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What was a defining moment in Canadian Sports in the twentieth century?

“‘They score! Henderson has scored for Canada!’” Foster Hewitt wordlessly described” (Pelletier) when Paul Henderson scored the series-winning goal. This allowed Canada to win the 1972 Summit Series, a moment that no one would ever forget since it all happened during the climax of the Cold War. Prior to this, the Soviets had won the previous three Olympic gold metals since Canada could not use its NHL players. Thus, this provided Canada with the chance to play hockey against the USSR using its best players. This raised the question: if Canada were able to send its best players, would it still be enough to beat the Soviets? Everyone in Canada was certain that the Soviets would not win a single game, but little did they know they underestimated the extent of the Soviets abilities. Tied in the last few minutes of game eight, Canada had to score or they would lose the series. However, when Paul Henderson scored the game-winning goal, never before had a single sporting event meant so much to Canadians. Therefore, Paul Henderson’s goal is a defining moment for Canada in the twentieth century becauseit provided Canada with the opportunity to evolve hockey, proved that Canada and our democratic society were superior to the USSR and their communist society, and brought citizens together to unify Canada as a nation.

To begin with, Henderson’s game-winning goal shaped modern hockey. Specifically, Canada was under the assumption that they were going to beat the USSR easily, but that all changed when they realized the Soviets could actually play well. It brought both teams together and the Russian influence on the NHL began with that series (Recsey). As a result of how...

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...eptions on Ice." Globe and Mail [Toronto] 31 Aug 2012, n. pag. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. .

Pelletier, Joe. "Greatest Hockey Legends.com." The Two Faces of the 1972 Summit Series. N.p., 27 Sep 2012. Web. 22 Jan 2014. .

Recsey, David. "Canada Clings to 1972 Summit Series even 30 Years Later." Sports Illustrated. 27 Sept 2002: n. page. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. .

Stellick, Gord. "1972 Summit Series: A battle for Hockey Supremacy." CBC News, 01 Sept 2012. Web. 18 Jan 2014. .

Whitaker, Reg., and Steve Hewitt. Canada and the Cold War. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company, 2003. 192-196. Print.

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