Photo: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
So, just in case you missed it, Canada demolished the Russians last night 7-3 in Men’s Ice Hockey at the Olympic Games. Yes, those Olympic Games that I said I would ignore. Well, I’m still human after all, and perhaps more importantly, still Canadian. Trying to ignore the Men’s Ice Hockey during these Olympics will be like trying to ignore the nose on my face. [Perhaps that's not the best example]
Crushing Russia is a cultural compulsion, particularly after the 72 Summit Series, a moment that arguably defined a generation of Canadians. Well, at least that’s what I’ve been told, having been born in 1974. My “72 series” was in 2002, when we defeated the Americans to win the gold medal. I remember precisely where I was that day. Shoeless Joes on Queen Street near Atlantic Avenue, in southwest Toronto. Joe Sakic scored the killing blow.
The Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda has a full page article today, in Russian, trying to figure out what went wrong, both in the hockey game, and in the Olympics in general. A translated poll can be found at Macleans magazine, in which the majority of respondents blame a poor showing at the Olympics in general. The second largest response credits Canada for playing a good game.
This demolition comes mere days after the Russian Pravda ran an article in their English section stating that Vancouver is “not fit” to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Far from being a question of sour grapes, Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey writes, Russians had been grumbling before a Russkie foot was set on Canadian soil. And due to our massive “inferiority complex” with the United States, cruelty shown by our soldiers in international conflicts, and Arctic ambitions, that’s why we as a nation are so “cowardly”.
Whoa now. Hold on there, comrade Bancroft-Hinchey. Speaking of cowards, guess who’s not coming to dinner after all? Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has cancelled his visit to Vancouver to attend the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics on Sunday evening, despite the fact the country is hosting the next Olympic Games. No official reason was given, but my guess is that it has something to do with the numbers 7 and 3. Brought to you by the letters c, a, n, and d.
Regarding Bancroft-Hinchey’s article titled “Vancouver: Mutton dressed as lamb”
“that Vancouver is mutton dressed as lamb. Take off the outer veneer and the stench is horrific.”
That’s funny. Business Week rates Vancouver as the 4th best city in the world to live in (out of 32 ranked). Russian cities in the top 32 – niet, nada, kaputski, zippo.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/04/0428_best_places_to_live/
Mutton dressed as lamb indeed.
The 1972 Summit Series will never be surpassed for drama and excitement. I saw all the games on TV, and at the time was a died in the wool Montreal Canadiens fan who believed the Russians were in for the thrashing of their lives.
Like everyone else in Canada, I was in a state of shock when the Soviets beat Canada in the opening game, and it didn’t get any better as they crossed the Country, winning,losing, and tieing a team we’d been assured was no better than an AHL team.
Canada did finally win the series,but were outscored by one goal overall, and I was left contemplating Kharlamov in a Canadiens uniform. If only!
At a notorious site called “Mitchieville”, I predicted the Russians would thump our previously lacklustre team, 5-3, and I watched in absolute delight as the first period unfolded, and the Russians folded!
I’ve been officially fired as Resident Psychic and am now doubly unemployed.
Wonder if I can get an “Arts” grant?
Kharlamov would definitely have been a legend in the NHL. I think that the KLM line would also have been in the top 20 all-time scoring if they were in the NHL earlier. Sergei Makarov was outscoring his contemporaries by 20-30 points a season in the Russian Elite League for 10 years.
I was listening to a comentator on the radio the day after the game with Russia. I forget who but he was a former player (Rod Seiling possibly) from that series. He was astonished at the difference in speed between this game and the 1972 series.