https://youtu.be/3oYqe_QZf_A?si=TcEhy-2KKAg8w2ig
Seriously. Watching this with fresh eyes, 25 + years later, there was all kinds of unabashed slashing, cross checking to the head and neck, slew footing, punches to the face, fights, it's a wonder any hockey happened at all.
I am not shocked at all by how much Colorado hated us, and we earned much of that ire. Don't get me wrong, fuck Colorado, they're dirty assholes. But shit. So were we.
11 comments
It sure was one hell of a rivalry, I wish I was around to see it.
The hit on Draper started it all. We needed that game on March 26 1997 so evolve into a championship team.
Espn’s unrivaled is a must watch!
I was 17. I haven’t experienced anything like it since. It was so intense. It’s hard to describe. My whole family watched every playoff game together and just lived and died by every moment. My dad went to game 7 in 2002 and got me a hat at the game.
I had my second kid when they won there first cup in 97 and watched 98 as well, that is such a different time now, hockeys changed drastically
That season made me what I am now.
Every series in 97 was brutal, that was hockey
You also have to understand the history. Throughout the 90s the wings were called soft and that even stuck with them after the first cup. Philadelphia was a “playoff team” and supposed to take ‘em out. The wings played with a lot of chips on their shoulders. The hit on Drapes and the idea that this soft team could never win in the playoffs.
I watched it as it happened.
What a kick in the balls
People obviously remember the Draper hit, the brawl, and some footnotes like Kozlov faceplanting Foote into the boards, but if you actually watch the full games between Detroit and Colorado in 97 and 98 it is *insane* what those two teams were doing to each other outside of the highlights.
I recently watched this as well. Well worth th watch. Games are highlights only but include all physicality not just goals.
Unfortunately hockey will never be played like this again in the NHL. The hatred was so real..