That was the turning point that turned the Wings from playoff chokers into actual Stanley Cup contenders and winners for the first time in 42 years.
And for the record, I'm not the real McCarty.
I was at the real McCarty’s first home game for the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL team of the Detroit Red Wings, on his comeback when he scored a hat trick. One in each period. During that first media timeout in the first period they were showing the video of McCarty beating up Lemieux. The Lake Erie team, AHL team of Colorado, had their goalie and 4 of the 5 skaters watching the video.