Detroit Red Wings get a 2016 Stadium Series (video)

Jan 20, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) receives congratulations from center Stephen Weiss (90) after scoring in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the good things to come out of the NHL All Star weekend this year has to be the news that the Detroit Red Wings will be getting a Stadium Series in 2016.

Probably the best part about getting a Stadium Series is that the game is against the Colorado Avalanche. Any Red Wings fan knows that some of the best rivalry games through the late 90’s to early 2000’s were against the Avalanche. In March 1997 a brawl broke out between the two, which in the history of hockey brawls, this one was one of the best and a personal favorite.

Everyone went at it including Avalanche goaltender at the time Patrick Roy and Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon. Goalies were actually fighting. It was an epic battle between the two that hasn’t really been duplicated since, at least in Red Wings history.

The Detroit Red Wings hated the Colorado Avalanche and the Avalanche hated the Red Wings just as much back. From 1996–2002, the two met in five playoff series, three times they met in the Western Conference Finals. Together the teams won five Stanley Cups and four Presidents Trophies.

Their rivalry died down in 2001 when the two were knocked out of the first round. Patrick Roy and other players from the infamous 97 brawl were either retiring or not playing for the team anymore.

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In fact they didn’t meet again in the playoffs until 2008 when the Red Wings swept the Avs 4-0 in the playoffs. The Wings ended up going on to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup. Since then however the team have only meant twice a year once at home for each team.

This will be the first Stadium Series for the Red Wings. In 2014 the Red Wings took on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Big House in Ann Arbor Michigan in the Winter Classic. They lost the game 3-2 in a shootout. Their first Winter Classic was in Wrigley Field where they won 6-4 over the Chicago Blackhawks.

One interesting aspect of the Winter Classics and Stadium Series are the uniforms the two teams end up wearing. It will be interesting to see what the teams will get and while Stadium Series tend to get new ones, there is some hope that they could be influenced a little by the retro uniforms.

Some have said that the Stadium Series and Winter Classics are getting too ridiculous and boring. However I think they are fun, and I will usually end up watching them regardless of who is playing. It nice having NHL hockey around the New Year and it is cool to see an ice rink be put into a football or baseball stadium.

The Red Wings and Avalanche rivalry is one I wish was still as popular as it was in the 90’s. However the Stadium Series will be a fun revisit of it. Barring any coaching change Patrick Roy will still be there and watching that guy coach is something I suggest everyone do. I’m excited about this Stadium Series game.

What are your thoughts on the Winter Classic and Stadium Series? Do you like them? Sick of them? Let us know below.