The Joe Gets Spruced Up For Playoffs
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's not just the players and the fans who are getting ready for Wednesday night as the Red Wings enter round one of their bid for another Stanley Cup. Joe Louis arena is getting a little spruced up.
Workers along with Ron Justice of Faro Screen Process have been painting the steps of the Joe to honor the Wings' 20th consecutive appearance in the playoffs.
"It's a mural of the Stanley Cup and the different playoff years, the years that they actually won the cup. In the center there's this graphic that illustrates these, celebrating 20 years of consecutive playoffs," Justice said.
As a Wings fan, Justice admits he's nervous this year, but hopes the mural can stay at the Joe for a while.
"I'm a little nervous. This is supposed to stay up during the entire playoffs when they're in the playoffs, so I'm hoping it stays up a long time. Hopefully its up here until June," Justice said.
Their appearance in the playoffs this year marks the Red Wings' twentieth consecutive post-season appearance, a national sports record.
"It's the excitement around it, the hype, the fact that you can be eliminated in such a short time. It's a buildup over the year and it all culminates right now. There's a lot more excitement out there, more adrenaline out there. It just gets more exciting," Justice said.
The Wings take on the Phoenix Coyotes in round one of the playoffs tonight at the Joe.
Detroit finished the regular season in third place in the West with 104 points, while Phoenix finished in sixth with 99 points. Each team won two of their regular season matchups; Detroit won twice in overtime, Phoenix won once in regulation and once in a shootout. Read more about the Red Wings.
Catch all the playoff action beginning at 6:40 pm on 97.1-FM The Ticket.
