DETROIT—What was supposed to be a routine NHL matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets turned into an all-out controversy when the Little Caesars Arena video board displayed a segment titled “Great Moments in Ohio Stadium History”—only to include one of Ohio State’s most painful losses.
Fans were left in shock as footage from Michigan State’s stunning last-second victory over the Buckeyes in 2015 played on the jumbotron, igniting chaos among Ohio State supporters in attendance and sending social media into a frenzy. The moment, one of the most infamous in Buckeye football history, was seemingly an unexpected troll job in the middle of an intense hockey game.
The Clip That Sent Shockwaves
As the arena announcer hyped up the segment, Buckeye fans in attendance likely expected iconic moments from Ohio State’s football dominance—perhaps a clip of their 2014 National Championship win or one of their many triumphs over Michigan. Instead, the big screen showcased Michigan State’s walk-off field goal in the 2015 matchup, a gut-wrenching 17-14 defeat that derailed Ohio State’s bid for back-to-back national titles.
The moment, burned into the memories of Buckeye faithful, featured the Spartans rushing the field at Ohio Stadium, celebrating one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history. As the clip rolled, gasps and angry shouts filled the arena, while Michigan State and Wolverines fans in the crowd erupted in cheers.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Alex Thompson, a lifelong Buckeye fan who attended the game in his Ohio State jersey. “I thought they were going to show something celebrating Ohio State, not one of the worst moments in our history. This felt like a slap in the face.”
Did the Red Wings Intend to Troll Ohio State?
Many in attendance were left questioning if this was an intentional move to troll Buckeye Nation or simply an unfortunate oversight by the arena production team. Considering that Columbus is home to the Blue Jackets—and that a significant number of Buckeye fans were in the crowd—the decision to show this particular highlight seemed, at best, tone-deaf, and at worst, a calculated jab.
“It has to be on purpose,” tweeted one furious Ohio State fan. “No way you play THAT moment and call it a ‘Great Moment’ in Ohio Stadium history. Someone in that control room knew exactly what they were doing.”
The Red Wings’ organization has yet to issue an official statement on the controversy, but sources inside the arena staff claim that the video segment was intended to showcase memorable moments from games played at Ohio Stadium—without considering the emotional toll it might take on certain fans.
Social Media Erupts
As expected, social media exploded with reactions from both sides of the rivalry. Ohio State fans were livid, calling the decision “disrespectful” and demanding an apology. Meanwhile, Michigan State and Michigan fans relished the moment, gleefully sharing clips of the arena’s jumbotron and mocking the Buckeyes’ reaction.
“Red Wings just became my second-favorite team after this,” joked one Michigan State fan on Twitter. “Absolutely legendary troll job.”
Michigan fans, never ones to pass up a chance to pile onto Ohio State’s misery, chimed in as well.
“Give the Red Wings a standing ovation,” one Michigan supporter tweeted. “Playing that clip in front of Buckeye fans? Perfection.”
Even neutral hockey fans found humor in the situation, with some comparing the arena’s decision to showing a Super Bowl loss montage to fans of the losing team.
The Fallout: Will There Be an Apology?
With Ohio State fans outraged, many are calling for the Red Wings to acknowledge the incident and issue an apology. Some have even threatened to boycott future games if the team doesn’t address the perceived slight.
“I’m not spending another dollar on Red Wings tickets until they make this right,” one angry Buckeye fan posted on Facebook. “This was completely unnecessary and disrespectful.”
Others, however, think Ohio State fans are simply being too sensitive.
“Buckeyes love to dish it out but can’t take it,” one Michigan fan wrote. “You guys have beaten us so many times over the years—let us enjoy this one moment.”
It remains to be seen whether the Red Wings or Little Caesars Arena will respond, but one thing is clear: this unexpected moment has only fueled the already-intense rivalry between Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State fans.
Could This Happen Again?
With the viral reaction to this controversial moment, sports venues across the country may take note of the power of a well-placed highlight. Whether intentional or not, this moment drew massive attention to a midseason NHL game that might have otherwise gone unnoticed outside of hockey circles.
Could we see more arenas taking subtle shots at rival fanbases in the future? Could Michigan fans expect an unexpected Buckeye highlight at a future Red Wings game? Only time will tell.
For now, one thing is certain: Ohio State fans won’t forget this moment anytime soon—and Michigan State fans will never let them live it down.
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