Series of the century

The Series of the century , series of parts of Hockey, was held 2 with the September 28th 1972. The first four matches took place with the Canada, while the last four were played Moscow in the USSR.

Context

In 1972, the Canada and the Soviet Union clash at the time of a series, to determine which country was the greatest nation of hockey in the world. The majority of the Canadians were convinced that Canada would make only one mouthful of the Soviet team, but it was different.

After the first four matches in Canada, where the smoothness of play of the Russians époustoufla the public, the Canadian team was carried out two victories against one and a tie. To preserve its honor, Canada was to gain three of the four last meetings in Moscow.

In the first match in Moscow, the USSR made up a deficit of 4-1 and gained the match 5-4. The Soviets needed only one null part to gain the championship.

Thereafter, the Canadian team sounded the rallying and managed to impose her style of physical and brutal play. Bobby Clarke made use of its stick of hockey to give a fracturing blow of axe ankle Valeri Kharlamov. The Canadians gained the three last parts in Russian territory, culminating over a goal of Paul Henderson at 34 seconds of the end of the eighth and ultimate match. This dramatic victory of the Canadian team is one of the greatest returns in the history of hockey.

Match 1 - Forum of Montreal

Expecting a part with one way where the Canadian team would carry it with facility, the partisans montréalais well quickly are disillusioned by the play of the Soviet .

Canada takes quickly initiative 2-0 in first period vis-a-vis in the USSR thanks to the goals of Phil Esposito (00: 30) and of Paul Henderson (06: 32). The Soviet team gives the pendulums per hour before the end of the period with goals of Evgeny Zimin (11: 40) and of Vladimir Petrov (17: 28), this last goal marked in numerical disadvantage.

The second period is all with the advantage of the USSR which marks two other goals to take the initiative, both marked by Valeri Kharlamov (02: 40 and 10:18). Environment changes radically with the Forum whereas the easy victory is becoming a defeat for the nation of hockey .

The third period starts with a goal of Bobby Clarke for Canada (08: 22), but the Soviet Union finish the meeting with three other goals, marked not Boris Mikhailov (13: 32), Evgeny Zimin (14: 29) and Alex Yakushev (18: 37).

: 18818 spectators attend this unexpected defeat of the Team of Canada. The titles of players of the meeting return in Bobby Clarke for Canada and Valeri Kharlamov for the USSR. The two guards were Ken Dryden (Canada) and Vladislav Tretiak (the USSR) and respectively faced 30 and 32 shootings. The two teams about were penalized also during this meeting.

Match 2 - Maple Leaf Gardens

The pressure goes up quickly on the shoulders of the Canadian players who want to make forget the humiliating defeat that they underwent two days earlier in Montreal.

No goal is marked during the first period when Canada bails out of two penalties.

Canada opens the mark in second period thanks to Phil Esposito (07: 14). The USSR shows signs of indiscipline whereas it is punished with five recoveries during this engagement.

Benefitting from a numerical advantage at the beginning of third period, double Yvan Cournoyer advance of Canada (01: 19). The USSR benefits in its turn from a numerical advantage a few minutes later whereas Alex Yakushev marks (05: 53). Canada retorts with two other goals, the first of Pete Mahovlich (06: 47) in numerical inferiority, the second of his brother Frank (08: 59).

It is: 16485 spectators who witness this Canadian victory. The brothers Phil and Tony Esposito par excellence share the title of player for Canada whereas at the Soviets, it is Vladislav Tretiak which deserves it. Tony Esposito kept the Canadian net and dealt with 21 shootings while Vladislav Tretiak was of office with an aim of the USSR where he faced 36 shootings. The USSR was the team most punished during this meeting, in particular with a ten minutes penalty imposed on Valery Kharlamov at the end of the second period.

Match 3 - Winnipeg Arena

Canada starts this meeting in lion with a fast goal of Jean-Paul Parise (01: 54). The counterpart of the Soviet team is quite as fast whereas Vladimir Petrov marks in numerical disadvantage (03: 16). Jean Ratelle will give again the fronts in Canada at the end of the period (18: 25).

The second period starts with another goal of Canada, this time marked by Phil Esposito (04: 19). Valery Kharlamov will mark a little later in numerical inferiority (12: 56) to bring back the variation to only one goal. Less than one minute later, Paul Henderson gives again an advance of two goals in Canada (13: 47). The equality is created before the end of the period thanks to the goals of Yuri Lebedev (14: 59) and of Alex Bodunov (18: 28).

The third period is marked of some penalties, including one ten minutes for the Canadian Wayne Cashman. No goal is registered during this period.

: 9800 people attend this null part. Paul Henderson is proclaimed player par excellence for the team of Canada and on the side of the team of the USSR, this title returns for one second time in Vladislav Tretiak. This last kept the Soviet net, stopping 38 shootings. Tony Esposito was the guard of service for Canada whereas it dealt with 25 shootings. Once again, the two teams undergo approximately the same number of penalties.

This null part will take an major importance during the days which will follow since this series counts eight meetings, an even figure, and that an equality between the two teams is not easily realizable in this context. Moreover, this result caused the frustration of several Canadian partisans who showed the Canadian players not to put more effort than one did not have any during this series.

Match 4 - Pacific Coliseum

Last match in Canadian ground for this series. The frustration of the Canadian partisans is increasingly palpable whereas the meeting starts.

The first period is very Soviet. Canada undergoes three penalties during this one whereas the Soviet players are irreproachable. Boris Mikhailov marks the two goals of the USSR in numerical advantage (02: 01 and 07:29). Crowd starts to hoot the team of Canada whose moral one is clearly with the fall.

Gilbert Perreault opens the mark for Canada at the beginning of second period (05: 37). The USSR retorts with two other goals, those of Yuri Blinov (06: 34) and of Vladimir Vikulov (13: 52). Climate envenime more in front of the performance of Canada.

The third period begins with a goal of Canada, marked by Bill Goldsworthy (06: 64). Vladimir Shadrin counterpart a few minutes later for the Soviet Union (11: 05). Dennis Hull registers a last goal for Canada before the end of the meeting (19: 38), but it is too little and too late for the Canadian team which undergoes a second reverse on her own territory.

: 15570 spectators clearly make know their dissatisfaction following this reverse. Phil Esposito is named player par excellence for Canada under the hootings whereas Boris Mikhailov receives the price at the Soviets. Ken Dryden dealt with 31 shootings for Canada whereas Vladislav Tretiak faced the 41 throws of Canada. Canada is punished with four recoveries against only once for the USSR, which will affect the result of this meeting.

Following this part where the partisans hooted the Canadian players, Alan Eagleson of the team of trainers of Canada will express the feeling of guilt of the team whereas the captain Phil Esposito, excuses himself for the behavior of the team: “ To the people across Canada, we tried. We gave it our best. To the people who booed custom, geez, all off custom guys are really disheartened. We' Re disillusioned and disappointed. We boat believe the bad close we' ve got, the booing we' ve got in our own building. I' m completely disappointed. I boat believe it. Every one off custom guys -- 35 guys -- we cam out because we coils our country. Not for any other reason. We cam because we coils Canada. ” the moral one of the team is thus quite low whereas it is on the point of crossing the Atlantique to play the four last meetings with Moscow, behind a very hermetic Iron curtain at that time.

Match 5: Luzhniki Ice De luxe hotel , Moscow (the USSR), on September 22nd, 1972

Thirteen days separate the presentation from meetings 4 and 5. During this period, Équipe Canada goes to Sweden to adapt to dimensions of the European skating rink (Olympic skating rink).

Équipe Canada arrives with a personnel reduced to Moscow. The environment surrounding the team is very hostile and, during all the stay of the Canadians in Soviet ground, of many disturbances will occur, as much for the team that for the 3000 Canadian partisans who go to the USSR.

At the time of the presentation of the Canadian players to crowd, Phil Esposito stumbles on a petal of flower being on the ice. Being raised with elegance, it becomes immediately a favorite of crowd. This scene remains one of most known surrounding the series.

The first period gives place only to one goal, that of Jean-Paul Parisé (15: 30) which gives the fronts to Canada. Each team bail out of a penalty.

The second engagement gives place to play a little harder. Canada triples its advance during this period thanks to the goals of Bobby Clarke (03: 34) and of Paul Henderson (11: 58). Canada is punished with three recoveries; the USSR, twice. These two periods when the Soviet Union is bleached are the two best periods played by Équipe Canada until now in the series.

The USSR retorts finally with a goal of Yuri Blinov (03: 34) whereas Paul Henderson goes there from his second of the evening (04: 56), giving again an advance of three goals in Canada. At this point in time the USSR awakes and that Canada effrondre. In a little more than five minutes, the Soviets mark four goals: Viacheslav Anisin (09: 05), Vladimir Shadrin (09: 13), Alexander Gusev (11: 41) and Vladimir Vikulov (14: 46). Canada is punished only once during this period whereas the USSR is punished twice. The meeting ends on this impressive gone up Soviet Union which places Canada in a dramatic situation: to gain the series, Canada must gain the three last parts, all disputed in Moscow. If only one part ends in null and that Canada gains the two other parts, the series will be equal. Any other result would involve a victory for the USSR.

15000 people attend this first duel in Soviet ground. Tony Esposito and Paul Henderson par excellence share the title of player for Canada; Vladimir Petrov and Alex Yakushev melt about it in the same way for the USSR. Tony Esposito kept the goals for Canada and dealt with 33 shootings. Vladislav Tretiak has as for him deals with 37 shootings.

Final account: Canada 4, the USSR 5 . Results in the series: Canada 1, the USSR 3 (a null part) .

Match 6: Luzhniki Ice De luxe hotel , Moscow (the USSR), on September 24th, 1972

Driven back with the wall, Canada has of another choice only to gain the victory at the time of the three next meetings. However, the Soviet machine plays its best hockey and the Canadians seek a way of thwarting the excellent skaters of the USSR.

The spirits warm up quickly and they are the Canadians who make the expenses of them. Three penalties are decreed in Canada, of which a double penalty minor in Phil Esposito for double failure. The first period is completed without no goal being marked. The two teams withdraw themselves towards their cloakroom before one second period which proves to be decisive in the series.

The Soviet Union is registered quickly with the pointing at the beginning of the second period with the goal of Yuri Liapkin (01: 12). Canada retorts quickly with three goals, those of Refusals Hull (05: 13), Yvan Cournoyer (06: 21) and Paul Henderson (06: 36). A few minutes later, the tension goes up of a notch between the two teams whereas Guy Lapointe and Valeri Vasiliev come almost to the fists. They are driven out both per two minutes. Before the end of these two penalties, the series takes an unexpected turning: taking possession of the disc, it fast Valeri Kharlamov seems well positioned to escape in front of Ken Dryden. In a dramatic gesture, Bobby Clarke raises its stick and violently strikes the Soviet player with ankle who remains on his shoes despite everything. The Canadian player bails out of a two minutes penalty for blow of stick and another ten minutes penalty for bad conduct. Kharlamov will finish the part in spite of the undergone shock. Alex Yakushev marks at the end of the period (17: 11), benefitting from a numerical advantage. The period ends whereas Canada received five penalties (including one major imposed on Phil Esposito for raised stick, without being unaware of either the ten minutes imposed on Bobby Clarke) against two for the USSR. Moreover, the Soviet Union would have marked a goal in all end of period, a goal which seen forever by the official ones, a decision the Soviet team will not dispute.

The third period gives place to a more defensive play. The USSR tries to equalize the mark, without success. No goal is marked during this period. Only one penalty is announced for Canada.

Again, 15000 people fill the amphitheater with Moscow. Ken Dryden and Gary Bergman are named players par excellence Canadian side; Vladimir Lutchenko and Alex Yakushev receive the same honor in the Soviet camp. Ken Dryden dealt with 22 throws in this meeting while Vladislav Tretiak faced 29 shootings.

During hours which will follow this meeting, one will learn that Valeri Kharlamov, considered by several as the best Soviet player, finished the part in spite of a fracture of ankle caused by the famous blow of stick of Clarke. This last had been encouraged to pose this gesture by the trainer-assistant John Ferguson. Phil Esposito will declare years later which it was entirely of agreement with the gesture posed by its former fellow-member. The roughness of the Canadian play thus returns to the apron as of this moment. Kharlamov will not play any more during this series which will become much harder.

Final account: Canada 3, the USSR 2 . Results in the series: Canada 2, the USSR 3 (a null part) .

Match 7: Luzhniki Ice De luxe hotel , Moscow (the USSR), on September 26th, 1972

The moral one of Canada Team is with the rise after the victory of the sixth part. The fate of the team remains however precarious since a defeat always means victory of the USSR in the series. Soviet side, the loss of Kharlamov is confirmed, which can of nothing help this team.

The tension of the sixth meeting is always palpable whereas the two teams exchange penalties in first period. Phil Esposito opens the mark for Canada (04: 09) while the Soviet Union retorts with two goals, those of Alex Yakushev (10: 17) and of Vladmir Petrov in numerical superiority (16: 27). Canada creates the equality before the end of the first period, once again thanks to Phil Esposito (17: 34).

The spirits warm up more in second period whereas many penalties are decreed with the two teams. No goal is counted during this second period which gives place to very robust play.

Rod Gilbert pushes Canada advances some at the beginning of the third period (02: 13), goal with which counterpart Alex Yakushev a few moments later (05: 15) whereas the USSR evolves/moves with a man moreover. The play remains tight until Gary Bergman and Boris Mikhailov bails out each one of a major penalty for roughness. The two teams seem to move towards a null part which could mean equality in the series at the end of the last match. It is without counting on Paul Herderson which marks at the end of the last period (17: 54), throwing a cold shower on the Soviet partisans and players and causing the joy of the spectators and the Canadian players. The part ends a few moments after this splendid goal. Canada is likely still to gain the series.

The 15000 people present at the meeting see Boris Mikhailov and Alex Yakushev like Phil Esposito and Bill White to be named players par excellence of the part. Tony Esposito sees 31 throws being directed against him while Vladislav Tretiak faces the 25 Canadian shootings.

After this animated part, the strange events multiply around Équipe Canada. Various anonymous calls are placed in the various hotel rooms from the players, a Canadian spectator is apprehended. The table is put for the eighth, the last and decisive match.

Final account: Canada 4, the USSR 3 . Results in the series: Canada 3, the USSR 3 (a null part) .

Match 8: Luzhniki Ice De luxe hotel , Moscow (the USSR), on September 28th, 1972

Before even as the last part get going, the controversies multiply. The referees are changed the day before even this ultimate meeting whereas the official neutrals are replaced by the Soviet sporting authorities. Canada rises quickly and chooses finally one of the two referees who will take part in the match.

The meeting begins and quickly, the referee chooses by the USSR decrees strange penalties in Canada. Alex Yakushev opens the mark in numerical superiority (03: 34). Phil Esposito impatient quickly as for work of official, but not as much as Jean-Paul Parise. This last loses its control little time after the first goal of the USSR and faint to strike the faulty referee with the head with his stick. Parisé, which had just been penalized for obstruction, also receives a ten minutes penalty for bad conduct (after having wildly struck the ice with its stick and having howled of the obsenities to the referees) and is expelled of the meeting (for its gesture towards the official one). A few moments later, Phil Esposito creates the equality in numerical superiority (06: 45). Vladimir Lutchenko gives again the advance in the Soviet Union (13: 10), once again in numerical advantage. Brad Park equalizes the mark before the end of engagement (16: 59).

The USSR takes again the fronts in the first second second period on a goal of Vladimir Shadrin (00: 21). The two teams play with more discipline than in first period. It is necessary to await the middle of the period to see Bill White creating the equality (10 again: 32). The USSR explodes thereafter with two goals without counterpart, counted to Alex Yakushev (11: 43) and Valeri Vasiliev in numerical advantage (16: 44). In spite of the variation of two goals, the Canadian players turn over to the cloakroom with optimism.

The third and ultimate period start with a goal of Phil Esposito (02: 27). The spirits warm up little time again after whereas Rod Gilbert and Evgeni Mishakov is driven out five minutes each one to be itself beaten. Yvan Cournoyer throws hysteria among Canadians when it counts in middle of period (12: 56). However, the judge of goal does not light the red light officializing the goal, which throws fire with the powders. Alan Eagleson, sitted in the estrades, tries to go to the bench advertisers to make sure that the goal of Cournoyer is good. Hustling with the passage of the men of the Red Army present on the spot, the latter aggripent it to escort it out of the amphitheater. Pete Mahovlich joint then with the fray and striking Soviet soldiers with his stick; it is immediately followed of its fellow-members who form a human wall in order to help Eagleson. This last is escorted on the other side of the skating rink by the personnel of Canadian trainers, whose members multiply the gestures obscenes with hostile crowd.

The play begins again then. The Soviets seem to play for the null one, which would give them the victory in the series since the USSR marked more goals than Canada, which must absolutement carry it. The minutes are passed while Phil Esposito, Yvan Cournoyer and Paul Henderson jumps on the ice at the time of the last minutes of play. With less than one minute to be played, this last transports the disc in unfavourable zone when he stumbles and gives against the band behind the net of Tretiak. Esposito, according to the play in spite of its apparent tiredness, carries out a weak shooting in direction of Tretiak which stops it without difficulty. Henderson emerges then, recovers the disc and marks the goal of the victory for Canada. As much Canadian crowd and televiewers that the players of Canada Team celebrate this historical goal marked with 19:26. Canada sends its three more imposing attackers to protect the advance and to thus make sure of the victory.

15000 spectators assist at this time historical. Paul Henderson and Brad Park is named players par excellence for Canada, honor which returns to Vladimir Shadrin and Alex Yakushev in the Soviet players. Ken Dryden deals with 27 shootings during this match whereas Vladislav Tretiak faces 36 of them.

Final account: Canada 6, the USSR 5 . Results in the series: Canada 4, the USSR 3 (a null part) .

Detailed results of the tournament

See too

References

Random links: