (I think) in a regular season NHL game. Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings. The year before in the playoffs, the rivalry was born, when Colorado took Detroit out of the playoffs and Claude Lemiuex had cross-checked Kris Draper into the boards, basically completely damaging his face.
This was the Wings first chance at revenge, and the question wasn't whether it was going to happen, but when it was going to happen. Sometime around the 2nd period, right after a faceoff at center ice, Darren McCarty jumped Lemiuex and just began pummelling him with his fist. Lemiuex was in the fetal position on the ice, creating a bloody mess near the boards. As this was going on, the other 8 skaters were squaring off.
Just when I didn't think it could get any better, it did. I saw Patrick Roy out of the corner of my eyes skating toward the melee. Brendan Shanahan, while tangled with someone else, saw him coming and basically closelined him. That's when our goalie, Mike Vernon got involved, and him and Roy went toe to toe for what seemed like an eternity.
Later in the game, we were trailing 5-4 (I think Kamenski had a hat trick) and we tied it. In OT McCarty knocked home the winner. This win single handedly gave the Wings the confidence to knock them out in the playoffs, and go on to 2 straight titles.
The next best part about it was that I had money on Detroit -0.5, and also had money on OVER 7 (remember O/U's of 7 or 8 in hockey?).
That was my favorite sporting event. I'm sure 100,000 people in Detroit claim to have attended that one.
This was the Wings first chance at revenge, and the question wasn't whether it was going to happen, but when it was going to happen. Sometime around the 2nd period, right after a faceoff at center ice, Darren McCarty jumped Lemiuex and just began pummelling him with his fist. Lemiuex was in the fetal position on the ice, creating a bloody mess near the boards. As this was going on, the other 8 skaters were squaring off.
Just when I didn't think it could get any better, it did. I saw Patrick Roy out of the corner of my eyes skating toward the melee. Brendan Shanahan, while tangled with someone else, saw him coming and basically closelined him. That's when our goalie, Mike Vernon got involved, and him and Roy went toe to toe for what seemed like an eternity.
Later in the game, we were trailing 5-4 (I think Kamenski had a hat trick) and we tied it. In OT McCarty knocked home the winner. This win single handedly gave the Wings the confidence to knock them out in the playoffs, and go on to 2 straight titles.
The next best part about it was that I had money on Detroit -0.5, and also had money on OVER 7 (remember O/U's of 7 or 8 in hockey?).
That was my favorite sporting event. I'm sure 100,000 people in Detroit claim to have attended that one.
Balto vs Milwaukee 4 game series that wasn`t decided til the last day of the 1982 season...Earl Weaver retired after that sunday finale....The Orioles battled the Brewers the final month and with 4 to play were 3 games back....After winning the first 3 they lost the finale...Jim Palmer vs Don Sutton, Robin Yount hit two homers and Ben Oglive made an impossible catch robbing Al Bumbry of the game tying hit in the late inning...
MANY MANY games from the 1979 Orioles Magic season! It seamed every night they were winning dramatically! I was spoiled as a kid as Baltimore was always right there for the playoffs...
Maryland Terps upset #1 ranked Notre Dame this was back when Notre Dame had Kelly Tripucka, Woolridge and Tracy Jackson...I was right under the winning basket as time expired...the game was waon with a second left Greg Manning (Maryland Guard) penetrated the lane dished to center Larry Gibson who was fouled on the play and made the basket!
Maryland ACC Tournament Champions 1984 I use to go to the ACC tourney regularly...Being from ACC country back then it was always very dramatic, the league was so special back then...
Balto Blast vs San Diego Sockers game 4 1983 Championship...The Blast trailed by a goal with just over 3 minutes left and were short handed (a man in the box) Back in the 80`s Indoor Soccer ruled! The Blast tied it on a miraculous missle of a shot by Peter Baralic, I mean he crushed it from the blue line! In the final minute Joey Fink scored to tie the series and send it to a deciding 5th game ...It may have just been a soccer game but I never felt more electric as a fan!
MANY MANY games from the 1979 Orioles Magic season! It seamed every night they were winning dramatically! I was spoiled as a kid as Baltimore was always right there for the playoffs...
Maryland Terps upset #1 ranked Notre Dame this was back when Notre Dame had Kelly Tripucka, Woolridge and Tracy Jackson...I was right under the winning basket as time expired...the game was waon with a second left Greg Manning (Maryland Guard) penetrated the lane dished to center Larry Gibson who was fouled on the play and made the basket!
Maryland ACC Tournament Champions 1984 I use to go to the ACC tourney regularly...Being from ACC country back then it was always very dramatic, the league was so special back then...
Balto Blast vs San Diego Sockers game 4 1983 Championship...The Blast trailed by a goal with just over 3 minutes left and were short handed (a man in the box) Back in the 80`s Indoor Soccer ruled! The Blast tied it on a miraculous missle of a shot by Peter Baralic, I mean he crushed it from the blue line! In the final minute Joey Fink scored to tie the series and send it to a deciding 5th game ...It may have just been a soccer game but I never felt more electric as a fan!
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Charlie Maxwell:
Steeser, Good story. I am originally from Detroit before moving to Vegas in 1981. But I still follow the Red Wings and I remember that game also (I saw it on TV). Where in Detroit do you live now (or what suburb?)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey Charlie,
I live in Livonia now. Whereabouts were you from? Have you made it back recently and gotten to check out the new stadiums here?
Steeser, Good story. I am originally from Detroit before moving to Vegas in 1981. But I still follow the Red Wings and I remember that game also (I saw it on TV). Where in Detroit do you live now (or what suburb?)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey Charlie,
I live in Livonia now. Whereabouts were you from? Have you made it back recently and gotten to check out the new stadiums here?
Went to the "Catholics vs Convicts" game in 1988. It cost me $75 from a scalper, but I got to sit in the ND student section. I think there was about 25 players who went to the pros. Truly awesome game as Miami was #1 and had a huge winning streak. When Cleveland Gary couldn't hold on to the game-winning TD pass at the end of the game, we all stormed the field.
The most amazing thing about the game was that 59,075 people stormed the field and Jimmy Johnson's hair stayed in place.
The most amazing thing about the game was that 59,075 people stormed the field and Jimmy Johnson's hair stayed in place.
