DETROIT – Bryan Burns is the Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer.
Tuesday night's game in Detroit against the Red Wings was not Burns' first trip to the legendary Joe Louis Arena. He was there for at least three very important playoff games last spring. However, Tuesday night's visit is one he decided to take special note of. He journalized it on the Lightning team website.
In it he notes the unseasonably warm weather in Detroit, the in-your-face immortalization of Steve Yzerman in Hockeytown, the Red Wings team lore found commemorated throughout the Joe, general happenings in the game, and even some comments about the food served in the media room.
Some highlights from the journal:
"The bus makes a right-hand turn off Jefferson St. onto Steve Yzerman Drive. The Lightning GM and former Red Wing great is immortalized throughout Detroit but having the street the arena sits on named after him is probably the coolest."
"The Red Wings have tributes to all of their Stanley Cup championship teams as well as past NHL award winners painted on the walls. I count Yzerman's name eight times."
"Certainly beats the meals provided during the playoff series, which I have a hard time recalling other than some type of mystery meat smothered in a brown sauce and more mystery meat in the form of an overcooked meatloaf."
"Just to drive home the whole Yzerman is everywhere in Detroit point, I can spot six Yzerman jerseys in the stands. And those are just from the section directly in front of me."
"Journey, Don't Stop Believin' on the speakers. Crowd is in full voice. They scream the South Detroit part. I've got to admit, I get a bit goosepimply when they do that. Not really sure why."
"Wheels up. Plane in the air. I'm ready for sleep. Hope the weather in Buffalo is as nice as today in Detroit."
While Detroit hockey fans anticipate the coming of a new multi-million-dollar arena for the Red Wings, it's nice to see out-of-towners are taking notice of the charming gem that Joe Louis Arena can be, despite its antiquated appearance and design.
Meanwhile, there was a hockey game played. The Red Wings (6-5-1) took down their new division rivals, 2-1. It was their second win over the Lightning (6-6-2) in this relatively young season. Next on the schedule is a visit to Mike Babcock and his Toronto Maple Leafs (2-7-2) on Friday.