Hockey

Two contrite hockey fans have returned the stolen Michigan Sports Hall of Fame plaque honoring Detroit Red Wing great Gordie Howe. The bronze plaque was stolen more than four years ago from Cobo Hall in Detroit, site of the Michigan Hall of Fame.

The men, who identified themselves only as “John” and “Jim,” surrendered the plaque Thursday night to the Detroit News after reading an article about it.

“We decided to return it when we read that Gordie said it belonged to the people of Michigan,” John, 27, told the newspaper. “He’s right, and we were wrong.”