Well, it’s over now. The Red Wings hosted the New Jersey Devils this afternoon for their final game of the season and the final game at Joe Louis Arena. As a fan, it feels weird for the season to be over, especially with more hockey to be played in the playoffs. For the first time in twenty-five years, the Red Wings won’t be playing in the post-season. But despite this, and among the whole craze that was the final, farewell to the Joe weekend, there was a hockey game to be played. It may have been meaningless to the standings, but the Wings were playing for pride in the last game of their historic building. And boy was it an exciting one.

The pre-game coverage from Fox Sports Detroit was really top notch. An emotional video montage covered the long, rich history of Joe Louis Arena. Then, the team honoured captain Henrik Zetterberg for his 1,000th game played. Finally, as if it couldn’t get any better, Steve Yzerman made a surprise appearance to drop the ceremonial puck.

The Wings came out strong and, in between picture-in-picture clips of Joe Louis Arena memories, something amazing happened. RILEY SHEAHAN SCORED A GOAL!

YEAH NO SHIT HE WAS DUE! Before the period was over, the Wings would add one more as Tatar netted his 25th off an assist from Mr. 1,000 games himself. The Wings completely dominated the Devils in this period, playing with the kind of energy and jump that makes you wonder what the hell they’ve been doing all season. They finished the period with a 17-5 edge in shots.

In the second period, the Wings invited alumni to shovel the ice on commercial break. Darren McCarty, Larry Murphy, Joey Kocur, and Dino Ciccerelli all skated up and down the ice, shoveling snow. The Wings added another goal, from Henrik Zetterberg.

It was Z’s 17th goal of the season. It was his second point of the game. All he needed was a fight to complete his Gordie Howe hat trick. The Wings were outshot in the second period 11-7, but Jimmy Howard kept them in it. By the end of the period, a total of 17 octopi had been thrown onto the ice.

The third period started in the favour of the Devils, with Jason Moore sneaking one past Jimmy Howard. Then, the deficit was cut to one when Taylor Hall scored. The goal was called back, however, because it was deemed that Hall kicked the puck into the net. Then, something else amazing happened. With less than three minutes left in regulation, the Wings were on the powerplay. Frans Nielsen found Riley Sheahan through the slot and Sheahan buried the puck into the empty net.

We don’t swear much around here, but Riley. Fucking. Sheahan.

That would be the last goal ever scored at Joe Louis Arena. Blashill put out Zetterberg for the final shift as well Sheahan to try and get the hatty. But it wasn’t needed. The game was perfect. Red Wings win 4-1.

After the final buzzer went, the team stayed out for a nice long lap around the ice, saluting fans. It was a fitting goodbye to a home with such a rich history. It couldn’t have gone any better for the team.

Does this even matter? Riley Sheahan scored two goals!

Henrik Zetterberg’s 2 point night during his 1,000th game? Jimmy Howard’s .960 SV%? NOPE. Riley Sheahan’s 2 goal night!

Sheahan easily deserves this. He had an okay season that was brutal because of his drought. He deserved those goals and he deserves to be our Motor City MVP.

Well… Umm… This is awkward. There are no more games left for the Red Wings this season. They’ll have a busy off-season though, with the expansion draft quickly approaching and an entry draft that will give them their first top-10 pick since 1990. Check back to WingsNation.com often, we’ll be covering everything Red Wings all offseason and bringing you detailed breakdowns and analysis of the state of this team. It’s time to recharge, rebuild, and get ready to go for October. When the team resumes play, it will be a fresh start in a new arena. I, for one, can’t wait for what the future holds.