Greatest (International) Hockey Ever?

[sonoman]

For the whole national experience, political implications, and global context - I agree wholeheartedly.

My original question was geared more towards just the hockey aspect of it, the excitement, drama, etc.

Some things are difficult to separate; in '72 it wasn't just about hockey, but that added to fans' excitement/anticipation and importance of the win. Almost 40 years later, we can't stop talking about it.
I don't want to downplay Canada's win this year, but I doubt it will have lasting historical significance.

 

[Restless]

..........if Ferguson didn't send Clarke out to break Kharlamov's Ankle in game 6 which caused him to miss game 7 and be non-existent in game 8 the out come could have been very much different... Kharlamov was there best player by far, perhaps one of the top 5 all time skilled players...

Good point, but if the Canadians hadn't been foolish enough to leave Bobby Hull off the team due to politics, the entire series may have had a different complection.

I voted for 72 because the entire country was ready to commit mass suicide over a loss to the "Godless Commies". That kind of hysteria can only occur once and never again. When the US tied us in the gold medal game last week everyone I was with went "DAMN" then "OH WELL". A very different atmosphere than 72.

 

[old pooner]

I remember that a few years after the '72 Summit Series, the Russian Red Army team came to Canada to play against NHL teams. The game against Montreal was probably the best game I have ever seen. Only Tretiak kept the Russians in the game. (Damn, the Canadians from that era were absolutely fucking GREAT.)

 

[bcneil]

I think its pretty hard to compare a single game final, with some of these long series.
Really apples and oranges.
Best olympic final was 2010
Best series 87

 

[zaig]

I remember that a few years after the '72 Summit Series, the Russian Red Army team came to Canada to play against NHL teams. The game against Montreal was probably the best game I have ever seen. Only Tretiak kept the Russians in the game. (Damn, the Canadians from that era were absolutely fucking GREAT.)

New Years Eve 1975 Montreal Canadians 3 Soviet Red Army 3 Shots on net Montreal 35 Red Army 13

You bet Tretiak kept them in it.

That year 1976 season was the first of 4 in a row. The 76-77 I still maintain to this day as the single most dominate team ever in the NHL
60 wins only 8 losses and 12 ties. They let the league in scoring and in goals against. They averaged 2.5 goal more than their opposition for the whole season and lost if I remember correctly on 2 or 3 playoff games. I think that there are at least 8 HOFers from that team.

Of course I am a bit slanted towards them as I was born and brought up in Montreal and slept, ate, and drank le rouge, blanc et bleu

 

[squid]

I voted for the '72 series. I remember vividly watching game 7 in the school gym. Our P.E. teacher brought in his 20" black and white ( with the rabbit ears ) and the gym was packed . Everyone skipped class and sat there watching the game. When Henderson scored it is a moment I will never forget.

Zaig, i whole heartedly agree. There's no doubt that the Canadians of 76-77 were the greatest team ever. They had scoring , defense, goaltending, size , speed and coaching.

 

[wolverine]

I voted for 87. Gretzky and Lemieux on the same line was magic. Just imagine if they were both on the same NHL team at the time!

 

[sonoman]

Gretzky and Lemieux on the same line was magic. Just imagine if they were both on the same NHL team at the time!

It couldn't have been any worse than Gretzky and Kurri...

 

[August West]

It couldn't have been any worse than Gretzky and Kurri...

Kurri was no Lemieux

 

[TheSpecialist]

In grade 7 phys. ed. class, I was sitting on a bench as some of my classmates were skating and shooting pucks. One of the guys inadvertently shot his puck too hard and the puck came flying in my direction. It missed hitting me right in the throat by about two inches. The force of the shot was so intense it left a dent in the wall directly behind me.

And you wonder why I don't like hockey?

Ever since that day, I've developed an unmatched intense HATRED for hockey and anything hockey related.

Maybe if you weren't paying attention to what type of shoes your male classmate decided to wear with his wardrobe, maybe you wouldn't be the closet case you are today. Just a thought... Time to man up and grow a pair.

72' Summit Series for me. Happened well before I was born too.

 

[Shakerod]

New Years Eve 1975 Montreal Canadians 3 Soviet Red Army 3 Shots on net Montreal 35 Red Army 13

You bet Tretiak kept them in it.

That year 1976 season was the first of 4 in a row. The 76-77 I still maintain to this day as the single most dominate team ever in the NHL
60 wins only 8 losses and 12 ties. They let the league in scoring and in goals against. They averaged 2.5 goal more than their opposition for the whole season and lost if I remember correctly on 2 or 3 playoff games. I think that there are at least 8 HOFers from that team.

Of course I am a bit slanted towards them as I was born and brought up in Montreal and slept, ate, and drank le rouge, blanc et bleu

I agree. Look at the number of players from that team that went on to be coaches, or GM in the NHL. Lemaire, Gainey, Robinson, Risborough, Savard, Dryden, Mario Tremblay, Houle, Roberts, Jarvis. I was never a Canadien fan, but I had a lot of respect for the way they played the game.

 

[zaig]

I agree. Look at the number of players from that team that went on to be coaches, or GM in the NHL. Lemaire, Gainey, Robinson, Risborough, Savard, Dryden, Mario Tremblay, Houle, Roberts, Jarvis. I was never a Canadien fan, but I had a lot of respect for the way they played the game.

It was a team that lots of fans hated, but was always respected.

I think you forgot Lafleur and Shutt. lol

 

[visiting]

for those that did not watch the games.....

1972 series (8 games)

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December 31, 1975 game in Montreal

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Tretiak was/is well liked in Montreal, they even selected him in the draft one year, and I know he did camps for a few years (in the summers). I think the next clip is another game in Montreal

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[hunsperger]

72 Canada/Russia...

absolute no brainer...

still talked about 40 years later...

2010 Olympic tourney doesn't even belong in the same book...

will be forgotten before the year is over...

most dominant team...

easy...

Les Canadiens 1975-1978...

Serge A. Savard and company...

lost a total of 29 games over 3 seasons...

went 36-6 in the playoffs...

would of averaged 65-70 wins a year if the ridiculous OT/shootout was in effect...

you can take that to the bank...

and you're welcome...

 

[zaig]

hunny, you really are unbelievable. Do you actually believe what you post? To actually state with a straight face that winning a Gold Medal on home soil in overtime will be forgotten before the year is out is even for you, one of the most ridiculous statements regarding hockey I have ever heard. I think before you post next, maybe you should run it by someone else. It may prevent you from looking completely foolish.

But you are correct about the Habs.