*1559. Холодная война на льду

[Николай Озеров]

Team Canada defenceman Gary Bergman (right) celebrates teammate Paul Henderson's winning goal in Canada's 6-5 win in Game 8 of the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in this Sept. 28, 1972 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP

[Николай Озеров]

https://www.nhl.com/news/game-3-tie-...inted/c-640935
September 6th, 2012

Forty years ago, the hockey world was fundamentally changed by the start of an eight-game series between national teams from Canada, loaded with NHL players in their prime, and the Soviet Union -- considered the two best hockey-playing nations in the world at the time -- that played out across the month of September. The series was a must-follow for hockey fans across the globe and after its dramatic conclusion --- a 4-3-1 series win for the Canadians -- there was no question that the NHL would never be the same again. This month, NHL.com looks at the historic Summit Series with a month-long collection of content. Today, NHL.com provides a look back at Game 3 of the series from some of those who helped make the history happen. Stay tuned for additional content throughout September (Game 1 recap, Game 2 recap).

Though the Summit Series matched the best players in the NHL against the Soviet Union, Bobby Hull was a spectator throughout. Hull, who undoubtedly would have made the Canadian team, signed with the brand-new World Hockey Association during the summer and was left off the roster.

Ironically, Game 3 of the series was played in Winnipeg, where Hull would play throughout the WHA's seven seasons. He and the rest of the 9,800 fans who packed Winnipeg Arena on the night of Sept. 6, 1972, had to wonder which Team Canada they would see -- the one that was shelled in Montreal or the one that dominated Game 2 in Toronto.

GAME 3: CANADA 4, SOVIET UNION 4

Team Canada was left frustrated and stalemated in Game 3 of the 1972 Summit Series after the Soviet Union twice overcame two-goal deficits to leave with a 4-4 tie.

First Period: 1, Canada, Parise 1 (White, P. Esposito) 1:54. 2, USSR Petrov 2, 3:16 (sh). 3, Canada, Ratelle 1 (Cournoyer, Bergman), 18:25.

Second Period: 4, Canada P. Esposito 3 (Cashman, Parise), 4:19. 5, USSR, Kharlamov 3 (Tsygankov), 12:56 (sh). 6, Canada, Henderson 2 (Clarke, Ellis) 13:47. 7, USSR, Lebedev 1 (Anisin, Vasiliev), 14:59. 8, USSR, Bodunov 1 (Anisin), 18:28.

Third Period: No scoring.

Shots on goal: Soviet Union 9-8-8-25. Canada 15-17-6--38.

Goalies: Soviet Union, Tretiak 1-1-1 (38 shots on goal, 34 saves). Canada, T. Esposito 1-0-1 (25-21)

Attendance: 9,800

So did the Soviets, who tinkered with their lineup. Coach Vsevolod Bobrov's best move was his decision to reunite the trio of Alexander Bodunov, Yuri Lebedev and center Viachaeslav Anisin, who had helped the Soviet junior team dominate the 1971 World University Games in Lake Placid. The "Kid Line," as it was dubbed by the Canadian media, wound up having a major say in the outcome.

If there was one area in Team Canada's game that needed no improvement, it was their starts. J.P. Parise swatted home the rebound of Bill White's shot 1:54 after the opening faceoff and Canada had the lead for the third time in as many games.

But unlike its crisp performance two nights earlier in Toronto, Team Canada began to get sloppy -- and paid the price. Vladimir Petrov intercepted a bad pass by Frank Mahovlich in the Canadian zone and beat Tony Esposito at 3:15 for the Soviets' second shorthanded goal of the series.

Jean Ratelle, back in the lineup but without his New York Rangers linemates Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert, put Canada back in front at 18:25 after a give-and-go with Yvan Cournoyer. When Phil Esposito beat Vladislav Tretiak from point-blank range 4:19 into the second period, Canada led 3-1, was dominating the game physically (too physically in the eyes of many of the Soviets), and appeared to be in control.

Valeri Kharlamov made it 3-2 with another shorthanded goal at 12:56, but Paul Henderson restored Canada's two-goal lead less than a minute later.

That's when the Soviets' Kid Line took over.

Lebedev deflected a point shot by Valeri Vasiliev past Tony Esposito at 14:59. The young players leaped in the air and hugged each other to celebrate -- the first sign of emotion by any of the stoic Soviets during the series. Bodunov took a nice centering pass from Anisin and fired a shot over the goalie's right shoulder at 18:28 to tie the game 4-4.

"They put out that young line we hadn't seen before and they dominated us," Team Canada coach Harry Sinden said after the game.

Canada outshot the U.S.S.R. 32-17 through two periods, but the game was all even. It ended that way as the wearying Canadians hung on despite being outshot 8-6 during a scoreless third period. Tony Esposito robbed Alexander Maltsev on a breakaway in the final 15 seconds to preserve the tie -- one that was widely considered a loss for the home team.

"We felt we should have won," Paul Henderson told NHL.com. "We had a couple of breakdowns in the [second] period. They jumped on them and we might have gotten a little complacent."

Henderson's linemate Bob Clarke felt Team Canada's lack of conditioning might have taken a toll.

"In Toronto, the emotions were so high and they carried us," he told NHL.com. "In Winnipeg, the emotions were just as high, but we weren't in condition to play at that level. It caught up to us."

After the game, Sinden took a lot of heat from the press for his team's failure to dominate the series. But rather than criticize his players, Sinden paid tribute to the Soviets, who had surprised almost everyone with their showing in the first three games.

"Do the Soviets compare with the NHL's best?" someone asked.

"Absolutely."

"As good as the Boston Bruins?"

"Yes sir," Sinden said, comparing the Soviets to the franchise he had coached to the 1970 Stanley Cup. "As good as the Boston Bruins."

After a pause, he added, "After all, whoever told us that we in Canada know all about hockey, except ourselves."

[Николай Озеров]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canadian-tire-...ersey-1.518525

Team Canada's Phil Esposito takes a spill during the pre-game ceremonies of game five of the Canada-Russia Summit Series in Moscow, Friday, Sept.22, 1972. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/TASS)

Team Canada's Phil Esposito takes a spill during the pre-game ceremonies of game five of the Canada-Russia Summit Series in Moscow, Friday, Sept.22, 1972. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/TASS)

The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, June 2, 2010 6:17PM EDT

MONTREAL - Canadian Tire is making a play for one of Canada's most valuable pieces of hockey memorabilia.

The company says it will submit an opening bid of $200,000 for Paul Henderson's 1972 Summit Series jersey.

The Team Canada sweater went up for auction last month. As of Wednesday afternoon, the highest bid was $158,678. Canadian Tire plans to submit its bid to Classic Auctions on Thursday.
Related Links

Who will buy Paul Henderson's famous hockey jersey?

Henderson wore the jersey when he scored the winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series against the former Soviet Union.

If its bid is successful, Canadian Tire says it will take the jersey on a cross-country tour through its 480-store network. The company will then loan the sweater to sports and hockey museums such as the Hockey Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Henderson gave the jersey away as a gift to Team Canada trainer Joe Sgro, who later sold it. Years later, Henderson tried -- but failed -- to buy it back in hope of donating it to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

"Hockey is part of that fabric and Canada's game," Mike Arnett, president of Canadian Tire retail, said in a release. "We are Canada's hockey store. That is Canada's hockey jersey -- and we want to help bring it home for the enjoyment of all Canadians."

The sweater's owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a cancer survivor who plans to donate some of the proceeds of the eventual sale to charity.

Canadian Tire said it will not discuss its bidding strategy between now and the online auction's close on June 22.

[Николай Озеров]

http://www.nucksmisconduct.com/2012/...versary-game-8

By Kent Basky on Sep 28, 2012, 12:24p 17

On the day of the biggest goal in Canadian hockey history, Nucks Misconduct is proud to bring you our game commentary. We hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have in reliving these incredible moments.
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Venue: Luzhniki Ice Palace, Moscow, USSR

Attendance: 15,000

Series: 3-3-1

Prologue

It all comes down to one game. And while theoretically the series could end up tied, the Soviets were already announcing they would declare themselves the winners in the event of a tie, thanks the goal differential. So to help their chances, they went to work behind the scenes, and it almost ended the series before the puck was dropped for Game 8. The two countries had agreed that the officiating pair that worked Game 7, Owe Dahlberg of Sweden and Rudolf Bata of Czechoslovakia would also work Game 8. But when it was announced that Dahlberg had suddenly come down with a bad case of food poisoning, the Canadian contingent weren't buying it. The Soviets announced that because of Dahlberg's sudden illness, they had no choice but to bring back the officials from Game 6: Josef Kompalla and Franz Baeder. The Canadians balked at the idea, and Alan Eagleson even threatened to pack the boys up and go home the night before the game, something which the players supported. The Soviets probably hadn't counted on this reaction, and when considering the sizable television revenues they'd lose if the game were cancelled, reached a late night compromise: each team would choose one official. The Canadians chose Bata. The Soviets, to no one's surprise, chose Kompalla. In hindsight, this was a poor strategic move by the Soviets, as an already fired up Canadian team had even more fuel heading into this final game of the series.

First Period

Two changes for Team Canada, Frank Mahovolich returns to the lineup in place of Bill Goldsworthy, and Tony Esposito is out, replaced by Ken Dryden in goal. The Soviets made one change, Valeri Kharlamov returned after missing Game 7, and he took the place of Alexander Ragulin. "Tonight we are making hockey history" states Foster Hewitt in the pregame, and truer words were never spoken. The teams come out for the pregame presentations, the Canadians carrying white Stetsons for the gift exchange. Bergman gets a huge whistle from the Soviet crowd, and flashes them the 'V for victory' sign. Boris Mikhailov gets a hearty boo from the Canadian fans in the stands, and with the introductions made, we're ready to drop the puck. An entire nation is at a standstill, people crowded around any tv they can find, ready to cheer on Team Canada.

The Soviets get an early chance on Dryden, Anisin testing him, but Dryden's ready for it and steers it aside. The Soviets are dominating the play early, no really dangerous chances, but it's decidedly one-sided. It doesn't take long for Kompalla to get into the act, calling a tripping penalty on Bill White after a brutal dive by Maltsev, who drops to his belly as soon as he feels contact from White. The Soviets scored two big power play goals in the last game, and Canada's worst fears about the inclusion of Kompalla are being realized, as another Soviet dives, this time it's Peter Mahovolich gets called for holding, giving the Soviets a 5 on 3. Little M slams the penalty door in disgust, and it's now pretty clear why the Soviets wanted Kompalla.

The Soviets work the puck around masterfully, and Yakushev bangs home a rebound past Dryden, and his 6th goal of the series makes it 1-0 USSR. Vladimir Petrov gets called for hooking, and even he's confused by the call, shrugging his shoulders as he heads to the box. 4 on 4 hockey, but shortly after the penalty, Parise is called for elbowing on another embarrassingly brutal dive, and he is, to quote the kids "losing his shit". He slams his stick on the ice and skates to the box, stepping in, then back out again, and spins back towards Kompalla. He is pushed away by teammates and skates over to the Canadian bench, then moves back over, while Esposito argues with the officials, when Parise charges at Kompalla, threatening to swing his stick. What caused the furor was Petrov lobbying Kompalla for a call, which came very late. There are those of you who would say that Team Canada is exhibiting poor sportsmanship here, but put yourself in their shoes. You're playing the biggest game of your life, and it is blatantly being stolen from you, right before your eyes. The officials give Parise a 10 minute misconduct and eject him from the game, and coach Harry Sinden throws a bench and a chair onto the ice in disgust. The Canadian fans in the crowd have had enough, and are now chanting "LET'S GO HOME!! LET'S GO HOME!!" The fix, is very obviously in, friends.

Frank Mahovolich is still berating the officials, along with a number of the Canadian players. Remember, we're not even 5 minutes into the game. There seems to be something happening with fans over by the Canadian bench, but they're separated by a fairly large contingent of Soviet soldiers and police officers. Parise leaves the ice finally and we're back to hockey. The Soviets set up again, looking for another power play marker 4 on 3, but they go offside.

Mahovolich returns to the ice and tries to set up his brother Frank, but he's unable to get a shot away, as he's taken out of the play by the Soviet defender. The Soviet player returns to the ice and not long after Hull (who was serving Parise's original penalty) is out of the box, a major bullet dodged there. 13:44 left in the first.

Tsygankov ties up Henderson as he tries to break free, a pretty blatant interference call, and Canada gets a power play, and Phil Esposito is Johnny on the spot once again, as Brad Park shoots one from the point, Esposito bangs home the rebound and the Canadians answer back, showing that they're not gonna be intimidated by the Soviet attempts to cheat their way to victory.

Canada nearly takes the lead when Tretiak bobbles an Esposito shot, and Yvon Cournoyer knocks it out of the air, nearly putting it past Tretiak. After the faceoff Tretiak makes another big save, this time on a snap shot from Rod Gilbert in the slot. Petrov is left all alone at the side of the net, but he hammers the puck wide, then after losing his stick, takes an interference penalty when he grabs Phil Esposito.

Yakushev dives, but White drops his stick, and the officials don't buy it. A lot of back and forth chances now, and after a period of relative calm, when Cournoyer takes an interference penalty, the Russian player falling like he was shot, and once again the Soviets set up, getting a screen in front of Dryden, and Vladimir Lutchenko blasts one from the point, beating Dryden to take the lead.

Savard does another spin-o-rama at the point, but this time shoots, and it just misses the net. Park moves in, and works a beautiful give and go with Jean Ratelle on the 2 on 1, and Park puts the shot past Tretiak stickside to tie the game at 2 late in the first period. Conacher and Hewitt remark that Ratelle and Park being Rangers teammates likely contributed to that play, each knowing what the other would do as they moved in.

Chances at both ends as the game opens up once again. Conacher states that at full strength, the Canadians are carrying the play while the Soviets are much better with the man advantage. In hindsight, this certainly lends credence to those who felt that the Soviets tried to use Kompalla to steal the final game. 1 period is in the books, and it was far more dramatic than anyone had anticipated.

Second Period

The netting at the back end of the ice gives the Soviets a lucky break as the second period starts, a shot caroms out to Shadrin, and he hammers it past Dryden, who was unable to follow the bounce, and Canada once again finds themselves trailing just 21 seconds into the 2nd period. Canada doesn't back down, and Bobby Clarke rips a one timer off a drop pass, and Tretiak has a little trouble with it, but manages to hang on.

The checking is tight, and though the game continues it's breakneck pace, chances by both teams are being broken up. Blinov has an opportunity, but a sprawling Stapleton blocks his pass and breaks it up. Esposito gets a chance at the other end, which is quickly followed by a 2 on 1 for the Soviets, but nothing comes of it. The picture drops out as Henderson gets another chance, fighting off 2 checkers to get a shot on Tretiak.

Scrambly play now, but Canada is pressing, just not able to get shots at the Soviet goal. Gusev tries to break in, but can't fight off 3 Canadian defenders. Gilbert and Ratelle both have chances, and as the puck heads up the ice, Kharlamov tests Dryden, who bobbles it but makes the save. The Soviets once again seem to be making one pass too many. Esposito is taken down with no call, but it is refreshing to not see the parade to the penalty box we saw in the first. Peter Mahovolich dishes to Cournoyer, and Tretiak makes his best save of the game on a hard shot from the speedy Montreal Canadien forward.

Yakushev continues to be the one Soviet player that the Canadians can't seem to contain, and he feathers a drop pass for Anisin, who fires a high shot that Dryden handles. A face off in the Soviet zone, and Bill White taps in a Sedin-style slap-pass from Rod Gilbert, Tretiak way out of position on the play, and they've tied it once again. Shortly after that Gilbert gets Tretiak down, but can't get the puck to sit enough to get it over top of the sprawled Soviet keeper. Furious Canadian pressure, but it leads to a 2 on 1 break for the Soviets, Vikulov feeds Mikhailov, but both Stapleton and Dryden play it perfectly. There's a face off, and Yakushev gets the puck in the slot and throws a little fake on Dryden, putting the puck behind him, the goal definitely coming against the run of play over the last few minutes. The Canadians have to be frustrated at this point. They've outplayed the Soviets for most of the game so far, but have nothing to show for it.

The play is still down in the Soviet end more than Canada's, but they're not getting enough shots on Tretiak, full credit to the tenacious checking of the Soviets. Petrov passes to Blinov and he sets up a streaking Soviet winger with a spin-o-rama pass, but Dryden is there, and Blinov gets the puck back, has Dryden down and out, but Phil Esposito is there to stop the puck on the goal line. This is massive. Blinov tosses his hands up and looks skyward, incredulous that he didn't score.

Stapleton goes to the box for crosschecking, and the Soviets go for the jugular with their power play once again. They're having trouble making passes connect early on though, and the Canadian defenders are repeatedly clearing the zone. Foster Hewitt remarks that the line changes are getting close to being illegal, and on a delayed Canadian penalty Shadrin sneaks in behind the Canadian defence and taps home a Vasiliev pass for a 5-3 lead. There's some confusion on the ice as the officials try to put a Canadian player in the box, but they relent, and rightfully so since the Soviets scored on the delayed call. Mikhailov and Petrov break in 2 on 1, but Dryden comes across to stop Petrov and keep the Soviets from potentially putting this game out of reach. Scrambly play around the Soviet net, and it leads to Kuzkin getting an elbowing call at 18:06. The Canadians try to get set up on the power play, but they're having trouble controlling the puck. Henderson gets drilled on the side boards, but as we've seen, it will take more than a hard hit to stop him. The Second period comes to an end, and things are not looking good for Team Canada. They're down two goals behind enemy lines, with hostile officials hindering them at every step. What they need right now are two things: a hero, and a lucky break.

Third Period

Yakushev uses his speed to create a chance, and Anisin gets a hard shot away, but it's played well by Dryden. Shortly after, Vasiliev has a nice chance from the slot, but his shot goes a little wide. The Soviets are swarming now, and Canada looks gassed, not a good sign for the start of the decisive third period. Mahovolich gets the puck in the corner and laying on the ice feeds Phil Esposito in the slot. His first shot is blocked, but the second attempt beats Tretiak, and it's another huge goal for the best player for the Canadians in this series, his 7th, to move Canada within one of the Soviets.

After Dryden covers up a fight breaks out between Gilbert and Myshikov, and they get up off the ice, a bloodied Myshakov is ready to go with Gilbert, albeit behind the safety of the officials. There's a bit of a surprise as neither player is ejected for fighting, which is standard in European hockey at the time. They're back to the action, both teams a man short. Clarke intercepts a pass and has a chance to break in home free, but Vasiliev gets called for tripping as he nails Clarke with a beautiful hip check. I could understand interference, but in all likelihood, this shouldn't have been a penalty call. 4 on 3 for Canada now, but they're struggling to set up in the Soviet zone, and Petrov chips the puck past Park for a bit of a break, but he's angled to the boards and his shot sails wide.

Ratelle has a chance to tie it on a backhander just before the penalty ends, but Tretiak stands his ground and Ratelle watches his shot trickle wide. Canada starting to turn up the heat, looking for the equalizer, and it's now the Soviets who can't seem to get anything going, getting stood up everytime they try to cross into the Canadian zone with the puck.

Gilbert and Myshikov return to the ice, and the Soviets are working hard to not give the Canadians any room to move. There's a mad scramble off a faceoff and both Esposito and Cournoyer have chances, but can't get the puck past Tretiak. Maltsev and Myshikov break up the ice 2 on 1, but Dryden shuts the door once again. The 10 minute buzzer goes, and they change sides for the final 10 minutes of Game 8.

Dennis Hull nails Blinov trying to leave the Soviet zone and creates an opportunity, but it's blown down on the offside. The vocal Canadian fans are desperately cheering the boys on now, trying to will a tying goal as the time becomes an issue. Both sides showing signs of fatigue as they head into the home stretch. Esposito comes in and gets a shot on Tretiak, a great individual effort, and he gets his own rebound behind the net, feeding Cournoyer in the slot. Tretiak stops the first one, but Cournoyer hammers home the rebound and the game is tied. Shortly after the goal a confrontation breaks out along side the boards in the crowd. Soviet soldiers are trying to drag Alan Eagleson from the rink. We would find out later it was because Eagleson began screaming at the fact that the goal judge did not turn the light on. Unable to count on the on ice officials, they were now going to flat out cheat their way to victory it seems. The Canadian team swarms off the bench, and a couple players, including Peter Mahovolich brandish their sticks at the soldiers, forcibly taking Eagleson back and bringing him onto the ice with them. It still seems so surreal, no matter how many times you watch this. They escort Eagleson to the Canadian bench, and he shakes his fist at the goal judge as the whistles, and boos from the Canadian fans rain down onto the ice. Such high drama, setting the stage for an amazing finish.

About 7 minutes left now, and you can see the Canadian energy is back. Ellis has a chance in front, but the puck rolls off his stick. Yakushev is out for the Soviets, prowling the Canadian zone, and if there's one player on the ice who could break the tie, it's Alexander Yakushev. Hull and Petrov are going off, Hull for high sticking, and Petrov for elbowing at 15:24.

The Canadians know a tie is not good enough, and with no overtime, this game has to be settled. Both sides are trying everything they can, but they're not giving an inch of room out there at either end. Yakushev tries to break in but Mahovolich goes low on him, sending the dangerous Soviet forward tumbling away. Not sure I agree with Brian Conacher that it was clean, Brad Marchand loved it, I hear.

The teams are back at full strength, 2:26 remaining. The line changes seem to take forever, but the officials aren't enforcing it, recognizing both teams are exhausted. Faceoff in the Canadian zone. Mahovolich tries to feed a streaking Cournoyer, but it's whistled down offside. Last minute now. The Soviets try to clear the zone but it's held in, and Cournoyer hits a streaking Henderson, but he falls as he tries to connect. Esposito gets a shot from the faceoff circle, and no one takes Henderson, who goes to the net, taking the rebound and putting it past a falling Tretiak. 34 seconds. That close to being an event we'd rather forget. They kill off the remaining seconds, and the Canadian fans count down the remaining seconds. From stumbling through the first 4 games at home, so many fans and definitely the media calling them out for their lack of success, to regrouping and winning 3 of 4 on Moscow ice to win the series.

Aftermath (Sean Z.)

>> First of all, a huge thank you to Joe Pelletier for putting together the website called 1972 Summit Series:A September To Remember. That site was referenced repeatedly. Nice work, Joe!

>>Canada was almost disqualified from the series in Game 8. (Globe and Mail)

>>The passion of John Ferguson Drove Canada in the Summit Series (CBC). Passion, like "HEY BOBBY! TAKEOUT KHARLAMOV'S ANKLE!"

>> If you watched the highlights video at the top of the article Henderson tells the story of how he called Mahovlich off the ice because he had a feeling he was going to score the winner. It's a story Henderson has told for 40 years.

He told TSN recently:

"I felt I had to get on the ice," Henderson recalled recently. "A tie was no good, they were going to claim victory because they had scored more goals than we did. I really wish I had an answer, but I don't. I just felt I had to get out there, I felt I could score a goal."

Another story from Henderson (via Canucks.com):

When Henderson scored the winner, there were still 34 seconds left, as Kent mentioned above. All of the players flocked onto the ice to mug Paul in celebration. Even goalie Ken Dryden skated all the way across the ice to join the fray. But reality set in quickly for the Canadiens' legendary goaltender:

"I have no recollection except I do remember the celebration of it," Dryden said. "I remember clunking down the ice and being in that pile of celebration and then thinking, 'I've got to get hold of myself, there's still 34 seconds to go, get a grip."'

The final 34 seconds passed with no attack from the Soviets. I think they were stunned.

>> I have talked to several people who were old enough to watch this final game. Most of them were in school and as was the case across the country, most teachers brought radios or tv's into classrooms or gymnasiums so everybody could watch. It was a huge event that brought a country together. I wish I was alive at the time, but I still watch this series over and over again and I get that same patriotic feeling and chills every time I watch it. This is Canada. Henderson's goal is one of the biggest moments in our history, and we should forever be proud of it. More from Henderson:

"I think one of the things we don't do well as Canadians is celebrate a lot of times, but especially with hockey," Henderson said. "When Crosby scored, man, I was jumping up and down and so I understand what Canadians were doing when I scored."

>> Of course, much of the younger generation will say Sidney Crosby's golden goal was bigger. It wasn't. But, when I watch the golden goal and remember the jubilation I felt afterwards, I can now say I felt some of the same joy and ecstacy that Canadians felt on September 28, 1972.

>>The Canadian players did not understand the magnitude of the situation until their plane landed on Canadian soil. They were heroes. Henderson was a god. Not only did he score the Game 8 winning goal, he had scored the winning goal in the two previous games as well. Games that Canada HAD to win. He had his ups and downs with his new found popularity, which he describes in his book, Shooting For Glory.

For all of Henderson's heroics, the one player that stood out in every game of the Series for the Canadians was Phil Esposito. He led the tournament in scoring with 7 goals and 6 assists, followed by Alexander Yakushev who scored 7 goals and 4 assists. Henderson finished 3rd with 7 goals and 3 assists. I just thought Esposito and Yakushev were the most dominant throughout the series.

Today, Paul Henderson is 69 years old, battling cancer, and still has not been inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame. Sure, he wasn't a star at the NHL level, but he wasn't terrible either. And kicking ass in the Summit Series does count for something. Speaking publicly to kids and at other events for all these years accounts for something. What's it going to take, his passing to get him in there? What do you think?

[Николай Озеров]

http://thetyee.ca/Life/2012/09/08/1972-Summit-Series/
And key people who propelled the drama.

By Steve Burgess, 8 Sep 2012, TheTyee.ca
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Summit-overlay.jpg

PM Pierre Trudeau was all smiles officiating the opening face-off for Game One of the 1972 Summit Series between the Soviet Union and Canada in Toronto. By Game Four in Vancouver, the mood was grim.
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Take pride, Vancouver. You played a key role in Canadian hockey's finest hour. Today, Sept. 8, marks the 40th anniversary of Game Four in the epic 1972 Summit Series, played at the Pacific Coliseum. For Team Canada, Vancouver would prove to be the low point. The booing began during Team Canada's pre-game warm-ups, while Soviet players were cheered during introductions. The game ended in a decisive 5-3 Soviet win as Team Canada fell behind in the series, 1-2-1, heading into the four Russian games. Our Canadian heroes were booed off the Coliseum ice. And that upset Phil Esposito. "Every one of us guys, 35 guys that came out and played for Team Canada, we did it because we love our country, and not for any other reason," Esposito told the TV audience as he stood on the ice that night. "They can throw the money for the pension fund out the window.... We came because we love Canada... and I don't think it's fair that we should be booed."

It's often claimed that Espo's televised outburst was the turning point. Just like we planned it, Vancouver.

In some ways it's an odd choice for a national defining moment. Unlike America's feel-good Miracle on Ice in 1980, the 1972 Canada-Soviet Summit Series was not a David vs. Goliath story -- unless you cast Canada in the role of Goliath. Our hockey establishment was indeed smug, swaggering and overconfident until those stones started flying. The basic facts are practically tattooed on our national coat of arms: Early shocks, desperate times, the string of must-win victories back in Russia, and finally Paul Henderson's joyous leap with 34 seconds left in the eighth and final game. Goliath, bloody but unbowed, had come through. Some players and people who made up the drama:

Tretiak

Scouting can be a tough business. In 1962 a Decca Records talent scout declined to sign a Liverpool group, remarking, "The Beatles have no future in show business." Ten years later, just days before the opening of the Summit Series, Toronto Maple Leafs head scout Bob Armstrong was quoted after watching a Soviet team practice: "We saw Vladimir Tretiak -- their No. 1 goalie -- and he didn't look particularly good."

The 1972 remark may tell you more about the future of the Leafs than it did about Tretiak. But in fairness, Tretiak was somewhat distracted that day. He'd gotten married the day before. "Two days later I was back in training and a day after that the team left for Canada," Tretiak said afterwards. "I tell people I spent my honeymoon with Canadian hockey players."

The Summit Series would make Tretiak arguably the most famous goalie never to play in the NHL -- the first non-NHL player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Cassandras

The overconfidence of the Canadians has become legendary. A Canadian Press story from Aug. 24, 1972 was given the headline Scouts Suggest Eight Game Sweep in the Simcoe Reformer. But there were Cassandras out there. Montreal Star sports columnist John Robertson promised that if the Canadians somehow prevailed, he would eat his column.

In an eerily prescient interview, former Canadian national team player Herb Pinder warned of what was coming. "The Russians will have an edge in conditioning no matter how hard Sinden works his players," Pinder told the Canadian Press in August 1972. "We just aren't prepared to pay the price to get in shape like the Russians.... They shoot hard and they don't waste shots.... They can hit, they are big and they are in better condition."

"You could see the refereeing so bad that they (the Canadians) pull out and come home. People don't know how bad it can get."

They found out. Team Canada's J.P. Parise became so incensed with German referee Josef Kompalla he threatened to decapitate the ref with his stick.

As for Robertson, his warnings had essentially been proven right. But a promise is a promise. At a Montreal restaurant not long after the series ended, he choked down a bowl of shredded newsprint. Not by itself, of course -- the column was served up with tasty Russian dressing.

The Missing

In 1997 The Hockey News compiled a list of hockey's all-time greatest players. Three of the Hockey News top ten -- Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull -- were active at the time of the Summit Series. None played in it. Orr was listed on the roster but had just had knee surgery. Hull was named to the team by coach Harry Sinden but had committed the unpardonable sin of defecting to the upstart World Hockey Association. He was blackballed by tournament organizers, in spite of a direct plea from Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Hull and Howe, who had also gone to the new league, would get their chance two years later when the WHA staged its own version of the Summit Series. Lacking the same sort of supporting cast, the WHA all-stars were beaten soundly, 4-1-3 -- despite the presence of 1972 hero Paul Henderson, who had since joined the new league. Hull did prove himself against the Soviets, leading the series in scoring with seven goals. Howe scored three. Not bad, considering he was 46 years old at the time.

The Posterized Boy

In the NBA they call it "being posterized." Every bedroom wall poster of a monster dunk co-stars some unfortunate defender standing flat-footed, or perhaps leaping ineffectually as the ball slams through the hoop. Superstar vs. stooge, in a frozen image that never changes. So pity poor Yuri Liapkin -- posterized on the most famous goal in Canadian hockey history.

By 1972 Liapkin was established as a great defenseman for Soviet league teams Khimik Voskresensk -- he would later join Spartak Moscow. He was the national team's highest-scoring defenseman. It's no wonder #25 was out there for the final crucial seconds of Game Eight along with #6, Moscow Dynamo defenseman Valery Vasiliev. After Henderson's first wild swing at the puck that carried him behind the net, the puck ricocheted off the side boards toward Vasiliev, who could not corral it. The puck then seemed to carom off Liapkin, positioned just beside Vasiliev. Henderson, back on his feet, grabbed the loose puck and swung around a diving Tretiak to deposit the winner.

Paul-Henderson

Skating forlornly behind a jubilant Paul Henderson, Yuri Liapkin ponders, perhaps, his impending posterization.

It is hard to watch that video and pin the blame solely on Liapkin. Yet in that iconic photograph, as familiar to Canadian boomers as the flag, there is a despondent Liapkin skating just behind the jubilant Henderson. Mercifully for the Russian he was cropped out of the photo that graced most Canadian front pages the next day (near-identical versions were shot by photographers Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star and Montreal Canadiens team photographer Denis Brodeur, father of Martin Brodeur). But fairly or not he is still cast as the goat. "It turned out to be my worst nightmare," Liapkin later said. "Now all these years later everyone knows Henderson scored when Yuri Liapkin gave up the puck."

The (Larger) Turning Point

At the start of the 72-73 season NHL rosters featured three Swedes: Juha Widing, who had played his junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings; Bobby Nystrom, who had moved to Canada with his family at age four; and Thommie Bergman. The Bruins' Ken Hodge had been born in England and Ranger Walt Tkaczuk in Germany. That was it for Europeans.

Ten years later Europeans would make up slightly more than 10 per cent of NHL rosters. 1982 was also the year that a Soviet player first took the ice in an NHL game: Viktor Netchaev played three for the Los Angeles Kings. (He had married an American.) Not until the defection of Alexander Mogilny before the 1989/90 season would a Soviet-trained player really star in the NHL.

Eventually Mogilny would make his way to the Vancouver Canucks, joining superstar Pavel Bure in 1995. It made sense. After all, Vancouver fans started cheering for Russians early. [Tyee]

[Николай Озеров]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sport...349/story.html

RED FISHER, The Gazette 10.30.2011
Team Canada linemates Paul Henderson, second from left, and Bobby Clarke square off against the Soviets in Game 1 of the 1972 Summit Series in Montreal.
Team Canada linemates Paul Henderson, second from left, and Bobby Clarke square off against the Soviets in Game 1 of the 1972 Summit Series in Montreal.Denis Brodeur / Image supplied
Paul Henderson
Hockey legend Paul Henderson was in Regina on March 21, 2011, complete with a semi-trailer full of Team Canada 1972 memorabilia and his jersey from Canada-Russia Summit Series.Bryan Schlosser / Leader-Post
1972-summit.jpg
Team Canada's Phil Esposito (7) and teammate Yvan Cournoyer battle with Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak and defenceman Valery Vasiliev (6) in Moscow during the historic 1972 Summit Series. The series, still widely considered to be arguably the most historically significant international hockey event by many, was won by Canada four games to three, with one tie.Courtesy / DENIS BRODEUR
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MONTREAL - As you’ve noticed, our Prime Minister has written a 5,000-word foreword to new book by Summit Series hero Paul Henderson in which he suggests that when people ask him about Canada’s greatest moments in international play, he doesn’t want to take anything from the Sidney Crosby overtime goal at the 2010 Olympics.

“It had a huge significance, especially for any Canadian that was much younger than I am,” Stephen Harper writes. “That was the moment of their lives in hockey.

“The game in ’72, (a reference to Game 8 in which Henderson scored the winner with 36 seconds remaining) was between two hockey worlds, featuring athletes who did not know each other and didn’t approach the game in remotely the same way or play the same style. As the series progressed, it actually became a confrontation of systems, a confrontation of values. It became a microcosm of the fact that Canada was allied with the West against Communism and the East in the Cold War. As the series progressed, the intensity rose.

“What it came down to was whether the system of a free people was going to triumph over the system of one that had no respect for individuals. I was 13 years old at the time, but I was of that time. For someone who was right of centre, it was an event that reminded Canadians of why we were in the Cold War. It was a pretty important moment in history.”

How right he is.

So many years later, Game 8 and The Goal remains freshest in the minds of Canadians who watched it on television and even more so to the 3,000 Canadians at Luzhniki Arena in Moscow. A close second in my mind was Game 5, the first of four games in that city after everyone across our land were left stunned after a 7-3 loss in Game 1 at the Forum, a win in Toronto, a tie in Winnipeg and an embarrassing loss in Vancouver.

My seat in the arena was a few rows below a private box where Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union sat with several of his principal aides. Brezhnev was to preside over the country from 1964 until his death in 1982 – an 18-year term second only to that of Josef Stalin.

A Soviet win would leave Canada with the daunting challenge of winning the next three games in Moscow. It would show that Communism ruled and Brezhnev was there to see it happen, but as it developed, the USSR’s most powerful person was not a happy camper for more than two periods.

Jean-Paul Parise opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period. Bobby Clarke scored early in the second, assisted by Henderson, and Henderson lifted Team NHL into a 3-0 lead shortly after the period’s midway point.

A quick glance at general secretary Brezhnev showed him staring straight ahead, eyes unseeing.

Early in the third period, Yuri Blinov scored, but a little more than a minute later, Clarke set up Henderson for his second goal. Canada 4, USSR 1. A little more than 15 minutes remained – and the series would be tied.

In his private box, president Brezhnev still stared straight ahead … his lips pressed together in what appeared to be an angry slash.

I wondered: what was he thinking

In the 10th minute of the period, Vyacheslev Anisim lifted the Soviets within two goals. Still no problem, but only eight seconds after the faceoff, Vladimir Shadrin scored – and now, the Canadian fans in the roaring arena were stilled. What was going on here?

A little more than two minutes later, Alexander Gusev’s goal tied the game. Then, only three minutes beyond that, Valery Kharlamov, the Soviets’ best player, set up Vladimir Vikulov with the winning goal.

Four goals in five minutes and 41 seconds by the Soviets in this 5-4 victory! How could this happen? Why?

Another quick glance at the USSR secretary general now showed him sitting back in his seat wearing what appeared to be a tight smile. Not for long, but a smile, nevertheless.

As Prime Minister Harper mentioned, this West versus East series was so much more than hockey games. It was a clash of systems, about which I learned a little early in the game when I visited Moscow in July to write a pre-series series on the Soviet players for The Montreal Star.

Following my first meeting with a group of roughly 20 stern-looking hockey officials who grilled me for an hour about the makeup of Team Canada, I was introduced to a short, stocky man who I was told was a sportswriter with one of the Soviet newspapers. He would be my interpreter for the 10 days I would spend in Moscow.

We got along extremely well throughout the July visit, to the point where we exchanged gifts for our children. Not so well after Game 5, and not at all while Team Canada went about the business of winning the next three games. However, I still was able to ask him what he would be doing after the series.

“I believe,” the ‘sportswriter’ replied, “I will be assigned to our embassy in Iran.”

rfisher@montrealgazette.com

[Николай Озеров]

[Николай Озеров]

http://www.nucksmisconduct.com/2012/...anada-3-ussr-2

By Kent Basky on Sep 27, 2012, 12:50a 21
CBC.ca

After blowing a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period, Team Canada is facing a must win situation the rest of the way. Cue the hero (and anti-hero) as they battle the Red Menace and the worst. referees. ever.
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Venue: Luzhniki Ice Palace, Moscow, USSR

Attendance: 14,000

Series: 1-3-1

Do or die. After the last game, and the heart breaking loss after things fell apart in the 3rd period, Team Canada could not lose another game if they hoped to win the series. Winning 3 in a row is tough enough. Winning 3 in a row on the road? Even tougher. Winning 3 straight against this fearsome opponent? The odds weren't in their favour, that's for sure. A couple lineup changes for Team Canada, as they inserted Red Berenson and Dennis Hull in for Rod Seiling and Serge Savard and Ken Dryden in place of Phil Esposito in goal, while the Russians dropped Gusev and Kuzkin, along with Blinov, Martinyuk and Mishakov for Vasiliev, Shatalov, Lebedev, Bodunov and Volchkov. Also of note, tonight's officials: Josef Kampala and Franz Baeder.

First Period

One thing that's immediately apparent watching this one, is the level of physicality Team Canada brings to the game. The number of times you hear the shrill whistles of the Soviet fans as they voice their disapproval of the play is almost comical as the game goes on. The post whistle scrums last longer, and are far more intense than any previous game. No whistle for a 5 minute stretch early on, and some very intense hockey out of the game, predominantly in the Soviet end. Both teams are coming out full steam, and early on both goaltenders look sharp, being called on to make some big saves.

Bergman gets called for tripping, and the reaction of the Canadian players on the ice lets you know they're already wise to the officials and their incompetence. It only gets worse when they call Canada for icing on the penalty kill. Yes, you read that right. The frustration level of the Canadians is evident, as their conversations with Kampala and Baeder grow increasingly heated.

Team Canada manages to kill off the penalty, but Kampala strikes again, this time calling a double minor for charging on Phil Esposito, causing Esposito to make a choking gesture from the penalty box at the officials. Decent penalty kill from Canada, as they do a great job keeping the Soviets on the perimeter, and giving Dryden good views of the shots.

Another thing is apparent in this period: The advantage that the Soviets seemed to have in their conditioning early in the Series now seems to have been evened, as the Canadians are now in game shape and not just keeping up with the speedy Soviets, but with players like Cournoyer, taking the play to them. Vikulov has an incredible chance late in the period on a play started by Kharlamov, but Dryden makes a spectacular sprawling save across the goal-line, taking away the easy tap-in.

Second Period

The Soviets score early as Liapkin fires a low, hard slapshot from the blueline that beats Dryden, with assists to Yakushev and Shadrin. Tensions start to rise as Ragulin is called for interference. Sticks are starting rise, words yelled rather than spoken and the pushing and shoving is becoming more common. A bit a light moment as Ragulin sits down in the Canadian penalty box originally. The Soviets are coming out hard on the PK, dictating the play, but later the play moves up the ice and Esposito drills one from the slot, forcing Tretiak to make a big stop. Esposito keeps the pressure up after the penalty is killed off, and he and Rod Gilbert set up Dennis Hull who fires it past Tretiak to tie the game. Shortly after that, Cournoyer takes a pass in the slot from Red Berenson, and just like that, it's a 2-1 Canada lead. They hadn't even announced the 2nd goal, when Henderson crosses the blueline and catches Tretiak completely unprepared, ripping a low shot past him for a 3-1 lead. 3 goals in 1:23, very reminiscent of the Soviet outburst in the 3rd period of Game 5.

Vasiliev and Serge Savard exchange punches in the corner, and both end up in the box. One thing that really stands out about these games in Moscow is the netting at the end of the ice, rather than plexiglass. It was a direct cause of the second goal for Canada, as Berenson played the carom beautifully, before firing it to Cournoyer in the slot. Peter Mahovolich tosses a stick onto the ice as the officials blow the play dead on what would have been a potential Canadian breakaway. Then comes the hack heard round the world, as Bobby Clarke, on direction from Team Canada assistant coach John Ferguson, went after the Soviets best player Valeri Kharlamov and 2 handed him in the ankle. Kharlamov, to his credit didn't lose his footing, but with his ankle cracked, would miss the next game. He returned for game 8, but was largely ineffective. Clarke recieved a 2 minute slashing penalty and a 10 minute misconduct. The Canadian frustration with the officials is growing, and they're in the faces of Kampala and Baeder after every whistle.

Berenson breaks in alone, but doesn't get a good shot away, Tretiak turning it away easily. Sinden and the rest of the Canadian bench lose it as they get called for icing. How bad was this call? See for yourself...

Offside?

Don't blame them for being angry on this one, as an odd-man rush for Canada was blown down. It's such a cliche, but it was certainly beginning to look at this point as though the West German refs were in the Soviets' pocket. Late in the period Dennis Hull gets called for slashing, and it takes just 9 seconds for the vaunted Soviet PP to strike, Yakuskev from Shadrin and Liapkin, and it's a 1 goal game once again. Not long after though, another bad offside call gets Esposito irate with Kampala and Baeder, and when Esposito highsticked Ragulin, he was given a 5 minute penalty for highsticking, and they tacked on a bench minor, primarily because of Ferguson's screaming and yelling. A five minute PP after that last display of their might on the man advantage, the first two minutes of it played 5 on 3. A kill for Canada could go a long way to helping ensure victory. You can't ever count this Soviet team out though, as we saw in Game 5. Close call as the Soviets hit the side of the net, Kharlamov had Dryden down and out, but wasn't able to put it home.

Third Period

After giving up a 3 goal lead in the last game, you had to think Canada are wary of giving the Soviets any type of opening, and need to come up with a solid defensive period, and above all else, stay disciplined and do their best to stay out of the box. But let's face it, these refs are calling things that defy logic.

They start the period still killing off Esposito's 5 minute high sticking call, but are doing a damn fine job of keeping the Soviets from setting up on the power play, frequently forcing them to go back into their own zone to get the puck and regroup. A big cheer from the 3,000 Canadian fans signals Esposito's return to the ice, and while they dodged that bullet, they're not home free yet. A 3 on 1 break for the Soviets looks like trouble, but the shot goes wide.

Another cheer as Clarke returns to the ice, having served his misconduct penalty. 40 years later and I still struggle with it. There's no doubt it was a huge turning point in the series. Kharlamov was hands down the best player for the Soviets. And this was so much more than just a hockey game. This was not even 2 nations at war on the ice, but 2 political ideologies duking it out for supremacy. And yet taking all that into consideration, I still have such a difficult time with it, because it was just so blatantly dirty. A couple good chances for Canada, first Ellis streaking in, then later Esposito, but both miss the net.

Canada's defensive play is really starting to take center stage here, as they continue to take away time and space from the Soviet forwards when they try to head into the Canadian zone. The Canadians have kept the Soviets pinned in their zone for well over a minute, aggressively looking for some insurance. Cournoyer uses his speed to get away from the Soviet defenders and tries to beat Tretiak on a wrap-around, but the Soviet netminder gets across the crease in time to keep the puck out.

The Canadian crowd chants 'NYET, NYET SOVIET! DA, DA CANADA!'. I can remember this vividly watching the games as a young lad in Saskatoon, and for the longest time, when playing street hockey, I could hear this chant in my head as I played, imagining I was leading Team Canada to glory against the hated Soviets.

The teams switch ends after the 10 minute mark (I have always loved this about international hockey, and wouldn't complain if they did this in the NHL, though I suppose it would never happen, what with home ice advantage and the long change for the visitors being something the home teams use to their benefit). Canada continuing to press, and they're looking far more confident and composed, but so much more physical than any previous game in this series.

7 minutes left, and you can just feel the Soviets almost getting desperate, but once again, Canada's team defensive play is snuffing out Soviet rushes time after time. So much is said about the play of Esposito and Henderson, but another key player for the Canadians is Serge Savard. He suffered a foot injury in the games back in Canada and didn't play in the games against Sweden. His rock-steady defensive play, especially in Game 6 has been one of the reasons for Canada's success.

They're getting close to victory when potential disaster strikes: A Ron Ellis holding call with less than 3 minutes remaining. A Soviet PP seems like the worst possible thing this late in the game, but led by Savard and his Montreal D partner Guy Lapointe, the Canadian penalty killers, along with Ken Dryden are holding them off. They kill off the penalty and for now, the Canadians still have hope. A win in Game 7 means they can still win the series. A loss, and it's all over. A great game for Dryden in this one as he stopped 27 of 29 shots.

[Николай Озеров]

http://www.conacher-rosenfeld.ca/les...osito-eng.html

Phil Esposito about to score in the Summit Series

Phil Esposito about to score on Vladislav Tretiak in the first Canada-Russia series.
Date:
September 4, 1972
Collection:
CP photo
1972 - Feature Story

A newspaper cartoon called him “Canada’s First Italian Prime Minister” and had Phil Esposito run for office he probably would have won in a landslide. The 30-year-old Boston Bruins centre, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, enjoyed a memorable year that showcased not only his hockey skills but his leadership qualities. In the spring of 1972 he won his third Art Ross trophy as NHL points scoring leader. Months later, Canada met the Soviet Union in an eight-game hockey Summit Series. The event did not begin well for Canada as the Soviets prevailed 2-1-1 after the first four games. Fans booed the host team after a 5-3 loss in Vancouver and on national television Esposito chastised Canadians and called for their support through the next four games in the Soviet Union. Canada rallied to win the final three games and the series. Esposito was the campaign’s top scorer with seven goals and six assists. In 1972, he was one of 67 Canadians named to the Order of Canada.

[Николай Озеров]

https://www.nhl.com/news/game-5-loss...eries/c-641839

by John Kreiser / NHL.com
September 22nd, 2012

Forty years ago, the hockey world fundamentally was changed by the start of an eight-game series between national teams from Canada, loaded with NHL players in their prime, and the Soviet Union -- considered the two best hockey-playing nations in the world at the time -- that played out across the month of September. The series was a must-follow for hockey fans across the globe and after its dramatic conclusion --- a 4-3-1 series win for the Canadians -- there was no question that the NHL never would be the same again. This month, NHL.com looks at the historic Summit Series with a month-long collection of content.

Previous 1972 Summit Series recaps: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4

Two weeks after being booed off the ice in Vancouver, Canada understandably felt pretty much alone as the second half of the Summit Series began on Sept. 22, 1972. They named themselves "Team 50," representing the 50 players, coaches, trainers and other personnel who made the trip for the four games in Moscow's Luzhniki Ice Palace.

But surprisingly, the fan support the team hadn't gotten at home was very much in evidence on the road.

Nearly 3,000 Canadian fans made the trip to Moscow, forming a red-clad island of noise in an otherwise stoic gathering of 15,000 people. Tens of thousands more Canadians sent telegrams of support that were passed among the players in the dressing room. It was the kind of support that had largely been missing during the four games in Canada.

GAME 5: SOVIET UNION 5, CANADA 4

The Soviet Union scored five third-period goals on just 11 shots for a stunning 5-4 victory in Game 5 to open up a 3-1-1 lead over Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series.

First Period: 1, Canada, Parise 2 (Perreault, Gilbert), 15:30.

Second Period: 2, Canada, Clarke 2 (Henderson), 3:34. 3, Canada, Henderson 3 (Lapointe, Clarke), 11:58.

Third Period: 4, USSR, Blinov 2 (Petrov, Kuzkin), 3:34. 5, Canada, Henderson 4 (Clarke), 4:56. 6, USSR, Anisin 1 (Liapkin, Yakushev), 9:05. 7, USSR, Shadrin 2 (Anisin), 9:13. 8, USSR, Gusev 1 (Ragulin, Kharlamov) 11:41. 9, USSR, Vikulov 2 (Kharlamov), 14:46.

Shots on goal: Canada 12-13-12--37. Soviet Union 9-13-11-33.

Goalies: Canada, T. Esposito 1-1-1 (33 shots on goal, 28 saves). Soviet Union, Tretiak 3-1-1 (37-33).

Attendance: 15,000

"It certainly became a highly charged atmosphere, especially when we got down and had to go to Russia and try to win," Paul Henderson told NHL.com. "It took on a whole different dimension from our point of view. I would say unequivocally that without the 3,000 Canadian fans that came with us, I don't think we would have won the series. They were such an inspiration. They were incredible."

There were 13 days between Games 4 and 5, with Canada preparing for the bigger international ice surface by playing two games in Sweden -- winning 4-1 and tying 4-4 -- that featured a lot of stick work by the Swedes (Wayne Cashman needed 50 stitches to close a cut in his mouth after being high-sticked) and rough play by international standards from the Canadians.

Being away from home appeared to be serving as a bonding experience for Canada, which dominated the first two periods of Game 5. J.P. Parise opened the scoring 15:30 into the game, and second-period goals by Bob Clarke and Henderson made it 3-0 after 40 minutes.

The Soviets got on the board early in the third period, but Henderson scored again at 4:56 -- only a few minutes after crashing headfirst into the boards and lying motionless for several moments before being helped off the ice. Fortunately for Henderson, he was wearing a helmet, and he talked coach Harry Sinden into letting him return despite a concussion.

With 11 minutes to play, Canada was up 4-1 and appeared to be cruising.

But as if flicking a switch, the Soviets came to life -- and Canada stopped skating, ignoring their coach's warning not to try to sit on the lead. Vyacheslav Anisin and Vladimir Shadrin scored eight seconds apart to make it a one-goal contest and get the normally quiet crowd back into the game.

Alexander Gusev tied it at 11:41, beating Tony Esposito with a screened slapper from the point, and Vladimir Vikulov completed the comeback by scoring on a breakaway at 14:46 -- Esposito slammed his stick in frustration after the goal. The Soviets ended up scoring five third-period goals on 11 shots for a stunning 5-4 victory and a 3-1-1 lead in the series.

Despite the loss, the Canadian fans stood and cheered as the players left the ice.

"It was a long, long way from home, and having those people there was comforting," Clarke told NHL.com.

But the cheers of the Canadian fans weren't much comfort right after the game.

Sinden stormed off into the coaches' room and wound up hurling a cup of coffee against the wall, splattering the liquid all over his suit. But the Canadian team got even angrier the next day when they found out the supplies of beef, milk and beer than they had brought from home had been stolen and were being sold to the guests at the same hotel where they were staying.

"We had problems with people waking us up in the middle of the night," Rod Gilbert told NHL.com. "We had problems with our food -- they stole our beer. That was worse than the food."

But the loss also had a galvanizing effect on Canada.

"We lost the first game in Moscow; we had a 3-0 lead. We got together afterward and said we weren't going to lose another game," Gilbert said. "We had to fight the referees and everyone else. They tried to distract us. It really united the team."