Special to Detroit Free Press
In the spring of 1997 — a quarter-century ago — the Detroit Red Wings embarked on their quest to end a 42-year Stanley Cup drought.
The Free Press is celebrating and remembering the champs with our book: "Stanleytown: The Inside Story of How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City After 41 Frustrating Seasons."
Day 1: April 16, 1997
The backstory: For three weeks after the greatest night of hockey in the 18-year history of their building — Fight Night at The Joe — the Red Wings did little to buoy fans’ hopes that this would be the year the Stanley Cup finally returned to the Motor City.