Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

I’m with you on the rivalry. They’re still the Avs and that will always mean something to me as a Wings fan who began following the team in that era, but it’s just not the same. That’s why I found it more difficult to write that piece than it otherwise would have been. All of the important events in the rivalry are six or more years old now.

I’m not sure who is the biggest Wings rival now. Anaheim, probably, though the big showdown did not materialize this year.

That said, it’s hard to hate the Avs anymore… the Wings seem to have much more trouble playing Central Division teams than the rest of the league. And other than Cody McLeod’s octopus throw, a certain dangerous hit on Drake (forget who hit him, but brought back memories of Lemieux on Draper), and the Anti-Holmstrom antics (in which every team delights in participating), there really wasn’t much nasty going on. This series sorta was summed up for me in two statements: the Avs were really unlucky with injuries and the Wings took care of business. The “rivalry” was mostly just a talking point to take up air time… a throwback to an earlier time with different players and coaches when both teams were stacked with talent and had just a bit of bloodlust.

Anyway, good on ya for writing it. Good memories… and here’s to a season where the Wings hopefully make some more good memories. Go Wings!