Hockey Player Enters Stands To Fight
It was a scene that sent shockwaves through the hockey world. During a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche on March 26, 1997, Colorado player Claude Lemieux delivered a hit to Detroit player Kris Draper that left Draper with a broken jaw and other injuries. The hit sparked a brawl between the two teams that spilled onto the ice.
But that was not the end of the story. With just over six minutes left in the game, Detroit player Darren McCarty spotted Lemieux sitting on the bench and decided to take matters into his own hands. McCarty jumped over the boards and charged into the stands to confront Lemieux, who was sitting with some Colorado fans. The resulting fight was captured on camera and quickly became one of the most memorable moments in hockey history.
The Background
The hit that Lemieux delivered to Draper was not the first time the two players had clashed. In a previous game, Draper had hit Lemieux from behind, causing him to injure his knee. Lemieux had to sit out several games as a result, and he was determined to get revenge.
When the two teams met again on March 26, 1997, tensions were already high. The game was physical and intense, with both teams taking runs at each other. Late in the second period, Lemieux saw his chance for revenge and hit Draper from behind, sending him face-first into the boards. The hit was so hard that Draper's helmet came off and his face hit the boards, leaving him with a broken jaw, a broken cheekbone, and other injuries. He had to undergo surgery and was out of action for several months.
The Brawl
The hit on Draper sparked a massive brawl between the two teams that spilled onto the ice. Players from both sides were throwing punches and grappling with each other, and it took several minutes for the referees to restore order. By the time they did, there were players in the penalty box and others ejected from the game.
But the real drama came in the third period, when McCarty spotted Lemieux sitting on the bench and decided to take matters into his own hands. He jumped over the boards and charged into the stands, where Lemieux was sitting with some Colorado fans. McCarty pulled Lemieux to his feet, and the two began a vicious, bloody fight that was captured on camera.
Lemieux later claimed that he was trying to protect himself from McCarty, who had "lost it" and was coming at him with fists flying. But the footage clearly shows Lemieux throwing punches as well. The fight was eventually broken up by security guards, and McCarty was escorted back to the ice to serve his penalty.
The Fallout
The incident made headlines around the world and sparked a debate about violence in hockey. Some fans and players defended McCarty's actions, saying that Lemieux had gotten what he deserved for his dirty hit on Draper. Others criticized McCarty for taking the law into his own hands and acting out of revenge.
Both players were later suspended by the league. McCarty received a five-game suspension for leaving the bench during the game and entering the stands to fight. Lemieux received a two-game suspension for his hit on Draper. The incident also led to renewed calls for the NHL to crack down on dangerous hits and fighting.
The Aftermath
The incident had a lasting impact on both players' careers. McCarty went on to become a fan favorite in Detroit, known for his physical play and clutch goals. He helped lead the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup championships and became a beloved figure in the city.
Lemieux, on the other hand, was vilified by Detroit fans and players. He became a hated figure in the city and was booed every time he stepped onto the ice. He was eventually traded to another team and retired from hockey in 2009.
Conclusion
The incident in which a hockey player entered the stands to fight was a shocking moment in sports history. It highlighted the violent nature of hockey and sparked a debate about the role of fighting in the game. While some fans and players defended Darren McCarty's actions as a form of justice for Kris Draper, others criticized him for taking the law into his own hands. The incident had a lasting impact on both players' careers and the sport of hockey as a whole.
