Attorneys of Detroit

Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche: The Inside Story of Pro Sports' Nastiest and Best Rivalry of Its Era

Description

In Blood Feud, Colorado Avalanche beat writer Dater not only submits that there was no more heated rivalry in North American pro sports in the final years of the 20th century and the first few years of the next than Red Wings-Avalanche, but that there was none better played. No fewer than 20 players have or will eventually make it to the Hall of Fame; the best scorers were matched up against the best goalies; brilliant coaches could be found on both benches; and two of the league's smartest general managers ruthlessly tried to one-up each other at every NHL trade deadline. A rollicking story of a fierce, and often violent, rivalry.

Reviews

Rating: 2 / 5
Date: 2010-08-23
Summary: "Should Be Titled, Blood Feud: Detroit Red Wings of the 1990's"

For the author of the book being a beat writer for Colorado you think he would have given alittle more love to the Avalanche. Instead all he does the whole book is praise the Detroit Red Wings. The author is obviously a huge closet Red Wings fan. I am neither a Red Wings nor an Avalanche fan. I bought this book striclty from a fan of hockey stand point. And I do remember this rivalry in the 90's. I always remember everyone wanting to watch the Avs and Red Wings play, fan or not. And the book only briefly touches on the rivalry. The longest chapter in the whole book is on former Detroit coach Scotty Bowman. While yes the author does give the Avalnche some credit, it is largely overshadowed by all the bashings he gives the Avalanche. That the Avalanche only won because the opposition didnt play well. And he makes the Avs out to be the dirtier team. Anyone that follows hockey know that the Red Wings of the 90's were one of the dirtiest teams of all major sports. And that Scotty Bowman is one of the dirtiest coaches to have ever coach any sport on any level. Yes bowman was a great coach. But he was dirty. The Red Wings were clearly the dirtier of the two teams. Like I said, I am neither a Avs or wings fan. I bought this book strictly as a fan of hockey and of this rivalry, but I was largely dissapointed overall. I bought the book to read about the rivalry, not about the Detroit Red Wings. The title should just be, Blood Feud: The Detroit Red Wings Of The 1990's. The author claims to be a Bruins fan but just read even the first couple chapters and you'll clearly see he is a red wings fan. Anyone from Colorado looking to buy this book, dont. Its pro detroit all the way.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-29
Summary: "If you love hockey, pick this one up NOW"

I read all kinds of books - history, management, mystery/thrillers, biographies, sports and sports history. Over the years, while a huge hockey fan (Go Isles!), I've not read too too many hockey books. I am so glad that I bought this one. This has to be a "must" read for any Avs or Wings fan, but beyond that, for me it belongs in the "must read" category for any sports fan. The author provides such an in-depth overview of this great hockey rivarly, including insights into many of the main characters. Writing with a style that blends recounting of the games, facts about how the rivalry developed and a good dose of inside "gossip," the author provides a story you can't help but zip through. Even if you think you know all there is about this rivalry - you won't be disappointed!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-11-05
Summary: "Couldn't stop reading"

Back in the 80's I was in love with Montreal's goalie, Patrick Roy, even though I had never seen a picture of him without his gear (or helmet). His moves were sick, and because he played for the Canadiens, he was on Hockey Night in Canada a lot. When I went to college I had no time for sports, so I completely missed this rivalry (DAMN!!!).

What a book! Dater has clearly done his homework, as there is a lot of interviews and a bibliography. He tells the story from an unbiased perspective and knew exactly when to put in a funny story to break up the tension of such a heated, emotional feud. The blowups between the reporters and the reporters and coaches and GMs, etc. were absolutely hilarious, I laughed out loud at many parts (I don't want to give anything away).

What was most interesting to me was the biographical data of Bowman, Roy, McCarty and Lemieux. These guys really had to fight for the careers they truly earned. I'm sure they all were given the "You'll never make it to the NHL" speech, Patrick Roy for his high GAA yet he went on to become one of the best goalies of all time.

I ripped through the book in days and was sad to read the last page.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-09-22
Summary: "Excellent book, one flaw"

This is a great book for any hockey fan, but especially if you've been watching for years. I knew very little about this rivalry, so this book was perfect for me. The book is littered with little tidbits about the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche as well as the Montreal Canadiens and others. More interesting is the interviews with the players and coaches. The author is excellent at describing the game, I'm sure he's a great reporter. And his knack for "hockey gossip" makes the book an entertaining read. There's only really one flaw:

The two pictures of Patrick Roy in fights: one is with Vernon and one is with Osgood. Now the reason I'm upset is, I saw those two fights on youtube: Roy kicks their asses. However, on the cover and the picture at the end of the pictures section, shows the Detroit goalies with the upper hand. On the cover Vernon appears to have the upper hand as Roy's head is ducking. That was probably the only moment in the fight when that happened. Roy killed Vernon. Same with the other picture: Osgood has Roy down on the ice and Osgood is on top of Roy. But if you watch the fight on Youtube, Roy pummels Osgood the entire fight and that picture is right at the end when Osgood finally got the upper hand. But immediately the referees seperated the two, so...I don't know, those pictures piss me off. (Obviously I'm a Patrick Roy fan!!!)

Still, great book, buy it and read it!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2008-08-13
Summary: "This is a must have book for any serious hockey fan."

Adrian Dater's account of the feud (and it was bloody!) between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche is chuck a block full of previously unknown, but hilarious, peculiar (Scotty Bowman is a unique dude to say the least), and riveting inside information and anecdotes. Dater, a hockey writer for the Denver Post, is no homer, and plays it fair, being equally snarky and funny about both teams. Dater covered every game of the 90's between these two rivals, and its all facinatingly covered in this book. Its a terrific read and manditory bookshelf inclusion for all true hockey fans.