Flying High

AS MOTOWN, DETROIT HAS PRODUCED MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF CHART-TOPPERS, BUT WHEN IT comes to sports the city goes by the name of Hockeytown, and its greatest hits all feature the sweet sounds of steel on ice and wood against puck. From Gordie Howe to Steve Yzerman, from the Production Line to the Russian Five, the players in red and white have enjoyed a special spot in the hearts of their fans—and, as the collection below shows, they've had some memorable moments in the SI spotlight along the way.

MARCH 18, 1957
Ted Lindsay and Gordie Howe were the Wings that propelled the NHL's first U.S. dynasty.

JANUARY 28, 1963
Tough defenseman Howie Young.

MARCH 16, 1964
NHL's most productive RW: Mr. Hockey.

APRIL 25, 1966
Bill Gadsby & Co. hammered Chicago.

JUNE 2, 1997
Cup-bound Detroit scorched Colorado.

JUNE 18, 1997
The Wings were back on top after 42 years.

JUNE 24, 1998
The Holy Grail stayed in Hockeytown.

JUNE 27, 2002
Hasek dominated en route to another Cup.

OCTOBER 14, 2002
With Chelios, Hull, Shanahan and Lidstrom, the Red Wings had an edge on the NHL.