Hockey rivalry
The Russians are coming
By STEVE BUFFERY, TORONTO SUN
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Mario Lemieux flips a pass up the middle during a World Cup of Hockey practice in Ottawa August 22, 2004. (SUN/Jason Ransom) |
The Big Red Machine is no more, gone the way of the dodo bird and of the bank branch with human beings who answer the phone. Still, whenever Canada and Russia face off in hockey, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation, and tonight's World Cup matchup at the Air Canada Centre is no different.
"All the time if Russia plays against Canada, it's special because Canadian people remember 1972, 1981 and 1987," said Soviet goaltending great Vladislav Tretiak, whose legend was forged during the 1972 Summit Series.
"I can't wait for (tonight's) game because for me it's a big holiday."
The round-robin matchup is intriguing for a variety of reasons, including the fact the two hockey powers haven't faced off since the 1996 World Cup.
To everyone's surprise, including the man himself, it was 17 long years ago when Mario Lemieux scored the winning goal for Canada to defeat the Big Red Machine in the final game at the 1987 Canada Cup.
Lemieux, who led Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and is the captain of this year's World Cup squad, never got another crack at the Russians.
Until now.
"It just happened that in '96 I was retired, watching the games from Florida. And for (the '91 Canada Cup), I was hurt with my back," Lemieux said, following the Canadian team practice yesterday.
"So it's nice to be back and have a chance again."
Canada (2-0) and Russia (1-0) are undefeated in round-robin play at the World Cup, and while it's no surprise the Lemieux-led Canadians have been a dominant force, the Russian team turned a few heads with a impressive 3-1 win over the U.S. Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn.
The players in the visiting dressing room are out to prove that Russian hockey is alive and well, and a game against Canada is still something special.
"There's a lot of history between the two countries," defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky said.
"Every time Canada-Russia meet internationally, it's very interesting matchup. Guys take it very seriously and I have a lot of pride."
Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk are teammates with the Atlanta Thrashers and two of hockey's bright young stars. Tonight, they will face off against each other and both appreciate the tradition that goes into Canada-Russia hockey.
"We've grown up watching it, hearing about it," Heatley said. "Every highlight that you see from Canadian international hockey includes Russia. We're well aware of that."
Toronto hasn't been host to a Canada-Russia game at this level since the 1976 Canada Cup, when the home side defeated the Soviets 3-1.
Canada has never lost in Toronto in Canada/World Cup history, carrying a 6-0-1 record into tonight's game, which comes 32 years to the day the Canadians beat the Soviet Union 4-1 at Maple Leaf Gardens in the Summit Series.
