Rivalries are the absolute best thing about sports. A true rivalry trumps the names on the back of the jersey and emphasizes the importance of the name on the front. It puts the focus of athletic events back on the fans, who support the organization financially and enthusiastically generation after generation.

Rivalries allow fans to feel like they have an actual stake in the outcome of the game. No one wants to return to work after a loss and face the obnoxious co-worker who roots for the rival team. Everyone wants to be the obnoxious co-worker whose team always wins. Everyone wants to be part of a rivalry.

I grew up near Detroit so I was there for the inception of “Hockeytown.” Fans of the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings were lucky to be part of such a great professional sports rivalry. The two teams genuinely disliked each other because of Claude Lemeiux’s cheap shot on Kris Draper, and thanks to players like Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman, the games were ultra-competitive. These factors created the perfect storm for each loyal fan base to bash the other every chance they got.

After taking a few years off to regroup and rebuild, can the new look Avs and Red Wings carry on the tradition?
To do so would be a major accomplishment. Rivalries in professional sports are as rare as finding gas for $2.00 a gallon. The players make too much money and switch teams too often to get caught up in on-ice personal feuds. A lot of variables must fall into place for a new rivalry to approach the old one.   

The mystique of Av’s versus Red Wings has lost its luster in recent years but recent activity suggests a possible revival looming ahead.

Ian Laperriere did a good Claude Lemieux imitation when he drove legendary Red Wings defenseman Niklas Lidstrom into the boards during a game at the Pepsi Center Feb. 18. The collision resulted in a sprained knee for Lidstrom and a bad reputation for Laperriere.

Detroit’s heroic avenger could be returning to center ice for the playoffs too. Darren McCarty’s been given another chance by the Red Wings, but he won’t take any chances with “Lappy,” on the ice.

Peter Forsberg came out of retirement to join his old teammate Joe Sakic on the ice. Are these two ready to return the team to its glory days before riding off into the sunset?

Chris Osgood is rejuvenated and having a spectacular season in net for the Red Wings. Is he asking himself how he’d take down Jose Theodore in a fight like he did Patrick Roy?

If it’s too early for you to get excited about a possible playoff match up I suggest watching a few Youtube videos of bench clearing brawls and game-winning goals. Obviously I did and it’s a great way to keep the juices flowing until the real action starts.