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Post by hockeynomad on May 22, 2004 7:46:09 GMT -5
I nominate the Canada Cup version of Team Canada as best Canadian team ever assembled.
First you had the greatest player ever, number 4 Bobby Orr,
at the very end of his career and what was left of his knee, dominate the tournament. A good blend of old with new:
Old: Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, Brad Park New: Gilbert Perreault, Guy Lafleur, Dennis Potvin, Larry Robinson.
Eight Montreal Canadiens on roster.
11-2 beating of Finland.
6-0 defeat of 1976 World Hockey Championships gold medalists and perhaps the best ever team of Czechoslovakia.
Great goaltending of Rogatien Vachon.
Any objections to my pick?
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rockies
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Post by rockies on May 23, 2004 0:24:20 GMT -5
It is difficult to say which team is the best in 1976 or 1987 because in 1976 Soviet Union did not send all their best players. Personally I like the team in 1987 and still think the final series was the best hockey I have ever seen in international hockey.
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Post by Jazz on May 23, 2004 3:36:58 GMT -5
I unfortunately was only 2 when the 1976 Canada Cup took place, so I have no frame of reference.
the 1987 Canada Cup Finals - all 3 games - between the USSR and Canada were by far the best hockey games I've ever seen. I wonder if anyone has copies of those games?
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Post by hockeynomad on May 23, 2004 8:21:00 GMT -5
I unfortunately was only 2 when the 1976 Canada Cup took place, so I have no frame of reference. the 1987 Canada Cup Finals - all 3 games - between the USSR and Canada were by far the best hockey games I've ever seen. I wonder if anyone has copies of those games? I agree that the 1987 Canada Cup last three games were best quality hockey I've ever seen, particularly second last. But best Canadian team was still 1976, and yes the Soviets were without 6 top players, but you notice I didn't mention them, but the Czechoslovaks who at the same time had about their best ever team. They won 76, and 77 World Championships unheard of in those days with the powerful Soviets. Team Canada beat them 6-0! after losing to Czechoslovaks 1-0 in roundrobin. Incidently, the 87 Canada Cup I made a VHS recording of final game, so if you are interested in a copy we can arrange something. |
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rockies
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Post by rockies on May 23, 2004 18:52:09 GMT -5
Interestingly, not much mention to Team Canada in 1981, a great line-up of all stars (mainly Montreal Canadians and NY Islanders) that lost 8-1 to Soviet Union when Mike Liut had a bad day, or should I say nightmare, in the final. After that, the final was changed to the best of three. Otherwise, Soviet Union would win Canada Cup 1987 and Canada won the World Cup in 1996 with single game final format.
I am looking for the tape of the Canada Cup 1984 semi-final when Team Canada defeated Soviet Union in overtime in Calgary when Mike Bossy deflected Paul Coffey's shot. There were tension in Team Canada camp between NY Islanders and Edmonton Oilers groups and the team struggled until they united for the common cause to revenge the terrible loss in 1981.
Another great international hockey game. It would be nice if they can make all those great international games on DVD one day.
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rockies
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Post by rockies on May 23, 2004 20:00:12 GMT -5
I came to Canada in 1983 so I did not know anything about hockey before that except reading a book about hockey with Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and the great Montreal Canadians in the 1970s.
Anyway, doing some more research, I think you might be right. Team Canada '76 was arguably the strongest line-up any nation has ever iced, with 16 out of 21 players were future Hall of Famers. The tournement was remembered as Orr's last moment of glory and the only chance to play against the Soviets for his country. The Soviets was upset at the World Champs '76 in Poland, losing to the lowly Poland, Sweden and Czechoslovakia but still got the silver. And according to Tretiak, the Soviets did not send the best line-up due to a power struggle in coaching, signaling the rise of Tikhonov in the Soviet national team.
The Czechoslovakia-Canada 1-0 game in Montreal was rated as one of the all-time international classics, a duel between vachon and Dzurilla. Wish it will be on DVD one day.
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Post by Skratch on May 27, 2004 7:57:07 GMT -5
That's right, the best Canadian team was back in 1976.
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Post by rockies on May 28, 2004 19:07:48 GMT -5
Interestingly, The Hockey News magazine named Team Canada in Canada Cup 1987 as "Team of the Century". I think Team Canada's performance in the Canada Cup 1987 final series against the Soviet Union is Team Canada's best performance ever in international competition.
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Post by hockeynomad on May 29, 2004 7:03:56 GMT -5
Interestingly, The Hockey News magazine named Team Canada in Canada Cup 1987 as "Team of the Century". I think Team Canada's performance in the Canada Cup 1987 final series against the Soviet Union is Team Canada's best performance ever in international competition. I agree that was the best hockey played. But in 76 Canadian team was never reallly pushed, 11-2 against Finland, 6-0 against Czechoslovaks and Soviets again left behind six best players. |
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