Canada / World Cup
Following the success
of the classic 1972 "Summit Series" between Canada and the Soviet Union, the Canada
Cup was born. The tournament, which was hosted in North America and featured all
the top hockey nations, took place prior to the NHL season so all of the top professionals
could participate. The first Canada Cup in 1976 didn't feature the much-anticipated
Canada/Russia rematch. Instead, the Canadians faced off against the Czechoslovakians
with Darryl Sittler scoring the winner. This tournament will be remembered as
the "last hurrah" for injury-riddled superstar Bobby Orr, who was unable to play
during the '72 Series. Orr captured the tournament's MVP award but would never
again perform up to this level. The next Canada Cup was held in 1981 and
saw Canada lose for the only time in the history of the tournament. The Russians
bombed Team Canada 8-1 in the finals; but the loss would be avenged in the 1984
Canada Cup, which the Canadians won. The 1987 Canada Cup featured arguably
the greatest team ever assembled. This Summit Series team was recently voted Canada's
team of the Millennium, though a good case could also be made for the '87 Canada
Cup squad. Obviously, Canada won the '87 tournament in which all three final games
versus the Russians ending in 6-5 scores, with Canada winning two of them.
Ironically, it had been a 6-5 score that decided the famous Summit Series in 1972
as well. In that year, the winning goal at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum paired two
of the hockey's greatest players ever. Team Canada, with the game tied 5-5, managed
to get an odd-man rush in the dying moments with Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky
on the ice. The two legends raced up the ice, Gretzky with the puck while Lemieux
barrelled up the middle and defenseman Larry Murphy drove to the net. The rest,
as they say, is history; Lemieux deposited the puck in the top corner of the Russian
net with just 1:26 remaining on the clock. The final Canada Cup was held
in 1991 and, reflecting the Americans' growing interest in hockey, featured a
Canada/U.S. final that Canada won. In 1996, the Canada Cup was replaced
by a new but similarly structured tournament called the World Cup. The inaugural
World Cup was held in North America, and again featured rosters made up of the
best players in the world. Canada and the States locked horns in the finals, with
the Americans emerging victorious with two late goals in the clinching game. | |
Defenseman
Bobby Orr was named tournament MVP in the '76 Canada Cup, his only chance to play
for Canada during his illustrious career.
© Hockey Hall of Fame
Mark
Messier won Canada Cups in 1984, 1987 and 1991. His international achievements
go along with six Stanley Cup championships.
© Doug MacLellan/Hockey
Hall of Fame
Mario Lemieux scores the most famous goal of his illustrious career in Hamilton's
Copps Coliseum.
© Doug MacLellan/Hockey Hall of Fame
Joel Otto (L) and Vincent Damphousse (R) both have their eyes on the puck.
©
Doug MacLellan/Hockey Hall of Fame
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