Session 2 Online Only is Now Open - Ends June 21st (Lots 44-95)

Lot #92:

Program – 1972 Series – Canada v. USSR

This program was returned from Russia by Dr. Charls Bull. It was part of his personal collection. The program is in good condition with some fraying of the bottom of the pages but inside the pages are nice and clean and crisp. Vibrant photos of game action from Russia adorn the pages with Bobby Clarke, Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito, Frank Mahovlich standing most prominent for Team Canada. This was an epic battle and one the Candians did not think would pose a challenge to them. After all they were the best players in the world, or so they thought. Hard fought games with tempers boiling over marked the series with home referring coming into play in the foreign territory. This program is now 52 years old, but these memories are fresh in all Canadian's minds who were around to see those games. Grab this memory for your collection as this one was in the hands of the team Doctor in Russia. The series was played during the Cold War, and intense feelings of nationalism were aroused in fans in both Canada and the Soviet Union and players on the ice. The games introduced several talented Soviet players to North America, such as Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Alexander Yakushev, ValeriKharlomov and goaltender ladeslav Tretiak. Team Canada, the first NHL and professional all-star team formed for international play, was led by Phil Esposito, who led the series in scoring, as well as contributing in other roles. The Canadian line of Bobby Clarke, Ron Ellis and Henderson, which was not expected to start for the team, as none were yet stars, played a surprisingly large role in the Canadian victory, with Henderson scoring the game-winning goal in each of the final three games. The series was filled with controversy, including disputes over officiating, and dirty play on the part of both teams highlighted by the deliberate slash of Kharlamov by Clarke in game six. There was also the exclusion of top Canadian player Bobby Hull, the second leading goal scorer in the NHL the previous season and who had led the league in goal scoring seven times, because he had signed a contract to play in the new World Hockey Association. A knee injury forced superstar defenceman Bobby Orr, the second leading point scorer in the league the previous season and scoring champion two years prior, to sit out.