Sochi Olympics: Bring On the Hockey!

A commentator at the Sochi games said Russia will measure the success of these games by how well the Russian men’s hockey team does. It reminds me of growing up in Canada. In 1972, they set up an 8-game series Team Canada vs. Soviet Union.

It was tied with 3 wins each and 1 tie going into game 7. The series became much more than hockey, it was a matter of national pride on a massive scale. The final game was tied 5-5. With 34 seconds left, Paul Henderson scored the winning goal. It was pandemonium in Canada. I can’t describe it. The whole country ran into the streets and out on the frozen lakes screaming and yelling. Cities crumbled. Moose and beavers ran around in circles. It was great.

I didn’t think I’d experience anything like that again. Until we moved back to the States and watched the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid in 1980. That was even crazier.

Bring on the hockey!