From the THN Archive: A look back at Darren McCarty's review of the Brawl in Hockeytown
From the THN Archive: A look back at Darren McCarty's review of the Brawl in Hockeytown
The rivalry might have largely thawed, but the Red Wings-Avalanche rivalry was once one of the deepest in sports.
Both teams pretty much ran the Western Conference at one point, as either one won the Stanley Cup from 1996 to 1998 and 2001 to 2002. The path there, of course, often ran through each other. But really, the beef really took off when Claude Lemieux knocked Kris Draper head-first into the boards and severely injured him, an act for which Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty exacted revenge on the fateful day of March 26, 1997. Fight Night at the Joe, the Brawl in Hockeytown, or Bloody Wednesday — no matter the name, its infamy is well known.
Since McCarty's defining fight — not to be outdone by his 1997 Stanley Cup-clinching goal against the Philadelphia Flyers — the involved parties are still largely around the sport. Draper is an assistant general manager for Detroit. McCarty is a local celebrity with stints in pro wrestling and marketing medical marijuana. And in a strange twist of fate, Lemieux is the agent for Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, one of Detroit's core young stars.
Today, as the Red Wings and Avalanche face off 27 years later, we take a look back at that famed moment in an April 11, 1997 article by Cynthia Lambert.
From the THN Archive: "McCarty has no Regrets for Avenging Lemieux's Cheap Shot on 'Brother'" by Cynthia Lambert
April 11, 1997 / Vol. 50, Issue 30
The players refer to it merely as ‘The Game.’ The Detroit TV station that aired it labeled it ‘The Brawl in Hockeytown,’ and rebroadcast it twice in two days.
The March 26 game between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings, won 6-5 in overtime by the home team, was one that won’t soon be forgotten.
The highlights-or lowlights, depending on your point of view-featured right winger Darren McCarty pummeling Avalanche right winger Claude Lemieux; goalies Mike Vernon and Patrick Roy slugging it out at center ice; and Detroit left winger Brendan Shanahan displaying his leaping ability when he intercepted Roy as the goalie tried to help out Lemieux.
“This…this was a great game,” McCarty said. “That’s hockey. That’s old-time hockey. People complain about ticket prices. Well, they got their money’s worth in this one.”
McCarty’s assault on Lemieux ended when linesmen separated the two, and Lemieux, on wobbly legs, was assisted off the ice, his head bloodied. The incident was in retaliation for Lemieux’s hit from behind on Detroit’s Kris Draper during Game 6 of the Western Conference final last spring. Lemieux was suspended for the first two Stanley Cup final games. Draper sustained multiple facial fractures.
“I don’t regret what I did,” McCarty said. “It was not pre-meditated in any way. I just got a snot at him and I took it. I think people realize how close Kris and I are. We’re like brothers. I remember telling him when he was in the hospital that if I got the opportunity I would do something.”
The league reviewed the incident and McCarty did not receive supplementary discipline.
Draper said he believed the score has been settled and he is ready to move on.
“Do you say it’s even now? Maybe,” Draper said. “I’m glad, and I’m sincere about this, that (Lemieux) was able to come back and play. 1 didn’t want to see anyone go through what I did. Maybe this will give me a sense of closure.”
NOTEBOOK: Two alleged off-ice incidents in the Colorado game were under investigation by the NHL. Defenseman Aaron Ward, who was dressed in street clothes after being ejected from the game, said Colorado coach Marc Crawford assaulted him outside the dressing room area following the contest. “I filed a report with NHL security and that’s all I can say,” Ward said. Meanwhile, Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix, apparently upset with Detroit News columnist Bob Wojnowski over a March 26 story, allegedly elbowed the reporter and swore at him as he walked through the press box after the first period. Wojnowski referred to right winger Claude Lemieux as ‘Claudia’ in his story.. The Wings exercised their option on left winger Brendan Shanahan’s contract, picking up another two years at salaries of $4 million each, and carrying through the 1999-2000 season. “It’s nice to have it done,” Shanahan said. “I already bought a house here and it’s nice to know I’ll be able to live in it.”
The THN Archive is an exclusive vault of 2,640 issues and more than 156,000 stories for subscribers, chronicling the complete history of The Hockey News from 1947 until today. Visit THN.com/archive and subscribe today at subscribe.thehockeynews.com
Also from THN Detroit
Cossa Earns First AHL Shutout in 1-0 Griffins Win
Prospect Roundup: Emmitt Finnie Finding Scoring Touch for Kamloops
Trade Deadline: Would Jake Guentzel Fit with the Red Wings?
Sandin Pellikka, Skellefteå Fall in Champions Hockey League Final
Michael Rasmussen Signs Four-Year Extension with Red Wings
‘This is What You Play For’: Veteran Presence Leading Red Wings Closer to Playoffs