21 Years Ago Today - Fight Night at the Joe

[Claypool]

The last true hated rivalry in the NHL. Will never see hockey like this ever again.

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[Devils090]

This was the best non traditional rivalry in sports, complete hatred

 

[Zirakzigil]

Has it been that long? I remember that game, my sister was a huge Wings fan back then. Loved seeing Roy bleeding all over.

 

[Mighty Makar]

Thanks for this. I remember this game. Awesome!

 

[DFC]

The entire narrative between the Aves and Wings for a few years was incredible. Every time they met, it felt explosive. You just didn't know what would happen.

The amazing thing is both of these teams were considered "skill" teams in an era of giants and monsters.

ADD: I'm still kind of shocked Darren McCarty didn't get suspended. Even in that era.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

21 years. Good grief.

One of my favorite times in hockey though!

 

[Puckstop40]

Man that was such a fun time to be a fan of the Avs. Every time these two teams played it was a bloodbath. Some incredible games with a ton of talent on the ice. Also, f*** the Red Wings, still hate them.

 

[dragonballgtz]

Great memories!!

I'm a huge fan of the Wings but if McCarty did that knee thing in today's NHL he would of had one hell of a suspension. Also, on Fedorov's 2-on-1 goal... just effortless smooth skating.

What a hell of a first game for Knuble lol

 

[Howie Hodge]

Loved seeing Lemieux getting pounded at any time. If not Rob Ray, then anyone else.

One of the reasons I would like to see Quebec with a team; the hatred with Montreal was epic when it spilled out onto the ice!

 

[Sniper99]

I was in San Jose Costa Rica on a grade nine trip and our bus got to our hotel somewhat late and we were all in our rooms, the next morning one of the teachers goes. "did you guys watch that game last night?" We said no, we found a boring nature show in spanish on our tv, I was so mad when he told us what happened.

 

[LeafsNation75]

It's amazing to look back at that game and see the players who were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame from both teams.

For Detroit there was Steve Yzerman, Sergei Federov, Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lidstrom, Larry Murphy and Igor Larionov. There was also Viacheslav Fetisov however according to the box score he did not play that night.

For Colorado there was Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy and Peter Forsberg.

 

[HolyCrap]

Thanks for posting. Amazing game. I forgot how much the game has really changed since seeing this.

 

[Nickmo82]

Mike Knuble's first game.

 

[MMANumminen]

Omg 21 years ago! How time flies by

 

[93LEAFS]

That was a hell of a rivalry.

 

[Beukeboom]

Ah, from a time when hockey was hockey!

Skill, physical play and animosity. Nowdays we only have skill...

 

[Iceman]

Some of these players don’t like each other to this day. Foote says publicly that he doesn’t like Draper. Chelios played pretty rough in the alumni game even.

 

[huoh]

one of the many things i love about this clip is that at 2:22 mccarty could have easily just swiped the puck for himself but nope, instead he goes on to hit the guy who is already down on his knees.

 

[Chuck Norris Trophy]

21 years already? Holy cow.

The kid next door had this game on a VHS and we watched it so many times the tape got completely unwatchable. Great times.

 

[tucker3434]

That was an awesome game. How many multigame suspensions would’ve been handed out if that game happened today?

 

[Leafblooded]

Best. Era. Ever.

Today's softy players wouldn't stand a chance. To think, only 20 years has passed, yet all that was hockey (read: passion, soul) has basically been squeezed out of the sport. Those were real men, and that's what I call real men's ice hockey.

 

[Spirit of 67]

I play hockey after work on Wednesdays. Then and still do in fact.

Anyway, I stopped by my local bar on the way home with a couple buddies and we asked for this game to be on the main TV.
Good call on that one. What a game.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Best. Era. Ever.

Today's softy players wouldn't stand a chance. To think, only 20 years has passed, yet all that was hockey (read: passion, soul) has basically been squeezed out of the sport. Those were real men, and that's what I call real men's ice hockey.

Nostalgia is quite the drug.

 

[tony d]

Amazing it's been 21 yrs. already. That rivalry was one of the best in hockey history for sure.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

I am not a violent person, but i wanted to smash Claude Lemieux's face until he cried and told me to stop, the tears of joy would overflow as i would stand over them and laugh hysterically.

Am i insane? was old time hockey awesome? Do i need pills? Or was it Claude Lemieux's fault?

Violence!