My Top 3 Experiences at Joe Louis Arena
If you’re from Michigan, you know what Joe Louis Arena means to the city of Detroit. The home of the Detroit Red Wings since 1979, the arena has seen it all. From Stanley Cup championships to concerts from popular artists, the arena has served as a symbol of the Motor City for the longest time. Sadly, the arena is closing down, and the Red Wings will be moving to the brand new, state of the art Little Caesars Arena right down Woodward beginning next season.
I’ve personally been to the Joe for several Wings game, some college hockey events, and one non-hockey related event, and each event is a moment in itself. Whether it was with family or friends, I always had a good time at the Joe. As fans of the team and the arena prepare to say their final farewells this weekend, I want to take this time and reflect on the top three events that I’ve been a part of at the Joe.
1. My First Red Wings Game (Red Wings vs Sharks, 2010 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 4, May 6th, 2010)
The fact that my first Red Wings game ever was a playoff game was incredible in itself. My cousin Zak worked for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the minor league affiliate for the Wings, so he got tickets and brought my dad, my brother, and I to the game. Being a playoff game and all, the atmosphere was electric, and the place filled up quickly. Going into the game, the Wings were facing elimination from the San Jose Sharks, being down 3-0 in the series at the time. Even though the series was out of reach, fans entering the arena were optimistic going in to game 4. The pregame was somber, for it was the day after legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell passed away. After a moment of silence, the arena erupted with “Ernie” chants. The game itself turned out to be a slaughter of the Sharks, as Johan Franzen scored four goals in a 7-1 rout of San Jose. Valteri Filppula, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brian Rafalski each scored one goal to round out the scoring, whereas for the Sharks, the lone goal belonged to Danny Heatley. I have never cheered so loud when the final horn rang out. The Red Wings were eliminated from the playoffs the next game, being a part of the playoff atmosphere at Joe Louis Arena was incredible. So far, I’m 1-0 at home playoff games, and hopefully I can go to another one in the near future to extend my streak!
2. College Hockey At The Joe (Michigan vs Michigan State)
While the Wings call the Joe home, there were other sporting events that occurred. The Horizon League called Detroit home to the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments since 2016, there have been several figure skating events, and even the last game of the 2006 WNBA Finals were held there. But one event that I enjoyed was the Michigan-Michigan State hockey series. The in-state rivals always play a game or two at Joe Louis Arena, recently for a new trophy called “The D”. While I never went to one of those games, the games I went to were when Michigan and Michigan State were both good teams, and either one or both of them would make the NCAA Hockey Tournament. Michigan won all the games I went to, which didn’t help because I would root for Michigan State. But if you’re looking for a college hockey experience at the Joe, with the bands, the fight songs, and a hot rivalry on the ice, there’s none better that Michigan-Michigan State.
3. My First WWE Event (Monday Night Raw, March 13, 2017)
I am a huge wrestling fan, and I am glad that this event would happen to be my final event at Joe Louis Arena. Mother nature decided to have it snow, but that would not stop me! My friends Josh and Kenny got tickets in pre-sale for Christmas, whereas I got mine on Stubhub three weeks before the show. After meeting them at a bar in Greektown and getting some drinks with them, we departed for the people mover to take us to the Joe. This was my first WWE event EVER, so being able to go with some friends and experience it with them made me feel better about being a rookie there. We were on the Road to Wrestlemania 33, so there was a sense of excitement in the air. The vendors had these shirts that read “Last Go At The Joe”, and I would’ve bought one if they didn’t sell out when I got in line. The show in itself set the stage for Wrestlemania for Raw; a tag team championship match was made, Roman Reigns and Shawn Michaels (which shocked everyone) discussed Reigns’ opponent, the Undertaker, and Nia Jax went about and tossed Raw Women’s Champion Bayley around like a rag doll, getting herself a chance to make the women’s title a Fatal-4-Way the following week. The end of the show set the scene for the Triple H-Seth Rollins match at Wrestlemania, with Rollins returning, dropping his crutch before attacking the COO of WWE. Triple H then decided to use the crutch to injure Rollins further, putting his Wrestlemania hopes in jeopardy again. As the show ended, and I walked into the cold Michigan night, I was happy and sad at the same time. I was happy because I was able to see a WWE show, but I was sad when I realized that it was my last time at the Joe.
We all have our memorable moments from the Joe, even if you were a visitor rooting for the other team. I was glad to make memories at the Joe, and as we focus now to the new arena, I’m sure we’ll take the history of the Joe, a place many fans called home for centuries, and bring it with us to Little Caesars Arena. Thank you for the memories Joe Louis Arena!
