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 has commemorated that historic quest with a new book: “Stanleytown: The Inside Story of How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City After 41 Frustrating Seasons.”
Day 41: May 26, 1997
The backstory: At the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, two days after the United States upset the Soviet Union in the Miracle on Ice, the Americans still needed to beat Finland to capture the gold medal.