from Joe LaPointe at the Metro Times.

I recognized Dave Lewis, an assistant coach with the Red Wings. By then, I'd covered the National Hockey League for three newspapers in three cities; he'd played in the NHL for four teams before coaching.

"Joe," he said. "It's going to happen at Joe Louis Arena. Be there. People will come from Saskatchewan to see this."

He was smiling, slightly, but his tone and words were serious. I can't directly quote most of them because I didn't take notes and it was a quarter-century ago....

I covered the Joe Louis Bloodbath for The New York Times and got to both dressing rooms afterward to hear some blunt words.

"Retribution," a trembling McCarty said. "Back in the Bible, go to the Old Testament. An eye for an eye."

When McCarty started elaborating about "God's will," an alert public relations official announced that it was time to let Darren take his shower.

Down the hallway, in the Avalanche room, a different philosophical analysis was advanced.

"Everyone is gutless on that team," said Mike Keane, referring to Detroit. "This doesn't prove they are men. I think they are phony."

read on, it is a very long read but the best article I've read on the rivalry.

I wasn't going to post anything else on the game but this is a must read.