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Vladimir konstantinov6/19/2023 ![]() ![]() The heart of the Flyers was the Legion of Doom line of superstar center Eric Lindros, left wing John LeClair and right wing Mikael Renberg - all at least 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds. To reach the finals, the Flyers had blown away their competition - 4-1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-1 over the Buffalo Sabres and 4-1 over the New York Rangers. The Flyers were the third seed in the Eastern Conference, having finished second in the Atlantic Division with 103 points, one fewer than the New Jersey Devils. And Detroit wasn’t favored again, according to the national pundits. Since winning the Cup in 1955, Detroit had failed in the finals in 1956, 1961, 1963, 1964, 19. ![]() NEW COACH: What Red Wings' 2022 search reveals about GM Steve Yzerman ![]() Could the Wings end their 42-year Stanley Cup drought? Could the Flyers end their 22-year drought? But in a little more than 24 hours, five days after the Wings polished off the Avalanche and six days after the Flyers ousted the Rangers, the teams would return to the ice in pursuit of Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail. Players were paired at tables in a restaurant - and there was no shortage of interesting comments. Also at the Spectrum, the NHL held its Stanley Cup Finals media day. His name last popped up during Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, when a partial power outage led to slushy conditions in Denver’s McNichols Arena. To ensure a slick rink, the NHL’s ice guru, Dan Craig, was on the case. Ice crews were expected to start work around 1 a.m., after Friday night’s performance of the Ringling Bros. Arena officials guaranteed CoreStates would be game ready with perfect ice in plenty of time for Game 1. The backstory: On the eve of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Red Wings practiced for the first time in Philadelphia, although in the Spectrum, the Flyers’ old home, because the circus was in town at the next-door CoreStates Center. 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 45: May 30, 1997 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. I need someone to start thinking about me and forgetting about scoring goals." His aggressive demeanor landed him the nickname "The Vladinator," so aptly taken from Arnold Swartzenegger's movie "The Terminator.Watch Video: Michigan law threatens ex-hockey star’s home care He was quoted saying this of his role: "I don't need to score the goal. His job was to get the opposition off of their games. He was not the guy that had to score the goals, and he knew that. Konstantinov's aggressive style was the reason he was drafted by the Red Wings, and he knew his role very well. Red Wings fans remember Konstantinov for his toughness and leadership on the ice, while the rest of the hockey world remembers him for the tragic ending of his career. Konstantinov, who had his playing career cut short at the age of 30 due to a limousine accident six days after the 1997 Stanley Cup finals, is still a recognized member of the team at age 42, 12 years after the accident. This picture is the last we all remember of the great Vladimir Konstantinov on ice for the Detroit Red Wings, but his legacy is still a big part of the Red Wings locker room. ![]()
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