1972 - THE SUMMIT SERIES, Canada vs. USSR The UNTOLD Story book

1972 SUMMIT SERIES
September 2nd, 1972

GAME #1 in Montreal - USSR 7 at Team Canada 3

Montreal Surprise - Shock AND Awe!

As we look back on the 54th Anniversary of the '72 Series, what defines this game is not the stunningly shocking score, but how it is perhaps the most misunderstood upset in hockey history.

Why is that?

Not for any of the oft-repeated reasons: that the Soviets were in vastly better condition or that Canada was not in shape (contrary to all the evidence of the day). Instead, exclusive to my book The UNTOLD Story, we see in the clearest details that 3 KEY & AVOIDABLE mistakes by Canada's coaching staff were directly responsible for the gut-wrenching result.

1) Their total lack of preparation about the Soviet team's style & what players they needed to be most aware of

2) Despite Rod Seiling's determined efforts to try to convince Sinden it was ESSENTIAL for the team to go with 6 defensemen (3 full pairs), he was ignored

3) and, MOST importantly, Sinden's horrible bench management throughout Gm 1 which saw some players on the ice for about half the game, while others sat unused and cold, and shifts reaching over 2 to almost 3 minutes for a number of Canada skaters!

These all combined to undermine any chance Canada had to win or tie this game and eventually caused their embarrassing demise as can be seen by the exclusive stats provided below.

The end result was that Canada's performance was self-inflicted and entirely avoidable and that Harry Sinden & John Ferguson only had 2 days to try to better prepare the team - something they 'should' and could have been doing over the prior 3 weeks since camp opened.

To their credit, and all of Canada, they were quick learners but still had many hard and painful lessons yet to learn!

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)
'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
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International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) CBC CBC Gem Sportsnet TSN CBC News CTV News Hockey Time Machine Summit 72 Hockey Canada USA Hockey Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) PBS Hockey Hall of Fame The Hockey News Canadian History Ehx

Le Journal de Montréal Montreal Gazette Ottawa Citizen The Toronto Star The Globe and Mail Winnipeg Free Press Calgary Herald Edmonton Journal The Vancouver Sun The National National Post The Boston Globe The New York Times Washington Post Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times Los Angeles Times

A VERY Happy Birthday to Brad Park! Brad not only had a stellar NHL career that was Norris trophy worthy on many occasions, it can't be said enough how he actually deserved 9 POINTS in the 1972 Summit Series, not just the 5 he was officially (and incorrectly) given. Regardless, he was justly awarded the Top Defenseman of the tournament and his Game 8 performance ranks as one of the best by any Canadian defenseman in hockey history!

Hope you had a great day, Brad!

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)

'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

Brad Park - 1972 Summit Series Game 8, Goal 4 http://www.heritagehockey.com - Bring History Home

Remembering Rod Gilbert who would have turned 85 this year. Rod was a gifted goal scorer in amateur hockey and carried that success over to the NHL. As well, Rod showed his prowess at a young age and, per NHL.com, and at age 14 "he was playing with grown men in the competition for the Allan Cup, Canada's senior amateur championship" which is quite remarkable.

Rod also played a very important role during Team Canada 1972's comeback during the final 4 games in Moscow, totaling 5 adjusted points - 3rd on the team - and was an impressive +4!

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)

'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

Such VERY sad news to see today. Hockey Night in Canada on CBC / CBC Sports has been a staple of the NHL for so long it just won't be the same without it showing hockey any more.

There was a strong historical connection as well as carried games 1, 3, 5 & 7 while CTV carried 2, 4 & 6. And, with Team Canada's remarkable comeback underway, BOTH networks carried Game 8 across providing the greatest TV coverage the country had ever seen for the exciting and climactic final match.

In terms of its history, the iconic broadcast's timeline goes back 93 years to when it first aired NHL hockey on radio in 1933 as part of Hockey Broadcast on CRBC (later CBC Radio), and 90 years since it adopted the official Hockey Night in Canada name in 1936. It had its television debut on CBC on October, 11, 1952 making this a legendary 74-year run on TV's across the country until that ended following this year's 2026 NHL playoffs.

It will be greatly missed.

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)
'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

Sportsnet TSN International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) CBC News CTV News PBS Hockey Hall of Fame Hockey Time Machine The Hockey News Hockey Canada USA Hockey Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) Canadian History Ehx
Le Journal de Montréal Montreal Gazette Ottawa Citizen The Toronto Star The Globe and Mail Winnipeg Free Press Calgary Herald Edmonton Journal The Vancouver Sun The National National Post The Boston Globe The New York Times Washington Post Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times Los Angeles Times

CBC will no longer show NHL games as sublicense with rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet ends.

Details on our site and the CBC News app.

We lost another member of the 1972 Summit Series family with the recent passing of Dennis Hull at age 81, the younger brother of Bobby Hull. Dennis had a notable NHL career and also played a very important role for Team Canada when brother Bobby was prevented from participating - first by accepting his invitation at Bobby's urging, and also by playing very effectively when he joined the line-up in Game 4 in Vancouver. Then solidifying his roster spot during the last three crucial games where he helped lead Canada to victory, posting a superb +4 in the 4 games he played and contributing with his speed and head's-up, effective two-play on the big ice working well with his linemates Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert.

He will be greatly missed.

Thanks to TSN for the share.

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)

'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

Five-time NHL All-Star Dennis Hull has passed away. He was 81.

The brother of Bobby, and uncle to Brett and Bart, he played 13 seasons for the Blackhawks. He was also a pivotal role in helping Canada win the 1972 Summit Series.

Advantage 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 today at the in Switzerland, the rivalry continues!

Now onto the Semi's!

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)

'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

TSN International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) CBC CBC Sports CBC News CTV CTV News PBS Hockey Hall of Fame Hockey Night in Canada Hockey Time Machine The Hockey News Hockey Canada USA Hockey Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) Canadian History Ehx

Le Journal de Montréal Montreal Gazette Ottawa Citizen The Toronto Star The Globe and Mail Winnipeg Free Press Calgary Herald Edmonton Journal The Vancouver Sun The National National Post The Boston Globe The New York Times Washington Post Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times Los Angeles Times

GAME OVER! On to the semifinals. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

MATCH FINI! Direction demi-finales. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

📊 https://hc.hockey/MWC052826
📊 https://hc.hockey/CMM052826

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Great to see the 'Wizard of Cros' joining Canada's talented team for this year's International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland to hopefully finish what they started in Italy!

Thanks to the CBC Olympics for the share and may the best team win!

Richard J. Bendell, author
1972–THE SUMMIT SERIES, 🇨🇦 CANADA 🇨🇦 vs. 🇷🇺 USSR 🇷🇺 ,
The UNTOLD Story ***50th Anniversary 'Special Edition'*** book
(Available from and other online retailers around the world)

'Black & White version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732525
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732525
'Colour version'
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1738732541
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738732541

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/72series/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/72seriesbendell/
X(Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/72seriesbendell/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/72seriesbendell.bsky.social

TSN CBC CBC Sports CBC Gem CBC News CTV Sportsnet PBS Hockey Hall of Fame Hockey Night in Canada Hockey Time Machine The Hockey News Hockey Canada USA Hockey Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) Canadian History Ehx
Le Journal de Montréal Montreal Gazette Ottawa Citizen The Toronto Star The Globe and Mail Winnipeg Free Press Calgary Herald Edmonton Journal The Vancouver Sun The National National Post The Boston Globe The New York Times Washington Post Chicago Tribune Chicago Sun-Times Los Angeles Times

Crosby is joining Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship🇨🇦🏒