This season, Joe Louis Arena is 38 years old. Many performers such as Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Michael Jackson, have stopped on their tours to Joe Louis Arena. Four Stanley Cups have been won since Joe Louis became home to the Red Wings, and two of those cups were hoisted at home. The Red Wings have hosted 25 consecutive years of Stanley Cup Playoffs at The Joe, giving them the longest playoff streak in American hockey history. Joe Louis Arena is one of the most iconic hockey arenas in the United States, and we are saying farewell.
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This past weekend, I was given the honor to visit Joe Louis Arena in one of their final games. This was the Red Wings against the New York Rangers. As a Saint Louis Blues fan, I felt awkward not seeing my team playing but I did get to witness two of the Original Six play in regular season. It was interesting to see a different culture that is the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings are part of the Original Six in the National Hockey League. They have been a team for 90 years even though the National Hockey League is celebrating 100 years of hockey. The Red Wings have a deep fan base in Detroit that has been growing for generations. I saw fans of all ages and diversity. From infants to wheelchairs, from French to Swedish, the stands were full of people.
Walking around the stadium, there was artwork everywhere for the Wings. There were murals for current and hall of fame players. There were stickers on the ground of their famous players and famous performers that were part of the arena. There were statues of late players. The graphics and art pieces that made the graphic designer in me giddy. I loved the way they used strokes, fonts, and did so many things with a simple palette of red and white. The design team at Joe Louis Arena is very impressive and I admire their work very much.
I almost forgot the relationship between the Red Wings and Little Caesar's Pizza. I noticed most of the basic concession stands, but suddenly it was the concussion stands were Little Caesar's Pizza! The late owner of the Detroit Red Wings, Mike Ilitch, was also the founder of Little Caesar's. To think he took his two most favorite things and put them together makes me inspired and satisfied. Mr. Illitch was another Cinderella story. He came from rags to riches. He was a hard working man that had a heart full of passion. To me, he is an inspiration. His legacy shall live on through his franchise and team.
As a horrible Blues fan, I found myself wearing a Red Wings jersey for my loving boyfriend, who calls himself a die hard Red Wings fan. As I said before, I felt very uncomfortable. I was in a foreign city and I was culture shocked by the Red Wing fans. I stood up like everyone else with my hand over my heart for our National Anthem. I didn't know what key to sing it in because it was not Charles Glenn singing. And instead of saying "And the home of the---- BLUES," someone threw an octopus out on the ice!? How someone was able to bring in a dead octopus and I can't bring in a Louie the Blue's bear plushie, is beyond me.
I sat quietly through the game observing the arena and the different interaction with fans. There were different giveaways such as "Pizza Toss," when they toss Little Caesar's Pizza in the stands. The Jumbotron looked like something out of a 90s movie with rotating advertisements, flashing lights for goals, and simple scoreboard features among the big screen. I could see the teams' benches and they were still wood compared to metal in the newer arenas. The ceiling was covered in banners of retired numbers and championships. The boards on the rink were extra bouncy, I was terrified of the people in the glass seats! I could see where the goal judge used to sit in his box when that was a job before technology gave us "replay." (pictured below is an example of a goal judge box, not the actual box.)
Unfortunately for the Red Wings, the game ended 1-4, falling to the New York Rangers. My boyfriend got to experience at least one goal with his fellow fans. His smile was ear to ear all night. I loved getting to share this experience with him. Although I am a horrible Blues fan, I am still just in love the game I can never play. I am a die hard Blues fan, and as a big-hearted Blues fan, I wanted to be there for a fellow hockey fan.
Here's to Hockeytown, you deserve it. Here's to the Joe, thank you for the memories.
Energetic dance performance under the spotlight.
Taylor Swift in a purple coat, captivating the crowd on stage.
Taylor Swift shines on stage in a sparkling outfit and boots.
Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers sharing a joyful duet on stage.
