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PRESS ROOM 1974: Game 1
SOVETSKY SPORT DAILY
by Vladimir Dvortsov
September 1974
Quebec City
For the second Summit Series versus Canadian professionals,
the newly appointed head coach of Team USSR, Boris
Kulagin selected 27 candidates, including 17 players
that took part in the Summit Series 1972.
Canadians made their choice on experienced players
that went through the NHL battles and now became
a centerpiece of the WHA - goaltender Cheevers,
players Tremblay, Stapleton, F. Mahovlich, Gordie
Howe, Bobby Hull, famous Henderson and many others.
The first game was played in Quebec City. It was
sold out. There was a $2 per ticket lottery just
to buy a ticket to the USSR vs. Canada game. Out
of 2 million lottery participants, only 15,000 lucky
fans were actually able to get to the game.
Being much older than our team, Team Canada had
an extensive preparation for the Series.
"I knew that Kulagin was watching our practice.
So, I asked the guys not to practice too hard. After
that, in the locker room, I thanked them because
even their half-strength practice looked very impressive,"
said Bill Harris, Team Canada 1974 head coach.
"It was a hell of a practice. I feel exhausted",
adds Bobby Hull with a smile.
The WHA pros had an outstanding first game of the
Series. Our team barely managed to tie the game
at 3-3.
McKenzie scored the first goal. Defenseman Lutchenko
tied the game in the second period. When Vasiliev
was serving a penalty, Hull used his powerful slapshot
to scored a power play goal. Kharlamov and, then,
Petrov score powerplay goals.
Kharlamov scored a beautiful goal. He ran away
from two forwards, beat two defensemen and, then,
the goaltender. Canadian media called it "a
gourmet goal". It was broadcast several times
on TV.
Canadians fought up to the final buzzer of the
game. With five minutes left, Hull scored his second
goal.
Team Canada 1972 goalie, Ken Dryden made a joke
in his TV appearance:
"What a surprise – Canada can play well
against the Soviets."
Vladimir Petrov's pre-Series joke that "there
won't be a need to score a lot of goals" became
unexpectedly true.
But the biggest disappointment was waiting for
our team in Toronto
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