CUP CRAZY!

RAISE YOUR HANDS HOCKEYTOWN!

WE GOT THE CUP, STILL GOT THE CUP!

CUP TO CUP

A Stanley Cup.
A tragic accident.
A trade.
An unsigned free agent superstar.

On June 7, 1997, the Detroit Red Wings hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years, basking in the glow of a sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers. Nobody had picked Detroit – but yet they proved they were champions.

Six short days later, tragedy claimed the careers of team masseur Sergei Mnatsakonov and “The Vladinator,” the big-time agitator on the blue line, Vladimir Konstantinov. A time of celebration and jubilation was cut short, and the time was spent in introspection and agonized waiting as the lives of those two very special people hung in the balance. As hours turned into days, days into weeks, and weeks into months, the two Red Wings pulled out of their comas and ever so slowly began to make improvements.

As if losing two integral parts of their team was not enough, the Wings faced the 1997–98 season without the Conn Smythe trophy winner and playoff MVP Mike Vernon. Twenty-five year old Chris Osgood was shrouded in questions that only he could answer. He performed well enough during the regular season, but was this kid tough enough for the playoffs? Could he stand up to veteran goaltenders like Patrick Roy of Colorado or Eddie “The Eagle” Belfour of Dallas? Could he take the Wings where only the Pittsburgh Penguins had gone in this decade with back-to-back championships? So many questions that had no answers.

As the team headed to Traverse City, Michigan, for training camp, they began to realize that nobody could replace their fallen comrades. And they also knew that the time had come for Ozzie to prove his net worth. It was at this time when they dedicated themselves as a team to each other — and to play this 1997–98 season for Sergei and Vladdy. The city of Detroit rallied around their team, and the cry throughout Hockeytown became “Believe.” And from day one they believed.

The Wings got off to an unbelievable start, but they were not complete. Their superstar center was still unsigned, and as Christmas came and went, the hopes of signing Sergei Fedorov diminished. When the Carolina Hurricanes signed Fedorov to an offer sheet around the Olympic break, it forced the Red Wings organization to dig deep — deep into their hearts to see if they really wanted this guy and into their pockets if they did. They knew the kind of impact player Fedorov had been and still could be. Most importantly, however, they realized that their chances of winning the Stanley Cup again were better with him than without him. So they made the only decision they could; they matched the offer, making the speedy center a Red Wing once again. Sergei Fedorov began that day to mend fences with his teammates and with his fans.

This was clearly not the same Detroit Red Wings team as it was a year ago. They missed Konstantinov patrolling the blue line., and for much of the season, they missed the creativity of Fedorov. Yet they still found ways to win. They were better in many ways. Fedorov’s absence opened up the power play and the penalty kill as well as giving ice time to more players. The season began and ended as a true team effort. When they were down, they knew they were never out. They always had a sense that they could win. They needed only to believe.

As the playoffs began, doubts still lingered — about the scoring, about the blue line, about the goaltending. Game by game, the Wings battled through it, proving that they could play any game at any time. Even when they were down two games to one to the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round, players began coming back from their injuries, contributing to the concept of the team effort. As players like Brendan Shanahan, Martin Lapointe, Brent Gilchrest, and Kris Draper began making their comeback, so did the Wings, winning three straight from the Coyotes to take the series, four games to two.

Overcoming adversity was the name of the game in each round. In the Western Conference semi-finals, the Wings found themselves in a double overtime game after Al MacInnis tied it at 2 with just 30 seconds left to go in the game. They found themselves battling with Norris Trophy finalist Chris Pronger and Brett Hull’s wicked slap shot. But they regrouped; they ignored the ill twist of fate and took the game on a goal by Brendan Shanahan. They never stopped believing. Against Dallas, they had to overcome the odds of beating the President’s Trophy winners at least once at Reunion Arena in Dallas in order to win the series. They did. And after losing a heart-breaker in overtime in game five, the Wings eliminated the Stars in Game 6 at Joe Louis Arena.

This was a team on a mission. They were in the finals for the third time in 4 years, and they had a chance to win this Stanley Cup for the two men they dedicated their season to: Konstantinov and Mnatsakonov. Detroit played just well enough to win in the first three games, turning on the after-burners when they knew they were in trouble. They were down by 2 goals in the third period of Game 2, but they came back to win that one in overtime, breaking another 42-year record in the process. They had their eyes on the prize again. By the time Game 4 rolled around, they knew they wanted to end it. Again, the Wings jumped out to a 1–0 lead, and built on it for a final score of 4–1 to become the first team to sweep back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals since the New York Islanders did it in 1982 and 1983. When Steve Yzerman was handed the Stanley Cup, he took it right to Vladdy Konstantinov who was waiting for him in his wheel chair on the ice. The team huddled around Vladdy, talking to him and hugging him, telling him that this time, he would have the chance to celebrate with the Stanley Cup.

The season began as a clinic on teamwork and ended the same way. Steve Yzerman said it best: “That’s why we’re successful. We’re not a bunch of stars … we’re just a good, close-knit hockey team.” It is a team that wins and loses together, and one that stays together because of how deeply they feel about each other.

The story behind the 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings transcends all sports. It is a story not of an athletic achievement, but a story of dedication and overcoming adversity. The Detroit Red Wings demonstrated by their character throughout the season all that is good not just in sports but in life as well.

Any feedback may be sent to my column: On Center Ice.

STEVE YZERMAN IS THE E-SPORTS! PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!!

We all knew that the heart and soul of Detroit Red Wings hockey was Steve Yzerman. He's a sure bet for the Hall of Fame when he retires... he can do it all.

Congratulations Stevie Y!