Summer That Shattered The Canadian Hockey Myth
The sport of hockey is considered a national religion in Canada. Hockey fans take pride in the fact that their country is synonymous with the sport. However, the summer of 1972 shattered this myth when the Canadian hockey team faced off against the Soviet Union in a historic eight-game series. The series not only tested the players' skills but also their national pride and camaraderie.
The Buildup
The stage was set for the series in September 1972, when Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced that Canada's top players would face off against the Soviet Union in a best-of-eight series. The Canadian team was made up of the top players from the National Hockey League, while the Soviet team had been playing together for years and was considered unbeatable.
As the series approached, tensions began to rise. The Canadian players were under immense pressure to win, as losing to the Soviet Union would be seen as a national embarrassment. The Soviet players, however, were confident in their abilities and believed that they would easily defeat the Canadians.
The Games
The first four games of the series were held in Canada, and the Canadian team won two games, tied one, and lost one. The fifth game, held in Moscow, was a turning point for the Canadian team. The Soviet Union dominated the game, winning 5-4 and taking a 3-1 series lead.
The sixth game, also held in Moscow, was a must-win for the Canadian team. The game was tied at 4-4 with just 34 seconds left when Canadian player Paul Henderson scored the game-winning goal, securing a 5-4 victory for Canada. The win gave the Canadian team momentum, and they went on to win the final two games of the series, securing a hard-fought victory.
The Aftermath
The victory was celebrated across Canada, and the Canadian players became national heroes. The series also had a lasting impact on the sport of hockey. The Soviet team had shown that they were a force to be reckoned with, and other countries began to take notice. The international hockey scene became more competitive, and the game of hockey became more popular around the world.
Today, the 1972 Summit Series is remembered as one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history. It was a series that tested the players' skills, their national pride, and their ability to come together as a team. The series shattered the myth that Canada was unbeatable in hockey and showed that the sport was truly an international game.
