More than just a game …
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010The next instalment of the all-time great Canada-Russia hockey series will take place at 7:30 PM this evening during the men’s quarter-final match-up at the 2010 Vancouver Olmypics.
Heroes come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
Will there be a new one born tonight in the history of Canadian hockey?
Sometimes …
someone, although fairly non-descript by most other measures, simply seizes the moment, and somehow …
Summit Series, September 1972
does something which is completely extraordinary.
Other times …
someone simply executes a relatively unsung role to perfection, and in the process, allows others to succeed in spectacular fashion …
Canada Cup,1987
To wit:
Keep your eyes on the far left of the screen, at the 1:31 mark of the 3rd period, when Wayne Gretzky, Larry Murphy and Mario Lemiuex begin their 3-on-1 break which eventually led to the winning goal. Pay particular attention to the ensuing slow-motion replays.
Do you see the hook play made by Dale Hawerchuk [future Hall Of Famer], on Russia’s #27, preventing him from completing his back-check?
If Hawerchuk had not made this specific play …
Might #27 have been able to catch up to Lemiuex and disrupt the entire sequence of events?
If this infraction had been whistled by the official on the play …
Would Team Canada have still been able to score the winning goal, in the 2-on-1 situation with just Gretzky and Murphy?
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In team sports, there are always an infinite number of small, individual plays made in a game which contribute to one team, either, winning or losing.
