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Note from the editor: The author’s views and opinions in this article are their own and may not align with Playinmichigan’s stance.
As avid supporters of Detroit sports, our current sources of excitement revolve around two key aspects: 1. The exhilarating drafts that hold the promise of a brighter future; 2. Engaging documentaries that nostalgically recount the glorious history of our beloved teams.
This Sunday, ESPN will broadcast the long-awaited “Unrivaled” documentary, providing us with an opportunity to revisit the past. The documentary delves into the intense rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, capturing their fiercely competitive history.
Without any doubt, I can confidently state that I have never felt this thrilled to tune into a TV show.
How to watch ESPN’s Unrivaled documentary
ESPN will broadcast the documentary on Sunday, June 26, at 1 p.m. ET. The program will showcase interviews with notable players from both teams, such as Darren McCarty, Kris Draper, Claude Lemieux, Patrick Roy, Steve Yzerman, and Vladimir Konstantinov.
This is going to be incredible.
Red Wings vs. Avalanche was the fiercest rivalry in hockey history
The trailer, which made its debut on Twitter approximately a month ago, sent shivers down my spine.
I believe this marked the pinnacle of my enthusiasm for sports. Initially, this realization brought a tinge of sadness, considering that I was only 13 years old when the intense rivalry began, and it essentially concluded when I turned 20. Such a limited time frame is not ideal for reaching the peak of any interest, except perhaps in the realms of academics or dealing with acne.
If my assumption is correct, it was an incredible pinnacle. The Red Wings not only actively pursued and achieved championships, but they were also deeply involved in the most significant rivalry of that era. Every encounter with the Avalanche was a must-watch event, as it held immense significance and the unforeseen was always a possibility.
ESPN won’t hear any disagreement from me when they claim that the rivalry mentioned in the trailer is the most intense one in the history of hockey.
Between 1996 and 2002, the Avalanche and the Red Wings encountered each other five times during the playoffs, resulting in the Avalanche claiming victory in three of those instances. Throughout this period, the two teams collectively clinched five out of the seven Stanley Cups, with the Red Wings securing three of those championships.
They were not only fierce rivals, but also the most influential teams during that era.
According to Lemieux, a rivalry may originate on the ice, but it fails to truly escalate if it remains confined to that realm. I agree with his viewpoint. However, I would contend that the intensity of the Red Wings and Avalanche rivalry reached new heights not solely due to Lemieux’s hit on Draper, but rather because their matches involved the NHL’s top two teams.
The outcome of the playoffs held significance beyond Michigan and Colorado, as it highly suggested that the victorious team would soon be celebrating their championship win.
Pure hate for Claude Lemieux
However, let me clarify, the hit in 1996 ignited the fire, and the brawl at Joe Louis Arena 10 months later added fuel to it.
The intensity was palpable, as the animosity between fans of both teams ran deep.
To discover the Colorado players I strongly disliked, simply click here, or here, or even here. You get the idea.
Lemieux was undeniably at the forefront of the list for obvious reasons. Although he and McCarty have reconciled and the animosity has diminished, I cannot deny the surge of emotions that arose within me upon seeing his face in the opening shot of the trailer.
Mario Lemieux must have faced backlash in Detroit, as his name became synonymous with a curse word there.
The unity witnessed in Michigan as people rallied around their shared hatred and felt a sense of release when McCarty relentlessly attacked him is possibly the most cohesive the state has ever been.
The perfect ending
The memory of McCarty landing a punch on Lemieux’s head remains vivid, yet our affection for this rivalry is likely connected to its ultimate conclusion.
The conclusion of Game 7 during the 2002 Western Conference Final marked a significant turning point. Although it doesn’t imply that the two teams or players suddenly became fond of each other the following season, the intensity of the rivalry was never quite the same.
Luckily, for us Detroit fans, the conclusion was truly magnificent. With an impressive 7-0 victory over the Avalanche and Patrick Roy being benched, everything fell perfectly into place. We were able to have the ultimate satisfaction in having the final and resounding laugh.
The probability of witnessing a rivalry like this again is quite low. This statement applies not only to these two teams specifically, but to rivalries in general.
However, for a brief two-hour window every Sunday, we have the opportunity to relive those moments. During this time, we can transport ourselves back in time, temporarily escaping the current state of disappointment that plagues Detroit professional sports. It allows us to indulge in the nostalgia of our peak sports fandom and temporarily forget about the current desert we find ourselves in.
The thought of it is giving me goosebumps.
