Summit ‘Road’ Series
This series of caches follows the new path of Summit Road from Saskatchewan Ave to Sturgeon Rd. These roads use to a lot more visitors back in the day when it was the path to both Optimist Park (an athletic park with baseball fields, soccer pitches and even a BMX race track) and a major landfill site.
With the new Centre Port highway, it has been relegated to a road to nowhere. While this road may have been forgotten though, the ‘72 Summit Series will be remembered in Canada for years to come!
Hope you Enjoy!
The Summit Series
Canada had spent years dominating International competitions until the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) ruled that professional players would not be allowed to play in it’s competitions. THis paved the way for the Russians to become an unstoppable force in international play as their players were not considered pros.
After some debate, a contingent of hockey people led by much maligned Alan Eagleson was able to make a famous series of best on best between the Canadians and Russians. Making this even an even more engaging event was that it was during the height of the Cold War creating a huge sense of nationalism on each side.
Eight games would be played, the first four in Canada and the last four in Russia.
During negotiations for the series, the Russians asked for international rule changes and referees which Team Canada agreed to believing they could win easily under any conditions.
Coached by Harry Sendin and led by numerous Hall of Famers such as Phil Esposito, Serge Savard, Bobby Clarke, Stan Makita and breakout star Paul Henderson, Team Canada quickly found out that nothing was going to be easy.
Game 2 - Toronto
Team Canada feeling rathered shocked at result of Game 1 made many changes for Game 2. Several players were benched including Ken Dryden being replaced by Tony Esposito in goal. While the score was 0-0, Team Canada dominated the period with heavy hitting and grinding.
Phil Esposito scored in the second to give Team Canada the lead and the team continued to display their aggressiveness ending the period up 2-0 The Soviets would score one early in the third but key goals by the Mahovlich brothers would take Team Canada to a dominating 4-1 win.
While the dominating win reinvigorated the Canadians swagger and cocky attitude, the Soviets blamed the loss on very poor refereeing ending with the head of the USSR storming the officials dressing room kicking and throwing chairs. The refs were replaced for the remainder of the series.
The Cache - Summit Less Climbed
Placed at the entrance to Summit Road, you can park on a road that sees very few visitors as the road leads to nowhere now. It is a camoed pill bottle so BYOP!