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1 of 1 copy available
The legacy of the greatest hockey series ever played, fifty years later, with stories from the players that shed new light on those incredible games and times.
"Cournoyer has it on that wing. Here's a shot. Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell. Here's another shot. Right in front...they score! Henderson has scored for Canada!"
These immortal words, spoken to hockey fans around the world by the legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt, capture the historic final-seconds goal scored by Paul Henderson that won the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Hockey fans know the moment well, but the story of those amazing eight games has never been fully told—until now.
The series was the first of its kind, and one of the most dramatic sporting showdowns in history. With the Soviets dominating international hockey, this series was meant to settle the debate, once and for all, of who owned the game. It was Canada's best against the Soviets for the first time. And in the shadow of the Cold War, this was about more than eight games of hockey.
Expectations were high as the series began. This was supposed to be easy for Team Canada, but after the disappointing first four games on home ice with only one win, victory seemed out of reach. With the final four games in Moscow, Canada got a rare glimpse behind the iron curtain as the team, as well as three thousand raucous fans, arrived in the USSR. Amid the culture shock and strained relations, what followed was a tug-of-war battle that lasted to the dying seconds of game 8.
Now, five decades after this historic event, it's time to reflect on the greatest hockey series ever played. Veteran journalist and hockey analyst Scott Morrison uses a storyteller's voice to reveal what it meant to hockey then, and what it means now. Filled with the memories of the players and others involved with the series, he shows how it changed the game, and challenged a nation's sense of identity and place in the world.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 3, 2022 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781982154318
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781982154318
- File size: 127033 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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April 1, 2022
Before professional hockey players were allowed to compete in the Olympics, the Canadians were regularly bested in international competition by their Russian counterparts. By 1968, it was enough of a national concern that it became an issue in the federal election. This was also a time of internal discord for Canada. What better way to bring the country together and repair Canada's hockey reputation than a chance for the best players from both countries to compete for the ultimate bragging rights? Morrison (100 Years, 100 Moments: A Centennial of NHL Hockey) recounts the story of that contest--the Summit Series. With chapters covering each game in detail and the events and drama in between, as well as several dedicated to its creation, organization, and aftermath, Morrison provides a comprehensive view of this epic battle between hockey's superpowers. Though numerous books about the Summit Series exist already, including Ken Dryden's The Series and Morrison's own The Days Canada Stood Still, it is a touchstone part of hockey history that fans never tire of reading about. VERDICT An entertaining read that will appeal to hockey fans and readers interested in the intersection of sports and politics.--Sara Holder
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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April 15, 2022
Canadian hockey writer and historian Morrison takes readers behind the scenes of what might be the most important series ever played: the 1972 Summit Series between Canada's best NHL players and the superstars of the Soviet Union. Canada won the series, but that's only part of the story. Both countries claimed to be the epicenter of the sport, and, with the series taking place during the Cold War, it was a sporting event with definite historical ramifications. Morrison explains the backstory both to hockey fans familiar with the series and to general readers whose knowledge of the sport is rudimentary. He takes us through the planning, the arduous negotiations between the two countries, the series itself, and the aftermath: the series' impact not just on professional hockey (which was massive), but also on the political climate of the 1970s and beyond. Morrison is a fine writer, too: even though we know how the games turned out, we still feel genuine suspense and excitement as we read about what happened. A most welcome addition to international hockey history.COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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