DETROIT — It’s a sign of spring almost as dependable as dandelions: the Red Wings and Pistons advancing in the postseason.
This year, they’re also taking the edge off rough economic times in Michigan.
The Red Wings are in their fourth Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 11 seasons.
The Pistons are in the Eastern Conference finals for a sixth consecutive season. They’ve reached the Finals twice in that span, beating the Los Angeles Lakers to claim the 2004 title and losing to San Antonio in seven games the following year.
And although the Tigers are off to a sluggish start, the momentum that began with their 2006 American League pennant has carried into this season — at least at the box office.
“Detroit is a sports town. It’s always been a sports town,” said James Canning, a spokesman for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
“People love ’em, no matter how good or bad they’re doing. And in the past five or six years, you’ve seen a lot more people, if they can’t make it to a game, they’re occupying a bar or restaurant in the downtown area. People want to be a part of that.”
Detroit fans also could witness history this year. The same metropolitan area has never won NHL and NBA titles in the same season, although two have come close: New Jersey, when the Devils won the 2003 Stanley Cup but the Nets lost the NBA Finals to San Antonio; and New York, when the Rangers won the 1994 NHL title but the Knicks fell to Houston in the Finals.
