Pavel Datsyuk helps Red Wings defeat Avalanche on New Years Eve (VIDEO)

While there’s no edition of the annual Detroit Red Wings New Years Eve matchup this season, we’ll always have fond memories of the annual tradition from years past.

We’ll throw it back to the 2009-10 season – the Red Wings hosted their historic rival Colorado Avalanche at Joe Louis Arena and earned a 4-2 victory in front of a rocking home crowd.

The ice was broken by Pavel Datsyuk in the second period; two goals from Darren Helm and the winner scored by Ville Leino (who would soon be traded and help lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals) would complete the scoring.

How many of you typically rang in the new year with the Red Wings downtown?

Michael Whitaker
Michael Whitaker

Always at the front lines of Detroit Sports.