My Favorite Darren McCarty Memories
Posted by: Leelanau Sports Guy on 
Jul 26th, 2005 | 
Filed under: Leland Comets
Injuries slowed him down in 2003-04, but Darren McCarty will always be remembered by Wings fans as a feisty, fearless, hustling player, and he will be missed.
Here’s some of my favorite memories of McCarty…
The Goal vs. Philly in the Stanley Cup Finals - I remember it because of where I was, at Nemo’s in downtown Detroit with what seemed like a million other Red Wing fans. Norm, the Detroit Insider, was with me and we had a blast. When that goal went in we partied like it was…well let’s just say we partied! We even drank beer out of a homemade Stanley Cup someone brought… Read more about the 1997 Cup Finals.
The 3rd Period Hat Trick vs. Colorado - It was an amazing performance. Not only did it come against the Wings biggest rival in the Western Conference Finals, it was against arguably the greatest goaltender of all time as well. It was McCarty’s first career hat trick. The best of the three was the 30-footer that beat Roy. Read a Game Recap.
Beating up Claude Lemieux - Everyone knew it was coming, but once it did, it was like the weight of the world was off of the Wings and their fans.
His 1995 season - This was McCarty’s breakout year, with 15 goals and 14 assists including 8 powerplay goals. This was the year he really came into his own and started a terrific four year stretch. He followed up his breakout ‘95 season with a career high 49 points in 1996.
The Grind Line - The way Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby and McCarty would take over games at crucial points was fun to watch. What started out as a defensive line, turned into quite an offensive punch at times as well. I think I still have an old Grind Line T-shirt somewhere…
Listening to his band Grinder in Traverse City - They were alot better than I thought they were going to be. We saw the at Streeter’s and they were rockin’! As a bonus one of our friends dumped a beer on an ‘ex. It was an interesting night to say the least.
If this is the last of McCarty in a Wings uniform, I wish him the best of luck and many thanks for all the great memories!
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July 26th, 2005 at 11:02 am
As you well know I do not consider myself a hockey fan, but I agree it is sad to see McCarty go. For me, my favorite Darren moment was a goal he scored against somebody in the playoffs. Sorry, not being a hockey fan I don’t remember the who or when, I just know it was the playoffs because that is the only time I watched! BANDWAGON!
He got the puck, did a balancing act on the crease to not go in, which faked out the goalie and put it in the net. For a supposed “grinder” it was quite a finesse move and one of the prettiest goals I ever witnessed.
Here’s to hoping he signs a one year deal with someone else and then returns to Detroit next year and retires, as he puts it, “home”.
Later!
July 26th, 2005 at 11:16 am
I think I remember that goal, although not the particular game… He was always fun to watch, high-energy and I used to love the punishment he would dish out.
I agree, I hope he makes it back here for his retirement…
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