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When the Red Wings Got the Greatest Revenge in Hockey

Syno

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The Avalanche Red Wings rivalry was one of the most intense in NHL history, defined by brutal playoff battles, personal vendettas, and a legendary brawl on March 26, 1997. Sparked by Claude Lemieux’s hit on Kris Draper in 1996, tensions erupted a year later when Darren McCarty ambushed Lemieux in a fight filled game that featured a goalie duel between Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon. Sparking one of the most feared and exciting rivalries in hockey

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20 Comments

@SynoGG Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Rest In Peace, Claude Lemieux

@Hojo392 1 year ago

I was living just outside Detroit when this happened. Ignited the city.

@-BUGZ- 6 months ago

Devorski is a GOAT Referee for that quote! I have heard it before but forgot the end of it, “Payback is a Bitch” haha

@detroitotaku 1 year ago

Don’t forget that the Red Wings and Avs met one more time in the second round of the 2008 playoffs, which the Red Wings won in a sweep en route to defeating Crosby and the Pens for the Cup.

@krisholden5365 8 months ago

This rivalry defined my childhood. I was 12 when this game happened and I remember every single second of it. I watched it with my dad and we still talk about it to this day. I’ll never forget when Vernon and Roy started to go and the announcer started yelling their names! I get chills thinking about it!! Man I love this sport.

@Pocketrocket-pj1us 1 year ago

7:30
Don't forget that Lemieux and Roy came through the Montreal system together, Winning the 1986 Stanley Cup over Calgary in 5 games.

Both rookies were the difference makers, with Roy winning the Playoff MVP and Claude Lemieux scoring 10 Goals, including the game 7 OT winner against Hartford in the 2nd round and another big OT Goal against the Rangers, in the Confrence finals.

Both players also played in the 89 finals. So to say they were friends, would be an, understatement!!!

Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada

@ericksheldon3870 1 year ago

You should’ve waited for 3/26 to upload this, on “Payback’s a Bitch” day!

@zayneflynn1348 1 year ago

While the hit from Claude Lemieux was the considered start of the rivalry many Colorado players say it started earlier in the series with the hit to Adam Foote in the the metal piece of the boards causing him to be busted open and the referees didn’t call it

@deBebbler 8 months ago

The greatest double minor in NHL history.

@toddm9501 5 months ago

2 Great teams. Period. They matched up at every position.

@DenverAirsoft1028 1 year ago

Great video, my dad and uncle always talk about this rivalry and I unfortunately was not alive for it but I do like to watch videos of all the brawls and iconic moments from this rivalry.

@thedizzyunicorn 1 year ago (edited)

I remember this like it was yesterday. As a wings fan, I had an unhealthy hatred for Claude Vernon and Roy weren't mortal enemies, they had breakfast the morning of Roy's last game with Montreal.

@hunitpax3943 6 months ago (edited)

Those fights were in the first hockey game I ever watched 😳 been a fan ever since go Wings 💯

@GarretMartinn 6 months ago

Just the memory of singing Patrick off the ice in 2002 after the sixth goal. Gives me chills to this day. And yeah, they played again in 2008 and tied up the playoff series at three, but that was so little of the rivalry left that it was almost a different era. But it still counts because there were players from the rivalry still on the teams, and I consider that at the end of the rivalry.

@Canada123 1 year ago

My son played recreational hockey with Chris Draper. They both went to Catholic high schools in Toronto.

@Memoirsofapsycho 1 year ago (edited)

I miss good blood rivalries like this. It was a magical time being a Red wings fan in Detroit in those days and I can only imagine it was similar out in Denver for the Avs. It's just too bad that it kind of fizzled out after a few years and then completely about 5 years afterwards. It's a long shot but it would be nice for the Red wings to be back in the western conference with the blackhawks, the Avs, the blues, and some of their other all-time rivals.