Sweet sweep
Detroit ecstatic after Wings win second Cup
Posted: Wednesday June 17, 1998 11:56 AM
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Fans streamed into the streets of downtown Detroit (AP) |
DETROIT (AP) -- The streets of Detroit ran red and white early Wednesday as
hundreds of fans celebrated the Red Wings' second consecutive Stanley Cup
win by chanting, dancing and waving brooms.
After the roar died down from a sold-out Joe Louis Arena, where people
watched the 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on
television, fans streamed into the streets of downtown Detroit to high-five
any and every passerby and chant, "Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!"
"Hopefully, we'll be back for a three-peat," said Mark Davis, 25, of
Detroit, who came to the Spirit of Detroit statue clutching two brooms.
The dancing in the street wasn't just confined to the Motor City. In
Washington, Wings fan Michael Sullivan, 23, danced a jig in the middle of
the street outside MCI Center.
"I think they won this one for the city," said Sullivan, one of the
thousands of Detroit fans to make the trip. "You don't see that kind of
loyalty in pro sports anymore. Hockey is definitely a passion in Detroit. I
don't think that people realize how much Detroit loves the sport."
Fans in suburban Detroit turned violent. Two young men were stabbed on a
street where large groups gathered after the game, Roseville Police Chief
William Lucas said today in a statement titled "Stanley Cup Playoff Civil
Disturbance." They were listed in serious condition.
Another man was beaten in a separate assault. Lucas and other Roseville
officers were not immediately available to explain any connection to the
hockey celebration.
Twelve people were arrested in Detroit -- eight accused of disorderly
conduct, one of drunken driving and three of ordering drinks without
paying, said Sgt. Eleanor McBurrows. She said there was no property damage.
When the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years last June,
their celebration was cut short by a limousine accident just six days later
that injured three team members.
Fans packed into Joe Louis Arena to watch the final game on television (AP) | |
The celebration began again on Tuesday and will continue Thursday, when a
parade down Woodward Avenue and rally in Hart Plaza are planned. On Friday,
a rally at Joe Louis Arena is planned for season ticket-holders.
"It's just great for the city all around," said Joe Marion, 27, of
Newport, who was watching the game with his buddies and puffing on a
victory cigar at Nemo's Bar. "Every time a Detroit team wins a
championship, it just brings everyone together."
"For the second year, the Red Wings' teamwork and masterful play have
helped them capture one of the greatest trophies in professional sports,"
said Mayor Dennis Archer. "I congratulate them on keeping Lord Stanley's
cup in Hockeytown."
In Detroit, highway exits leading to downtown were shut down just before
midnight as the city became gridlocked with revelers, Detroit police public
information officer Ricardo Moore said. He said he knew of no arrests late
Tuesday night.
Police Chief Isaiah McKinnon kept an eye on the crowd at the Spirit of
Detroit statue, which had been adorned with a huge Red Wings jersey all
week. The jersey was removed Tuesday night as a precaution.
At the famed Lindell AC, a legend among local sports bars, every seat in
the small saloon was taken by a Wings fan Tuesday night. When Doug Brown scored
Detroit's first goal early in the first period, the place erupted in cheers
and high fives.
Back in Washington, Vladimir
Konstantinov, a player who suffered head injuries in a limousine
accident just six days after the Red Wings' Stanley Cup victory a year ago,
was pushed onto the ice in his wheelchair before the NHL presented the
Stanley Cup to the Red Wings.
When MVP Steve
Yzerman was handed the trophy, he placed it on Konstantinov's lap. His
teammates formed a circle around him and he raised two fingers to signify
the second title. His teammates then pushed him around the ice in a victory
lap.
The Red Wings arrived in Detroit about 4:30 a.m. today. With the Stanley
Cup in the front seat of one of the team buses, players waved to a group of
about 10 fans.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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