The Red Wings celebrated their final game at Joe Louis Arena "in style" yesterday, from "sunny walks on red carpets to one last victory to a ceremony featuring such storied past members" as Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom and Scotty Bowman. Following the win over the Devils, fans "stood and cheered as players past and present took their seats on a red carpet" that spelled out “Joe” on the ice. One of the "most emotional moments came when Doug Brown wheeled out Vladimir Konstantinov, whose career ended after a limousine accident" in '97. The Red Wings will move into Little Caesars Arena next season "after 38 years at the Joe" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/10).
The event was "more than a farewell to a hockey rink." It was like "closing a door to your childhood, for both the players and fans." Red Wings LW Henrik Zetterberg said, "I've never had goosebumps this many times in a game" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/10). Loud, "boisterous fans tossed 31 octopuses on the ice during the game" (USA TODAY, 4/10). The DETROIT NEWS goes with the header, "Red Wings Party Like It's 1997 At The Joe."
