from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,
The Red Wings skated to center ice and raised their sticks to salute the fans, and the fans raised the ministicks the team had given away as souvenirs in return, underscoring the connection the team and the city made in this place.
It was a playoff atmosphere, a party atmosphere.
"I've never had goose bumps this many times during a game in my career," said Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg, and this was his 1,000th NHL game.
If there was any consolation for the Red Wings missing the playoffs, it was this: Everyone knew this would be the last game at the Joe. The Red Wings could plan festivities and invite alumni to come back. The fans could come ready to say their goodbyes and raid the local fish markets.
Thirty-five octopuses hit the ice. Thirty-five. The Detroit tradition started in 1952, the eight legs of an octopus representing the eight playoff victories it took to win the Stanley Cup then. Well, on this night, it was almost as if each octopus represented a year at the Joe. Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader said there were so many that the players could smell them toward the end of the game.
"In a tough season, like it's been for us, I think this was a nice way to go out," Abdelkader said. "This building deserves it."
added 8:34am, from Craig Custance of ESPN,
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