1987
'72 RELIVED
defeats
For Canadian fans who missed the Summit Series in 1972, they were treated to probably the closest reproduction ever in the first Canada Cup final to go all 3 games. The stage was set for this classic encounter earlier that year. At the Winter Carnival in Quebec City, the Soviet National Team played the NHL All-Stars in a two game series entitled "Rendez-Vous '87". The All-Stars took game one 4-3, the Soviets took game two 5-3.
______________________________________________________________________________
GAME ONE
MONTREAL FORUM
MONTREAL, CANADA
USSR 6 - CANADA 5
After all the heart-stopping, last second victories the Canadians had pulled out over the Soviets, it was time to turn the tables. Russia came out on top in overtime and Montreal witnessed yet another Canadian defeat.
______________________________________________________________________________
GAME TWO
COPPS COLISEUM
HAMILTON, CANADA
USSR 5 - CANADA 6
The Canadians were not impressed by the Soviets stealing their style, so Canadian forward Mario Lemieux copywrited their tactic with his own overtime game winner.
______________________________________________________________________________
GAME THREE
COPPS COLISEUM
HAMILTON, CANADA
USSR 5 - CANADA 6
As if the hockey world hadn't had enough of these dramatics, they were instore for yet another classic fininsh. The Canadians fell behind early 3-0 and 4-2. But, by using grit, determination and lots of skill, they rallied in the second period to take a 5-4 lead, which the Soviets would erase in the third period, setting up the last minute heroics. Late in the third period, Canadian Dale Hawerchuk was out to take an important faceoff in his own zone. Hawerchuk won the draw from Valeri Kamensky and tied up the Soviet center. Mario Lemieux got the puck and pushed it ahead to Wayne Gretzky at the blueline. Breaking across center ice with Lemieux and Larry Murphy trailing, Gretzky swooped in on Igor Kravchuk, and goaltender Sergei Mylnikov. Gretzky, who led all tournament scorers, fed a perfect pass back to Lemieux, who led all tournament snipers, at the top of the faceoff circle. "I had lots of time," said Lemieux, "more than a second. The top shelf was open and I just put it there." For the next minute and 26 seconds, Team Canada would kill time by defending their zone, knowing they were seconds away from being crowned winners of, what some have called, the greatest series in hockey history.
"I don't think you'll ever see better hockey than what was played in that series," said Wayne Gretzky. "For me, it was probably the best hockey I've ever played."
______________________________________________________________________________
Final Standings
1: Canada
2: USSR
3: Czechoslovakia
4: Sweden
5: USA
6: Finland
______________________________________________________________________________
Canada Roster
HEAD COACH
Mike Keenan
FORWARDS
Glenn Anderson / Kevin Dineen / Mike Gartner / Doug Gilmour / Wayne Gretzky / Michel Goulet / Dale Hawerchuk / Claude Lemieux / Mario Lemieux / Mark Messier / Brian Propp / Brent Sutter / Rick Tocchet
DEFENSEMEN
Ray Bourque / Paul Coffey / Doug Crossman / Craig Hartsburg / Larry Murphy / James Patrick / Normand Rochefort
GOALTENDERS
Grant Fuhr / Ron Hextall / Kelly Hrudey
______________________________________________________________________________