From Miracle on Ice to Crosby’s golden goal, there have been plenty of memorable international hockey memories made throughout the years. With the 2016 World Cup of Hockey capping off things with a Canadian victory – and the U17 World Hockey Challenge currently underway – it’s time to walk down memory lane and reflect on the top 10 international hockey moments of all time.
10. Hasek Steals the Show
Hall of Fame goaltender Dominic Hasek put on a gold medal worthy clinic at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, leading the Czech Republic to take the tournament. Thanks to Hasek’s stellar performance, the favorited Canadians walked away empty handed.
9. Junior Gold at Home
Down by a goal with seconds to spare in a semi-final game, Canadian forward Jordan Eberle scored on a stunned Russian team, forcing overtime. The Canadians went on to defeat the Swedes in the final to win their fourth straight World Junior gold.
8. Soviets Shock Canada
While most Canadians have nothing but good memories from the 1972 Summit Series, the opening game of the series wasn’t anything to celebrate. The Soviets stunned the crowd in Montreal after winning game one by a score of 7-3.
7. Overcoming Officiating in Salt Lake City
The American women’s team had defeated the Canadians in eight straight meetings prior to gold medal game in Salt Lake City. After playing shorthanded for most of the game due to some questionable calls, the Canadians went on to capture gold on U.S. soil.
6. Canada Cup 1987
With the Soviet’s taking a 3-0 early on in the 1987 Canada Cup final, things looked bleak for the Canadian squad. After miraculously ending up in a tied game, Mario Lemieux scored with just under 2 minutes left to give the Canadians a 6-5 lead, and ultimately a Canadian victory.
5. Miracle on Ice
During the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the predominantly amateur American team was tasked with defeating a Soviet squad that had won a gold medal in six of the past seven Olympics. To the shock of everyone, the Americans beat the Soviets by a score of 4-3. An ABC Olympic sports anchor later compared the victory to a group of Canadian college football players defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.
4. History is Made
In the midst of the Cold War, the 1972 Summit Series acted as a metaphor for East vs. West. One of the most famous goals in Canadian history came with a minute left in a tied game when Paul Henderson scored to make it 6-5 for Canada. The goal ultimately won the series for Canada.
3. The Crazy Comeback
The 2014 Sochi Olympics saw another classic Canada vs. USA match-up in the women’s hockey final. Late in the third, it looked like the Americans would take the gold with a 2-1 lead. With goaltender Shannon Szabados pulled for an extra Canadian attacker, the puck narrowly missed an empty Canadian net, allowing Marie-Philip Poulin to tie it up with 56 seconds left in regulation. In OT and on a power play, the Canadians managed to sneak one past the American goaltender to win their fourth straight Olympic goal.
2. A 50 Year Drought Come to an End
Canada was in the midst of a 50-year medal drought in men’s hockey when they won gold in Salt Lake City. Joe Sackic, Steve Yzerman, and Mario Lemieux led the team to a gold medal victory against the Americans. The predominantly Canadian crowd in Salt Lake City belted out O’Canada in during the final minutes of the game.
1. Sid’s Golden Goal
After a disappointing performance during the 2006 Olympics in Turin, pressure was on the Canadians to perform well at home. And, well, we all know what happened from there.