Paul Henderson's 1972 Summit Series

When Paul Henderson scored the final goal for team Canada, every Canadian who was old enough to remember felt the joy and relief that was upon every Canadian who watched that game. Paul Henderson was one of the 38 players of the Canadian team that played against the Soviet Union in the series. The first four games were played across Canada and finishing up the series with the last four games in Russia. Canada wins the emotional series with four wins, three losses, and one tie. The 1972 Summit Series changed the face of hockey from how the players were trained, the level of emotion in the fans and players, and the skill of each player.

The series showed each country how different our cultures can be, but also the view of hockey as well. One

of the best representations that show the differences between each country was how each nation got ready in training camps. The Russians train like hockey players today, 12 months a year. In the summer time the soviet team only had a couple of weeks off from fitness and weight training. The soviet where meticulous with what they did. The coaches had individual sessions on the ice to work on their weaknesses as well having in class theory about nutrition and hockey theory. The Canadians where on the opposite of the Russians. When off season came it was like “ Party Time” for the Canadians players. Players where fishing, golfing, drinking and many things more, but the one thing no Canadian hockey player did was train in off season.Training camp was almost like rehab for the players, to get back in shape before the season started. It seemed like we where more inserted on the friendships they made then the actually game, which brings emotion into play.
If you were a Canadian you were taken on an emotional roller-coaster when watching the series. The fans has experienced many highs and lows. When the reality check came when team Canada 7-3 loss in the first game,they needed to step up there game. Then the much anticipated game where which Canada would seek revenge on the the Russians in game two. It happened for the Canadian team, all the hockey gods alleged for a picture perfect 4-1 win. Some players had such an emotional bond, by the end of the series the players were not playing for their country but for there teammates. After Canada won game eight to win the series in Russia the team went into the change room to celebrate. Dennis Hull asked Yvan Cournoyer “ is this like the stately cup” in reply Cournoyer said “this is ten times better than the stately cup.” Dennis hull had never won the stately cup but Cournoyer won it 10 times. Dennis said that he never won the stately but if felt like that he won the stately cup ten times playing for team Canada in the series, while being interviewed for a twenty fifth anniversary documentary. These comments that were made by the players and fans showed that this series was more than a game for Canada, it was to show who is the hockey power house in the world. Now that Canada is the hockey power house, Canada developed their skills thanks to the Russians.