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PRESS ROOM 1974: Finland vs. Team
Canada
Dagens Nyheter
(Sweden)
September 27, 1974
Helsinki, Finland
Team Canada 1974 have in the first four games against
the Soviets already shown they're a classy team
(one game won, one lost and two tied). Their European
debut here in Helsinki answered a lot of our questions:
The former coach of the Swedish national team, Billy
Harris has a very good bunch of players at his disposal
that will definitely be worth seeing on Sunday when
they'll play against our (Swedish) national team.
Canada won 8-3 (3-0, 1-1, 4-2) and the sold out
crowd of 7,000 were especially keeping an eye on
the living legend, Gordie Howe, 46 with great interest.
Gordie was only in for three shifts, but what a
three shifts that was ! He assisted together with
his 19-year old son Mark on Ralph Backstrom's 1-0
goal, then Gordie himself elegentally scored to
make it 2-0.
"I still haven't quite adjusted to the time
difference. We just arrived to Europe. But this
was a perfect start to our exhibition", Gordie
Howe said after the game.
He could comment about his efforts after only
one period, because he took off his equipment after
that. After half the game the other superstar, Bobby
"The Golden Jet" Hull, 36 did the same
thing.
Billy Harris explained why they didn't play more:
"Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull are our key players.
We have used them extensively in the four opening
games against the Soviets. That's why I've intended
to use them sparingly during these two exhibition
games games against Finland and Sweden."
Harris went on to add...
"Personally I like what I saw tonight here
in Helsinki. The Finns are no pushovers and they
also had a slight advantage because my guys weren't
totally adjusted yet to the time difference. Now
I believe that we'll see a great game on Sunday
in Gothenburg. There we absolutely can't hold back.
Your team beat this Finnish squad 9-1 a week ago."
Team Canada 1974, who only have players from the
pirate league WHA never had to give 100% against
the Finns. First of all it was obvious that the
home team had an enormous respect for all the superstars
who skated with the maple leaf on their chests, and
secondly the Finns didn't have enough skills to
keep up with the pros.
The Canadians know the elementary base facts in
the type of hockey
that
they play.
They cover up great defensively. There isn't a single
guy on the team
that
don't both fore-
and backcheck intensively. Since they were little
kids they've
learned to
play that way.
It means a lot in a tactical game like this.
From time to time the Canadians eased up a lot, especially
in the
middle
period that ended
in a 1-1 draw, but when when there was any danger
in front of the own
goalie as well as when
the result was 4-3 they showed flashes of brilliance.
This particularly goes for Frank "Big M"
Mahovlich. He finished the
game
in great style.
He scored twice to make it 6-3 and 8-3. It looked
so easy and he did
it
without breaking any sweat.
According to Billy Harris, "Big M" is
in much better shape than he
was in
1972 when he played
for the NHL based team. Something that the Gothenburg
crowd will see
first
hand on Sunday.
In his own way it was the 46-year old Gordie Howe
who stole the show
together with his both
sons Mark (a left wing) and Marty, a 20-year old
defenseman.
The elder Howe assisted on the 1-0 goal and scored
the 2-0 goal
himself.
This wellknown family name figured on the scoresheet
for two more
goals.
Marty assisted on one goal and Mark on two.
What a great old man this fantastic 46-year old
is. Gordie did not
only
pick up a goal and
an assist on the two first goals but he played brilliantly
all the
time.
We can only feel sorry for the Helsinki crowd who
only got to see him
for
less than a period.
"Both Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull are not
supposed to play the entire game against the Swedes
either, but maybe I'll let them play all three periods.
All of the guys should have acclimatized by Sunday
night", Billy Harris said.
As it was said before, the Finns had too much respect.
After only
11.25 of
the 1st period they
were down 0-3 which kind of broke their spirit.
But Team Suomi bounced back in the 2nd period and
the first few
minutes of
the last.
Compared to the team that lost 1-9 to Sweden in
Stockholm a week ago
they
were much stronger
this time. They had brought in a couple of useful
veterans who were
great
additions.
The best Finnish player was the big (6'1"
and 201 Ibs) defenseman
Pekka
Marjamaki who
showed some great fighting spirit. Among the forwards
old welknown
names
like
Harri Linnonmaa, Lauri Mononen and Seppo Ahokainen
played well.
But this was Team Canada's night. It's obvious
that the critics
haven't
exaggerated when they've
said that the 1974 team is equally good or even
better than the 1972
version.
And after watching their attitude towards this exchange
with the
European
teams it's clear that
they mean business.
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