In better times for both franchises, Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena was the site of most of the notorious incidents in the Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry. Darren McCarthy going after Claude Lemieux. Patrick Roy fighting, first, Mike Vernon, and then Chris Osgood in the rare goaltenders’ bouts at center ice. Lemieux seeking validation by dropping the gloves with McCarthy at an opening faceoff. And…
And more.
With Little Caesars Arena expected to be ready for next season, the Avalanche’s Saturday morning game against the Detroit Red Wings will be the final appearance for Colorado in the venerable “Joe,” scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a hotel and retail development along the Detroit River waterfront.