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 5 - Moscow
Re-energized by Esposito’s speech at the end of Game 4, Team Canada roared out to 3-0 and 4-1 leads. With their 3 goal lead, the Canadians uncomfortable on the much bigger ice, they made the cardinal sin of trying to defend a lead. In the words of Bobby Clarke, "we're not a defensive club, yet we tried to play defensively."
Only 9 minutes remained in the third period when the Soviets began their screaming onslaught that resulted in 4 unanswered goals taking them to a 5-4 win.
If was past gut check time as Team Canada was in a 3-1 hole in the series stunning the country. Then it began….
Video Here!
The Cache - Bush Less Whacked
A lonely bush on a lonely field on a lonely road. Small LnL that can take some tradeables.