The Summit in 1974
1974

 

PRESS ROOM 1974: Czechoslovakia vs. Team Canada

 Canadian Press (Canada)

So Much For Europe; Czechs Cancel TC 3-1
By John Short (CP)
October 8, 1974
Prague, Czechoslovakia

The Czechoslovak national team scored two goals in the first period Tuesday night and coasted to a 3-1 victory over Team Canada ’74 in the Canadian team’s final appearance in Europe.

The game ended with Andre Lacroix of Canada in the penalty box for spearing. It was an unnecessary penalty because Canada had no chance to win the game.

The Czechs had been together less than a week to prepare for this match.

A crowd of 14,000 cheered as Jiri Bubla and Ivan Hlinka scored in the first period.

Julius Haas completed the scoring early in the 3rd period. The only Canadian goal went to Tom Webster with Bobby Hull assisting at 16:40 of the second period.

The Canadian team, to arrive today in Toronto after more than two weeks in Europe, was stale following its’ unsuccessful series with the Soviet Union. The Soviets defeated Canada 4-1 with three games tied in an eight-game series that ended Sunday in Moscow.

Coach Billy Harris rested defenceman Rick Smith and did not use centers Mike Walton and Jim Harrison.

Eight minor penalties were called, four to each team.

Although Webster’s goal gave Canada a brief lift in the second period, Haas erased the momentum with his goal, set up by Eduard Novak. Haas deflected a goal-mouth pass after he had skated away from the Canadian defenders.

All Czech goals were scored against the forward line of Rejean Houle, Serge Bernier and Marc Tardif, who played well as a unit against the Soviets.

Before the series with the Russians, the Canadian team beat Finland 8-3 and Sweden 4-3.

The Czechs dominated the first 30 minutes and led 2-0. Starting Canadian goal-tender Don McLeod was replaced by Gilles Gratton at 15:15 of the second period.

Bubla opened scoring from the crease, converting a pass from Hlinka at 4:07, more than two minutes before the Canadians got their first shot at goalie Jiri Holecek.

At 9:55, Hlinka fired a screened shot from the right side on which McLeod had no chance.

Holecek was replaced in the first period by Jiri Orha when he was nicked over the eye by a high stick as a penalty was being called against Czech defenceman Vladimir Kostka.

 

 

 

The Summit in 1974