Comments / New

One More at the Joe

Joe Louis Arena opened its doors on December 12, 1979; two months later, the Capitals made their first visit to the new building on the bank of the Detroit River. This weekend marks the 40th – and final – appearance for the Caps at this landmark of Detroit sports, as the Joe is set to be demolished at the end of the 2016-17 season.

For a look back at that first visit, and all of the games since, we turn to our resident historian and friend of the Rink Glenn Dreyfuss:

Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena is one of just two NHL rinks – along with Madison Square Garden – not named for a corporate sponsor. Instead, it proudly retains its connection to the hometown boxing champion. But like an aging fighter, “The Joe” is getting knocked down at season’s end. The Capitals’ visit on Saturday will be their 40th and last.

Washington’s first visit, way back on February 6, 1980, was the 13th game in the building’s history. One night earlier, a record crowd of 21,002 paid tribute to another of Detroit’s favorite sons, Gordie Howe, at the NHL All-Star game. Fewer than half that many saw birthday boy Bob Sirois forge a 2-2 deadlock for D.C. with an early third period goal.

Wings coach Bobby Kromm placed blame for his team’s “lack of effort” on the lack of a morning skate; the Arena wasn’t finished when it opened. “They won’t let us in until 3:30 p.m. because the workmen stand around and watch us,” fumed Kromm. “That’s the problem with unions today!” Interestingly, before a 1987 Caps-Wings game at The Joe, Detroit took a voluntary 5:30 p.m. pregame skate, then pasted the Caps, 6-1. Could results have more to do with the quality of players – and coaches – than unions?

In the early ’90’s, the Murray brothers matched wits at The Joe (and Capital Centre): Bryan, G.M.-coach of the Wings, versus younger sibling Terry, Bryan’s successor in Washington. “I get excited about coaching against him,” said Terry. “Bryan was my mentor and I want to prove he taught me a few things.” Tied 4-4, the Murray rubber match was decided in, of all places, Milwaukee, a 4-2 Caps (and Terry Murray) victory in 1993.

A 5-4 Wings win in 1991 was quite the homecoming. Four Caps – Al Iafrate, Kelly Miller, Kevin Hatcher and Todd Krygier – had Michigan roots. Too bad friends and family at The Joe saw the visitors give up four goals before the game was 14 minutes old. “It’s always fun to come home and play,” Iafrate said. “But I was on the ice for three of the first four goals. That’s no fun.” Iafrate did register a third period tally as a Caps comeback fell just short.

The Capitals fared better at The Joe than you might imagine, with Detroit holding an 18-15 regular season edge in wins, with six ties. Washington went 3-2 in overtime, 1-2 in shootouts.

As we prepare to bid farewell to the Red Wings venerable home, here’s a look at some highlights from the Caps’ history at Joe Louis Arena:

Highest Score: Wings 8-7, Apr. 1, 1983  Tom Rowe, a former Caps 31-goal scorer who had 11 points all season, racks up five points, including the game-winner with :31 left. In a 5 1/2 minute span late in the second period, the teams combine for six goals. Sacrificial netminders Al Jensen and Corrado Micalef are forced to play the entire game.

Lowest Score: Wings 1-0, Nov. 10, 2015  Former Red Wing – and Capital – Sergei Fedorov drops the ceremonial first puck. Then Alex Ovechkin drops 15 shots on goal, trying to break a tie with Federov for most NHL goals by a Russian-born player. No pucks dent Wings goalie Petr Mrazek on this night, but in the Detroit rematch eight days later, Evgeny Kuznetsov scores in overtime for a 2-1 Caps victory. Braden Holtby pitches a shutout over the final 57:57.

Indignant Caps Coaches

Fantastic Finishes

Netminding Gems

And five of the best…

 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Talking Points

%d bloggers like this: