2007-Super-Series IIHF World Junior Championship

#2
1972 Summit Series, Game 8
September 28, 1972 – Moscow, Russia

- CANADA 6, RUSSIA 5 -

Needing wins in the final three games in Moscow to claim victory in the series, Canada pulled out a pair of one-goal wins in Game 6 and Game 7, forcing a deciding Game 8.

Paul Henderson was the hero in both games, scoring the game-winning goals, his Game 7 winner coming with 2:06 remaining and the Soviets fighting for the tie that would win them the series.

The two teams alternated goals for the first half of the game, with Bill White’s marker at 10:32 of the second period equalizing the game at 3-3, but the Soviets would strike for a pair before the end of the middle frame, and took a two-goal lead to the intermission.

Phil Esposito led the Canadians back onto the ice for the final period, and led them back into the game, scoring 2:27 into the third for the 5-4 goal.

Ten minutes later it was Esposito again, this time shaking off two Soviet defenders and putting the puck on Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak, who stopped the original shot but couldn’t stop Yvon Cournoyer on the rebound as the Canadians drew even at 5-5.

The Soviets seemed content to play for tie, which would give them the series win on goal differential, 32 to 31, but Canada had other ideas, setting the stage for one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history.

Cournoyer intercepted a pass at the Soviet blueline and tried to set up Henderson, but the puck was behind him and he crashed into the boards. Esposito, however, followed up the play and fired the puck at Tretiak, who turned away the first shot.

Henderson, who had gotten to his feet and went to the front of the net, put the puck on goal once again, but again Tretiak turned the Canadians away.

Henderson was not to be denied on the third chance, flipping the second rebound over a sprawling Tretiak with just 34 seconds remaining, giving Canada the win and creating a ‘Where Were You When…’ moment in Canadian history.

“Here's a shot. Henderson makes a wild stab for it and falls. Here's another shot. Right in front. They Score!! Henderson has scored for Canada!”

The words of Foster Hewitt have become a part of Canadian culture and will stand for all time as arguably the greatest moment in Canadian hockey history.

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