1972 Canada-Soviet Hockey Series
Canada-Soviet Hockey Series, 1972
Soviet teams had totally dominated international hockey for the previous 10 years, but this was the first time they played the best Canadian professionals. The series began amid great anticipation in Canada and the Soviet Union. The victory of the Soviets in the first game, September 2 in Montréal, by 7-3, stunned the Canadian players and shocked the Canadian public. The Soviets displayed speed, skill and a haughty disregard for Canadian confidence. The Canadians regrouped in Toronto 2 days later and won 4-1, but the third game in Winnipeg on September 6 was a 4-4 tie and Team Canada lost 5-3 in Vancouver, Sept 7, amid the jeers of the local fans. In Moscow September 22, the Soviets swept to another victory 5-4, but the Canadians fought back to tie the series with victories on September 24 (3-2) and September 26 (4-3).
Video clips of Jim Cantelon's interview with hockey great Paul Henderson. Focuses on the memorable 1972 hockey series between Canada and the Soviet Union. From YouTube
The last game, on September 28, was watched intently by the largest Canadian TV audience on record. It began with 2 quick Soviet goals, the ejection of a Canadian player, and a long delay as Canadians raged over the officiating. The Soviets led 5-3 at the end of the second period, but Phil ESPOSITO and Yvan Cournoyer tied the game. Paul Henderson scored the most famous goal in hockey history, with only 34 seconds remaining, to win the series for Canada. The team played one more match, against Czechoslovakia, a 3-3 tie, before returning home to an outpouring of pride and relief.
On the surface, the series was a dramatic sports event - in retrospect won by determined athletes against the odds. But the series affected Canadians more deeply. Their cherished myth of hockey superiority had been shattered.
Henderson, Paul
September 28, 1972: Paul Henderson's memorable goal with 34 seconds remaining in the final game of the Canada-Soviet hockey series (courtesy of Hockey Canada).
Winning Goal, 1972
Paul Henderson scored the dramatic goal in Moscow to give the Canadians the series victory (photo by Frank Lennon/Toronto Star).
Author JAMES MARSH
Links to Other Sites
The History of Canadian Broadcasting
This site is dedicated to the visionary pioneers who created Canada’s broadcasting industry. Features profiles of members of the CAB Hall of Fame and much more. From the Canadian Communications Foundation.
National Hockey Hero - Paul Henderson
Video clips of Jim Cantelon's interview with hockey great Paul Henderson. Focuses on the memorable 1972 hockey series between Canada and the Soviet Union. From YouTube.
Andrew Podnieks
The website for Andrew Podnieks, the author of more than 50 books on the sport of hockey. Also see the gallery of Dennis Miles photos of hockey players and the bios of members of the "Women's Hall of Fame."
While the games always carried a sacred aspect, held on the open plains of Elis, surrounded by magnificent groves of gleaming, silver-grey olive trees, they also displayed that most Greek of contributions to our civilization: individualism...
INSIDE TCE
