1972 Canada-Soviet Union Summit Series Quiz

Answer: 30 seconds

Canada figured that this series would be an easy win for them, considering that they were all N.H.L. players, while the Soviets were not. It looked as if Canada's predictions were correct. Right off the opening face-off, Canada took the puck into the Soviet zone, Phil Esposito got the puck, and fired the puck past Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak.

It wasn't long before Canada took a 2-0 lead, scoring another goals six minutes later, but the worst was still to come for Canada.

Answer: Alexander Yakushev

Alexander Yakushev scored 7 goals and tallied 4 assists for 11 points. As this was the most points for his team, he finished 2nd in scoring out of both teams. Phil Esposito of the Canadian team scored 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points. Esposito lead the whole series in total points.

Answer: He hadn't fully recovered from his knee surgery

Bobby Orr was always known for being able to skate with the puck end-to-end, untouched by his opponents. But on occasions he would get into knee-on-knee collisions with his opponents. He needed surgery on his right knee after a knee-on-knee collision in the 1971-72 season. His knee wasn't ready to play by the time the series started.

Answer: Winnipeg, Manitoba

This 8 game series was scheduled to have the first 4 games played in Canada, the final four in the Soviet Union. The third one was played in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The rest of the games played in Canada were played in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Answer: They booed them off the ice

Going to Russia with only 1 win, 2 losses, and one tie, the Canadian fans were very angry, being that they were all pro hockey players, and the Soviets were all amateur players. After being booed off the ice, Canada's captain Phil Esposito was interviewed.

When asked how he felt about the reactions of the fans to their playing, he said that the Soviets were a good team, that both teams were playing their best, and the Soviets were just getting all the luck. He also promised that they would do better in the second part of the series in Soviet Union.

Answer: He cut his tongue during a game in Sweden and needed 50 stitches, causing him to him miss the final four games

During a two week series break, the Canadian team went to Sweden to play two games against the Swedish national team, winning the first one 4-1, and tying the second one 4-4. The second game also included an outburst by both teams. Canadian forward Wayne Cashman had his tongue cut very badly in a fight. After getting 50 stitches, he was unable to play the rest of the series in Moscow.

Answer: 2nd period

During the second period of game six, Canadian assistant coach John Ferguson, called Canadian forward Bobby Clarke to the bench and said: "I think Kharlamov needs a tap on the ankle". That period, Clarke fractured Kharlamov's ankle by slashing him hard with his stick. Kharlamov played the rest of the game, but missed game seven. He played in game eight, but was very inaffective.

Answer: Vladislav Tretiak

Vladislav Tretaik played outstanding for the Soviet team during this series. He shut down the Canadian team for most of this series. At just 20 years old, he played well beyond the expectations of a 20 year old goaltender. The rest of the players mentioned in the question were Soviet defensemen.

Answer: 34 seconds

Paul Henderson was left all alone in front of the Soviet goal without a single defenseman covering him. The puck was fired at Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak from the corner, and the rebound came right out to Henderson. He shot he puck, and Tretiak made a pad save, Henderson got the second rebound, and buried the puck in the Soviet goal. With 34 seconds left on the clock, all of Canada stood together to celebrate what commentator Foster Hewitt coined as: "The goal heard all over Canada".

Answer: The Soviets, because they had scored more goals than Canada througout the series

If Paul Henderson hadn't scored that final goal, the scoring totals for the whole series would've been: Soviet Union 31, Canada 30. This would've awarded victory to the Soviets.