For all intents and purposes, the Detroit Red Wings home opener at Joe Louis Arena can be deemed a success. Despite the team’s poor performance in the first two games of their season, the Red Wings managed to squeeze a 5-1 win out of the visiting Ottawa Senators.
Red Wings Kick Off Farewell Season At The Joe
This was a very special game for the Red Wings and the city of Detroit. It was the beginning of the end for their historic home. The first game of the last season at The Joe, an arena whose hockey roots date back to 1979 and span across one NHL All-Star Game, one NHL Entry Level Draft, twenty-five Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, four Stanley Cups, six retired number ceremonies, the Bruise Brothers, the Grind Line, Fight Night at the Joe, Stevie Y, and The Perfect Human.
The Joe is one of the oldest arenas in the NHL, second only to Madison Square Garden. And like MSG, Joe Louis is the only remaining arena to not be named after a corporate sponsor. Thanks to their $1 billion renovation from 2011 to 2013, the doors of Madison Square Garden remain open to their two professional sports teams. Unfortunately, The Joe received no such treatment and will be demolished next year when Little Caesars Arena opens its doors. This leaves Madison Square Garden as the only arena in the NHL that is not named after a corporate sponsor.
Needless to say, the hockey history is rich here. That’s why the Red Wings’ home opener on Monday night was so important. How do you say goodbye to a home that has given you so much? Whose iconic steps were trod on by fans young and old for thirty-seven years? Where blood was shed for teammates? Where cheers for the Stanley Cup echo off the concrete walls, up to the rafters where names like Howe, Lindsay, Abel, and Yzerman hang?
Thanks for the Memories, Joe. | #Farewell2TheJoe https://t.co/RcSxL9Ycyq
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 17, 2016
It was an emotional night as the team prepared for this long goodbye. But the Red Wings had to say one more goodbye Monday night.
Red Wings Pay Tribute to Gordie Howe
On June 10, 2016, the hockey world lost a legend in Gordie Howe. Howe played an illustrious hockey career that spanned across six decades. He’s best known for his time in Detroit, where he played from 1946 to 1971. Howe won six Art Ross Trophies, five scoring titles, six Hart Memorial Trophies, and four Stanley Cups as a Red Wing. He was not only one of the greatest Red Wings to ever lace them up, he was one of the best of all time.
So the Red Wings said an emotional goodbye to Mr. Hockey prior to the game Monday night:
Red Wings Home Opener A Success
To truly make the night a successful one, the Red Wings needed a win to avoid having the worst start to a season since 1989-90. The boys stepped up and took an early lead to close out the period with a 3-0 lead. Mike Green would go on to score his first career hat trick, adding to the already deep history of The Joe. Darren Helm would chip in with the other two goals to round out the Wings scoring. Jonathan Ericsson and Justin Abdelkader would each get a fighting major and Tomas Tatar led the team in CF%, generating more demands from fans to give the man more ice time.
The Wings sure turned it on for their home opener and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The win made for a fitting end to what was already a special night. It was the perfect way to kick off the last 41 games that would ever be played at The Joe.
Next Up
The Wings head to New York to play the New York Rangers tomorrow before coming back to JLA for a three game homestand. Let’s hope the momentum continues. The Joe deserves a goodbye of champions for all of the champions that grew up here.
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