In the spring of 1997 — a quarter-century ago — the Detroit Red Wings embarked on their quest to end a 42-year Stanley Cup drought.
The Free Press has commemorated that historic quest with a new book: “Stanleytown: The Inside Story of How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City After 41 Frustrating Seasons.”
Day 2: April 17, 1997
The backstory: After opening the 1997 playoffs with disillusioning 2-0 loss to the sixth-seeded St. Louis Blues, the Red Wings spent their off-day practice searching for their mojo and coach Scotty Bowman tinkering his lineup.