40 years ago there was a huge, monumental confrontation. The 1972 Summit Series that featured Russia's best players squaring off against the best players (NHL) in team Canada. The series featured iconic hockey legends such as Phil Esposito, Ken Dryden, Bobby Clarke, Vladislav Tretiak, Alex Yakushev, among others. It was a "friendly" series of hockey but it was so much more than that. It was a clash between political systems, cultures, and customs. During the Cold War, there was little if any interaction between the west and communist Russia, and other than in the olympics, there were little if any competition in any sports. This series was supposed to be a cake-walk for team Canada. But the Russian team was highly under-estimated by the hockey world and it made it one of the greatest matcups in hockey history.
40 years later... how incredibly awesome would it be if Team Canada and Team Russia did it all again. Since Russians play in the NHL now the series wouldn't have the same mysterious interest that it had back in '72 but it would still be an incredible confrontation between the two global hockey powers. It would be a great hockey matchup of the two playing styles, with Team Russia playing a fast paced, high tempo, offensive minded game, and Team Canada's style of play of a balance between defense and offensive skill, physicality, and great goaltending. The series could feature some of the game's top players in Malkin, Datsyuk, Bryzgalov, Luongo, Doughty, Iginla, and I haven't even mentioned the Crosby-Ovechkin matchup. And like they did with team Sweeden, they could have neutral games too against other international teams.
Going into next season there is little-no hope that this series could happen but it would be incredible if they did this 10 years from now in 2022 to honor the 50 year anniversarie of the series. A rematch of the series would draw interest from hockey fans all over the globe. And it would be special. Just a thought...
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