Hockey Kazi

Friday, September 28, 2012

And in the end--Henderson has scored for Canada

We now bring you to the thrilling conclusion of

1992 Future Trends Team Canada

# 91 Dionne

Marcel Dionne had just come off of his rookie season in the National Hockey League as the 1972 Team Canada training camp began, and many, including himself, were surprised by his inclusion on Team Canada '72.

Dionne never did make an appearance in the tournament, but he quietly enjoyed his time.

# 92 Lapointe

Guy Lapointe was one of the young defensemen on Team Canada that ended up impressing everyone tremendously.

Lapointe almost declined his invitation to Team Canada. His first wife was due to give birth to their first child that September. But Guy did go and just missed the birth of his son.

# 93 Johnston

With Gerry Cheevers not getting an invite to Team Canada because of his jump to the World Hockey Association, Eddie Johnston was the third goalie on the team.

# 94 Sinden

Sinden was one of the few who knew the job would not be easy. While the media was predicting an 8 game Canadian sweep, Sinden was cautious in his optimism. He would always deflect premature praise for his team. He knew his opponents were stronger than his players and his nation was giving them credit for, but it wouldn't be until after the shocking loss in game one that he would get their full attention.

# 95 Park

Park, who was 24 years old in 1972, credits playing in the tournament as making him a better player as he embarked upon his Hall of Fame career. Playing and practicing with so many great NHL stars at the time, plus incorporating a few tricks from the new school Soviet game plan helped Park tremendously

# 96 T.Esposito

Tony Esposito was supposed to be the backup in this tournament. It is certainly arguable that "Tony O" was better than Ken Dryden.

The Canadian coaching staff must have debated long and hard about their goaltending situation for game 8. Ultimately they went with the man who was supposed to be the number one guy as Ken Dryden got the nod. Dryden won the game.

# 97 Yakushev

The Big Yak, Alexander Yakushev, was the Soviets leading scorer and only trailed Phil Esposito by one point in the overall scoring lead. His 7 goals tied him with Espo and Paul Henderson for the lead. Four times he was named as the Soviet's game MVP. A giant, stone-faced left winger, Yakushev thrived in the slot and was to Team Russia as Phil Esposito was to Team Canada.

# 98 Henderson

# 98 HERO

What more can be said about Paul Henderson's heroics that has not been said time and time again?

He scored the game winning goals in game 6, game 7 and of course game 8. And he will be forever immortalized in hockey history as he scored on what is arguably the greatest hockey moment ever.

# 99 Parise

Parise claims his favorite part of the series was being able to play in that historic eighth game where Paul Henderson scored the most famous goal in hockey history. Of course Parise didn't get to finish that game. He was ejected from the game when he came perilously close to deliberately injuring incompetent referee Josef Kompalla.
"He gave me a penalty and I broke my stick on the ice and then faked a swing at him. I never planned to hit him. I just wanted to show him we'd had enough," said Parise.

# 100 V. Kharlamov 1948-1981

He won 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 8 World Championships with the USSR National team and numerous USSR league championships with Moscow Central Red Army.

Valeri Kharlamov awed Canadian audiences. His slick foot and stick work and amazing speed and shot accuracy places him as perhaps the single most talented player in the entire tournament. It is arguable that Kharlamov was as talented as Gretzky or Lemieux. Kharlamov was
also feisty, leading the Soviets in penalty minutes with 16.

# 101 Checklist

Checklist (unmarked)

And what would this be without the version francaise.

Numero 1 Au Commencement

Numero 30 Les Freres

Numero 101 Liste des cartes

40 years ago today. This was the big news in the hockey world. Lockout was when you forgot your keys. Or came home late and slept on the couch. I guess we've all done both.

The entire team was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto last Saturday and will have a gala dinner at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel tonight.

Da da Canada

Friday, September 21, 2012

Toronto Maple Leafs thank me

So received this e-mail from my favourite team. It's even personalized to me. Gee, it says my passion for the game motivates them. I would have thought my passion would have motivated them a bit more the last FEW?? years. I wonder if any of the other teams are doing the same. Just asking.

Dear AL,

On behalf of the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club, we sincerely appreciate your patience as the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey Leagues Players' Association (NHLPA) negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

On Wednesday, The National Hockey League announced the cancellation of the 2012 preseason schedule through Sept. 30. The cancellation of the schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL. The NHL remains committed to negotiating 24/7 to reach an agreement that is fair to both sides -- one that provides for a full season of games for our fans.

While the Maple Leafs efforts in creating a world-class experience for our fans are on hold, our commitment to our community remains as strong as ever. The Maple Leafs organization will continue our charitable outreach efforts and community initiatives as the NHL and NHLPA work through the process of securing a new collective agreement.
As a valued fan and member of Leafs Nation, your loyalty and support is very important to our organization. Your passion for the game is what motivates us. Thank you again for your understanding. We greatly appreciate your support. In the meantime, we will keep you informed and provide information as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Tom Anselmi
President and C.O.O.
Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment

Sunday, September 16, 2012

NHL Lockout 2012/ 72 Summit Series continuation

Anniversary contest at The Cardboard and Me

http://jblarghcards.blogspot.ca/2012/09/anniversary-contest.html

NHLStatement

Despite the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League has been, and remains, committed to negotiating around the clock to reach a new CBA that is fair to the Players and to the 30 NHL teams.

Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum. While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League's economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players -- as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players' Association seven years ago. Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation -- not through rhetoric.

This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans.

The NHLPA released a video that featured Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, David Backes, noted union man Gabriel Landeskog and others rhapsodizing about their love of the game and their sympathy for NHL fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCW0VsfR9FM&feature=youtu.be

# 81 The Moment

Here's a shot. Henderson makes a wild stab for it and falls," Foster Hewitt breathlessly described. "Here's another shot. Right in front. They Score!! Henderson has scored for Canada!"

# 82 Cournoyer

Yvan Cournoyer - nicknamed "The Roadrunner" for good reason - used his blazing speed to keep up with and even beat the Soviets on many rushes. His goal in game two where he blew past a Soviet rearguard like he was a practice pylon was a perfect example of that.

# 83 Liapkin

He was the defenseman on the ice who failed to clear Paul Henderson out of the slot when he scored "The Goal Heard Around The World"

# 84 Esposito

Almost every member of Team Canada would be quick to point out that Espo - their undisputed leader - was the real hero of the series.

# 85 Dryden

Dryden's book, Face-Off At The Summit - a 1973 book published by Little Brown - is an interesting look at the series through the eyes of one of the key competitors.

# 86 Peace

Peace sign probably better than Eagleson's earlier finger salute.

#87 Bergman

With Bobby Orr and Jacques Laperriere injured and Dallas Smith declining for personal reasons, the 33 year old Kenora, Ontario, native played perhaps the 8 greatest games of his life!.

# 88 Glennie

"I believe the series made me a much better hockey player. Even though i didn't play against the Russians - I played against the Swedes and Czechs - I practiced with the best players in the National Hockey League for that entire period of time"

# 89 Hull

Dennis' initial reaction was not to attend Team Canada to show support for his brother Bobby in the controversial dispute he had going. But Bobby convinced Dennis that he should take this opportunity.

# 90 Anisin

Anisin was the key player on the Soviets "Kid Line" that shocked Team Canada in game three.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Team Canada 72

I was discussing the NHL lock out situation at work the other day with one of my co-workers. He had been talking to the father of a young NHL star. Apparently, the players are ready to sit out and seems like the new year before the season starts.

Continuing the showing of the cards in this 1992 set.

# 70 Series Stars

P. Esposito/Yakushev

# 71 Series Stars

Henderson/Tretiak

# 72 No Solitudes/The Telegrams

The Canadian flag and the fleur-de-lis, side by side

# 73 2-2/3-3

The score see saws back and forth.

# 74 Rod Gilbert

Gilbert was one of several big names to represent Canada in the nation's return to the world championships in 1977. The team would only finish fourth, however.

# 75 Yevgeny Mishakov

He and Rod Gilbert got in the tournament's only fight. In fact Mishakov, who had little choice but to drop the gloves when the usually mild-mannered Rod Gilbert began pummelling him, was recognized for sending a message to Canada by fighting back.

# 76 Ron Ellis

Ellis is director of public affairs for the Hockey Hall of Fame .

# 77 5-4/5-5

The battle continues.

# 78 Different Games/Interlude

After the Cournoyer goal to tie it 5-5, the goal judge refused to put the goal light on despite the fact that it was signalled a goal on the ice. In response, Alan Eagleson (seated across the ice from the Team Canada bench) attempted to reach the timer's bench to protest, causing a ruckus in the crowd as he made his way to the timer's bench. As he was being subdued by the Soviet police, the Canadian players headed over and Peter Mahovlich jumped over the boards to confront police with his stick. Eagleson was freed and the coaches escorted him across the ice to the bench. In anger, he shoved his fist to the Soviet crowd, as a few other Canadian supporters also gave the finger to the Soviets.

# 79 Bill Goldsworthy

Bill Goldsworthy died in 1996 of complications from AIDS, the first professional hockey player publicly known to have the disease. He was diagnosed in November 1994, and told the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 1995 that his health problems stemmed from drinking and promiscuity

# 80 The Huddle/ 1:30 to go

Sinden noticed that the Soviets had changed their style, playing defence to protect the lead, rather than pressing. The Soviets were willing to accept the tie and win the series on goal differential. But Canada was going all out for the win.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

It was 40 years ago today

before 18,818 fans at the Montreal Forum, the Summit Series began. I suppose it's appropriate for me to continue on highlighting the 92 Future Trends card set commemorating this event.

Paul Henderson will be celebrating from his home, not with his former teammates.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/henderson-marking-summit-series-anniversary-from-home-1.939877

# 57 Clarke

"Team Canada '72 is right at the very top of my hockey life. I always considered winning the Stanley Cup more important, but certainly, they're close to being equal"

# 58 Kharlamov

On August 27, 1981 he died from injuries that occurred as a result of a terrible car crash as he and his wife were returning from a summer's vacation.

# 59 Volchkov

"I remember feeling that whenever I was on the ice, i was being hit by Phil Esposito or Gary Bergman. I don't remember any free time with the puck"

# 60 Standing Guard

Let the games begin.

# 61 Mikita

Mikita was born Stanislas Gvoth in Sokolce, Czechoslovakia, on May 20, 1940. To give their middle child a better life away from the Communists, his parents allowed him to be adopted by a childless aunt and uncle, Joe and Anna Mikita,