TSN to replay the '87 Canada Cup series

[transplant99]

IMO the best international series ever played and game 3 (the final) the single greatest hockey game ever played.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1258382060282150912

[looooob]

great call by TSN and really a series worth watching

[looooob]

as a Flames fan I was of course a little miffed at first (I could be like that) about lack of Flames representation on the team- really of course in terms of Canadian content there weren't too many obvious choices other than Reinhart (who I believe was hurt) and MacInnis who was an early cut (this was the stage of his career where I felt he was already a very good 2 way player but had a reputation of being unidimensional). of course a deep Flames representation on the US team (Badger, Suter, Otto, Mullen) and if you look through the whole series with a Flames lens (not that you should) lots of interesting names such as Gilmour (who was a surprise addition at the time), Makarov, B Sutter, Keenan, Watt, Hrudey, Hrdina, James Patrick etc etc


anyways this 3 game finale is definitely not about the Flames- but mandatory watching

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by looooob

as a Flames fan I was of course a little miffed at first (I could be like that) about lack of Flames representation on the team- really of course in terms of Canadian content there weren't too many obvious choices other than Reinhart (who I believe was hurt) and MacInnis who was an early cut (this was the stage of his career where I felt he was already a very good 2 way player but had a reputation of being unidimensional). of course a deep Flames representation on the US team (Badger, Suter, Otto, Mullen) and if you look through the whole series with a Flames lens (not that you should) lots of interesting names such as Gilmour (who was a surprise addition at the time), Makarov, B Sutter, Keenan, Watt, Hrudey, Hrdina, James Patrick etc etc


anyways this 3 game finale is definitely not about the Flames- but mandatory watching

This.

Particularly for the younger set around who were a long ways from even being a twinkle in their daddys eye.

The combination of skill, toughness and heart displayed in this series will never ever be matched.

Gretzky, Messier, Bourque, Coffey and Lemieux playing together in their prime.

The Soviets were an absolutely stacked squad as well.

Set your DVRs if you cant catch it when it airs.

[Weitz]

Think I will have to watch some of this!

Interesting that only 8,458 people attended the game at the Saddledome against Czechoslovakia.

[CrazyCaper]

The '87 Canada Cup was my first opportunity to see NHLers up close. Was living on Cape Breton Island and Centre 200 hosted a game between Sweden and Finland. The ticket was for my 12th birthday. I still have the program and ticket stub. Was quite a memorable experience. Sweden won 3-1.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Think I will have to watch some of this!

Interesting that only 8,458 people attended the game at the Saddledome against Czechoslovakia.

yes in that era, the in person games, especially not the finals or real marquee games, didn't have the cachet they do now


in the 84 Canada cup the Sweden US semi at northlands played to 5,230 and the Canada / soviet semi (Saddledome) to 13,307 . the finals (Canada-Swe) played to 15,966 in Calgary and 10,449 saw Canada win 2 days later in EDM for example

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by looooob

yes in that era, the in person games, especially not the finals, didn't have the cachet they do now


in the 84 Canada cup the Sweden US semi at northlands played to 5,230 and the Canada / soviet semi to 13,307 . the finals (Canada-Swe) played to 15,966 in Calgary and 10,449 saw Canada win 2 days later in EDM for example

Cool, thanks for this!

[GreenLantern2814]

I remember watching some of this series during the last lockout. Mark Messier committed three fouls that would be 20-game suspensions today in the final of an international event and not so much as a minor penalty.

Simpler times.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I was at the '84 semi against Russia. If it was only 13,000, it was still perhaps the loudest I ever heard the dome when we won it in overtime. Just the best live moment I was fortunate enough to experience with my Dad. Notwithstanding the number of Oilers on that team, it was great.

[transplant99]

Apparently Bobby Mack is a fan as well.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1258747332646121473

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by transplant99

This.



Particularly for the younger set around who were a long ways from even being a twinkle in their daddys eye.



The combination of skill, toughness and heart displayed in this series will never ever be matched.



Gretzky, Messier, Bourque, Coffey and Lemieux playing together in their prime.



The Soviets were an absolutely stacked squad as well.



Set your DVRs if you cant catch it when it airs.

While this is true, compared to today's game NHL hockey in the 1980s was slooooow, and goalies were terrible.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

While this is true, compared to today's game NHL hockey in the 1980s was slooooow, and goalies were terrible.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Slower....sure. It was way harder to skate freely because a simple small whack on a stick wasnt considered slashing or a small tug not hooking. Today they have little to fight through unlike the last several decades. Makes it so much easier to skate quicker. And the pace at which plays were made is no different. Meaning passes and such. Also technological adavancement in gear and training has changed things.

As for goaltending, just look at the difference of the equipment...i mean its not even apples and oranges, its apples and jackfruit. There were plenty of great goaltenders back then but they didnt have the same tools nor were the techniques the same. Todays technique back then would have had the G's getting shelled and/or murdered with the equipment they had. Those old horsehair pads would literally weigh about 30 lbs a piece after the game...and that was staying upright 20X more than nowadays.

One huge advantage for the G position now though is specialized instruction. Just didn't exist much back then.

[Brouhaha]

This was a fun series to watch! I actually recorded game 3 on VHS. I still have the tape here, though no player for it. Some excellent hockey and it was definitely the best hockey played at the time, IMO. I am not going to look it up, but I believe it was Larry Murphy on that rush with Gretzky and Lemieux for that game winner. Sounds like an answer to some sport trivia game. Anyway, brings back some very nice memories.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

While this is true, compared to today's game NHL hockey in the 1980s was slooooow, and goalies were terrible.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

I think the opposite. Today’s game is dreadfully boring to watch. And everyone tries to score the same way. Top shelf corner. Often snoozeville.

The 80s was open and fluid and way less predictable which generated more excitement. Watching some of the classics has reminded me of how good some goalies were at covering so much net with that gear.

Too much hooking and grabbing though. I don’t miss that.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by looooob

great call by TSN and really a series worth watching

Much better than their 'Classic Expos' games where they feature games where the Expos lose and give up historical feats to their opponents.

[albertGQ]

Gretzky peed his pants during game 2 OT

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Much better than their 'Classic Expos' games where they feature games where the Expos lose and give up historical feats to their opponents.

haha how true, although I have enjoyed El Presidente El Perfecto and the 1987 "Tim Raines" game

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by Brouhaha

This was a fun series to watch! I actually recorded game 3 on VHS. I still have the tape here, though no player for it. Some excellent hockey and it was definitely the best hockey played at the time, IMO. I am not going to look it up, but I believe it was Larry Murphy on that rush with Gretzky and Lemieux for that game winner. Sounds like an answer to some sport trivia game. Anyway, brings back some very nice memories.

I think it's been said by almost everyone at the time that "Larry Murphy was never going to get the puck" in that situation. Even Larry said that. It was a no-brainer to get it to Lemieux instead. Fortunately, he buried it.

[dissentowner]

It becomes clear that Glen Anderson was not a great hockey player, great hockey players made him look good.