Great Moments from The NHL On FOX: Konstantinov’s Emotional Return to the Joe

Hockey is often a game of emotion, but very rarely ones that involve tears.  After the tragic crash that paralyzed Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnastikonov following the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, they finally returned home to the Joe Louis Arena for Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals vs. the Dallas Stars.

Everything about it screams the emotion and class of hockey people.  From longtime PA announcer Budd Lynch’s cracking voice and inspirational words, to Mike Emrick being on the verge of tears and pointing out a great thing about reactions and emotions.  It’s one of my favorite hockey moments ever, and it doesn’t involve anything on the ice.