Red Wings: Four Memorable Moments from the Last Four Titles

When Detroit Red Wings defenseman and now studio analyst Larry Murphy compared the ’97 Cup to his kids, I couldn’t grasp the reference. How could he not have a favorite title? I knew you’re not supposed to have a favorite kid, but how could you not have a favorite Cup?

Nearly a quarter century later with kids of my own, I now understand. It’s the same reflecting on the Cup wins as a fan through the lens of time. It’s not that one is better than the other–it’s that certain things stand out from each one.

There’s been a lot of nostalgia on social media lately centering around Red Wings Cup victories that occurred around this time. And questions have been asked about which of the Cup wins was the most memorable.

I don’t think you can pick just one as Murphy alluded to. If anything, you can pick a moment from each that stands out more clearly than the others.

So taking a break from rebuilds and trade rumors, here are a few that stand out to me:

Red Wings 1997 Win – Stevie’s Lap with the Cup

It was utter relief when the final horn sounded, ending 42 years of frustration and the notion that the Red Wings couldn’t finish. Here he was–a gap where a tooth once was in his beaming grin, hoisting is for all to see and then taking a lap around the ice as the crowd cheered and the 90s Detroit staple We Got Stanley blared at the Joe.

It was when he handed it to owner Mike Ilitch that I remember my mom saying how happy she was they won it for him. She watched through the “Dead Wings” era. She suffered with us during those playoff disappointments. From there, I remember the relief and thinking how lucky I was to see them win for the first time in over four decades.

Red Wings 1998 Win – The Cup goes to Vladdie

I bet you remember where you were during this one. The mantra “Believe” willed the team through the season and also a tough playoff run that tested everyone’s mettle. The Wings rallied to take the opening series against (then) Phoenix.

Chris Osgood overcame some tough goals in those first three series to backstop Detroit to the Final. The Washington Capitals played Detroit close including a memorable Game 2 victory where the Red Wings rallied twice from two-goal deficits and won in overtime.

But when Vladdie was brought to the ice, and Yzerman accepted the Cup from Commissioner Gary Bettman, everyone knew what was happening next.

I also remember Bill Clement telling Osgood to “tell the world” as he skated with the Cup because man was he dogged throughout that whole run. But there’s nothing that will top the moment where the Wings surround Vladdie–with the Cup in his lap.

2002 Red Wings – Game 7 against Colorado

So this was a tough one to narrow down. This team was absolutely loaded with talent, led by a hall of fame coach who would retire from the game following the win. There’s Igor Larionov’s game winner in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. What about the rally against Vancouver where Detroit erased a 2-0 deficit? Or another classic: “The Goal Counts! The Goal Counts! The Goal Counts!” 

But ask any Wings fan about the game they remember most from that run and it has to be Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. It was a fitting end to a back and forth series that saw Dominik Hasek shut out the Avs in consecutive elimination games.

Everyone expected that game seven to be a tight, stressful game. Instead, the Wings blew them out 7-0 and sent Patrick Roy to the bench after the sixth goal. The taunts and my favorite, the Bronx cheer after he stopped a puck following the first four goals, is forever ingrained in my head.

As my buddy Mike, who’s a Blackhawks fan  said as he watched it unfold: “Just give the Red Wings the Cup.”