2007-Super-Series IIHF World Junior Championship

#8
1984 Canada Cup, Semi-Final
September 13, 1984 – Calgary, AB

- CANADA 3, USSR 2 (OT) -

A 6-3 round robin loss three days prior to the semi-final match-up had brought back memories of the 1981 Canada Cup final, an 8-1 rout in favour of the Soviets. Losses to the USSR and Sweden, and a tie with the USA, left Canada fourth in the round robin, and a semi-final date with the 5-0 Soviets – the first team to ever go perfect in a Canada Cup round robin – was on the horizon at the Calgary Saddledome.

Despite their lackluster preliminary round, Canada dominated the Soviets in the opening 40 minutes, but could only manage a 1-0 lead on a goal from John Tonelli, who was named Tournament MVP.

Soviet goaltender Vladimir Myshkin continued his strong play in the third, and the USSR took a 2-1 lead late in the game before Canadian defenseman Doug Wilson scored only his second goal of the tournament, sending another Canada/Russia classic to overtime.

Midway through the first extra period, Paul Coffey broke up a Russian 2-on-1 and stormed back up the ice, his rush ending with Mike Bossy tipping in the game-winning goal, sending Canada to the final against Sweden.

“They beat us in '81 and we spent three years hearing they were the best in the world,” Wayne Gretzky said following the win. “Now we win 3-2 against them. Does this mean we're the best in the world? No, it means we were the best this one night. We're a great hockey country, they're a great hockey country. It's about time everybody realizes that.”

The Canadians would sweep the Swedes in the best-of-three final series, and never again would the host country leave the Canada Cup without the hardware.

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