1972 Summit Series; Yakushev-Shadrin-Anisin line in Moscow

[VMBM]

I’ve declared sometimes here that I’ve never seen a Soviet forward line play better than Alexander Yakushev, Vladimir Shadrin and (mostly) Vyacheslav Anisin did in the four games that were played in Moscow in September ’72. I decided to take a little closer look at their play in games 5-8, and well, I still have no reason to withdraw that statement! My aim is just to highlight/present their exceptional performance rather than ponder why it was so (I might try to do that later on), and also to show that it wasn’t just Yakushev (who usually gets most of the praise) who played great in Moscow.

One should also point out almost immediately that it even wasn’t just about the forward line but their defencemen Vladimir Lutchenko and Yuri Lyapkin too. In Lyapkin, they had almost like a 4th forward or at least an extra playmaker in the unit. No other Soviet line had that kind of synergy in the series in my opinion; it was rather just a case of 3 forwards and 2 defencemen. Later on, somebody like Alexander Gusev showed some playmaking abilities (in the 1974 Series vs. WHA’s Canada, for example), when playing (with Vasiliev) behind Mikhailov, Petrov and Kharlamov, and then, of course, a certain Vyacheslav Fetisov came around and took it to another level.

First, some statistical proof of their dominance; the unit scored 6 even strength goals in games 5-8 and were on the ice only for 1 goal against. And here is a very interesting fact. Now, you might have sometimes wondered why Phil Esposito’s plus/minus was "only" +2 (8th best on his team along with 3 other players), even though he was the best scorer for Team Canada, and, along with Henderson, the Canadian hero in the series. Well, the answer is: blame Shadrin’s line for it! Get this: as mentioned, Shadrin’s unit scored 6 goals on ES in Moscow and a whopping 5 (!) of them were scored when they were playing against Phil Esposito and his linemates (1 goal was scored against Bobby Clarke’s line). Whereas Clarke’s line (with Henderson and Ellis) played almost exclusively against the Kharlamov-Maltsev-Vikulov line (I think mostly even after Kharlamov was "taken care of" and after the line became rather ineffective), I don’t think Esposito’s line (usually with Cournoyer and Parise) even necessarily played mostly - and certainly not exclusively - against Shadrin’s line, and still Espo’s record was so utterly poor against them in Moscow. Ratelle’s line (mostly with Gilbert and Dennis Hull) played probably about as much versus Shadrin’s line as Esposito did in the last 4 games and they fared much better; while Ratelle et co scored no goals against them on ES, they did not allow any by them either. Esposito did better against Petrov’s line (with Mikhailov and Yuri Blinov), e.g. scoring two ES goals against them in games 7 and 8 (the goal in game 7 was scored only a few seconds after Mikhailov got out of the penalty box, though).

Here are the 5 aforementioned goals vs Esposito's line:

Game 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYrt292cNcU&t=35m53s
Anisin scores by deflecting Lyapkin’s shot into the net, Yakushev gets the second assist. Esposito had only just stepped on the ice, I don’t think he is to blame here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYrt292cNcU&t=36m40s
Another goal is scored only 8 seconds after the previous one. Unfortunately, it happens so quickly that we only get to see the actual goal (they are still showing replays of the other goal when the play is forming) and really nothing else. But it is fair to assume that Esposito lost the faceoff to Shadrin big time there. More of that follows below.

Game 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkbFBJkccY&t=44m50s
At the end of a very dominating shift, Yakushev and Shadrin set up Lyapkin who scores from the blueline. Espo et co can only watch. Volchkov is the other Soviet forward there.

Game 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRkVIOdEMfQ&t=23m50s
In his defensive zone, Shadrin wins a faceoff vs Esposito 100-0 and passes the puck to Yakushev who makes a great solo rush and blasts the puck past hapless Tony Esposito. Not that the Espositos are the main ones to blame here; Brad Park stumbles at the wrong moment and so Yakushev has a clear path there.

Game 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPuuwfrX5UE&t=8m43s
Again, and this time in the offensive zone, Shadrin wins a faceoff vs Esposito and moments later the puck is in the net. A free Yakushev in front of the net = a sure goal (at least in this series). And it’s just crazy that Shadrin wasn't even awarded an assist on the goal. Who the hell were responsible for the statistics in the series?!

And here is the sixth (or fifth, chronologically speaking) goal by Shadrin’s line on ES, this time against Clarke’s line (game 8):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s2j5N5qVgE&t=58m58s
Yakushev shoots, and the puck takes a weird bounce off the glass. Dryden is unable to glove it, and Shadrin scores on the rebound.

To be fair, Phil Esposito did get one back, as his line (with Gilbert and Dennis Hull there) scored that lone ES goal against Shadrin’s line in Moscow (game 6):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkbFBJkccY&t=51m53s
There’s that "pet peeve" of the Soviets, i.e. a blind pass by Shadrin to Yakushev at the blueline that doesn’t work; Bill White breaks up the attack, and moments later Hull scores for Canada.

Shadrin was also one of the 3 forwards who were on the ice when Henderson scored (with Espo setting him up) his famous series winning goal in game 8, the other two were Maltsev and Petrov (the three main Soviet centers in the series!!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPuuwfrX5UE&t=63m35s

Esposito’s line also sometimes dominated the play versus Shadrin’s line. Here is an example of that from game 7, as they create some panic around the Russian net after some good forechecking by Espo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRkVIOdEMfQ&t=37m28s

Back to the highlights of Shadrin’s line. Not only on ES, but Yakushev (and Shadrin) were mighty effective on PP too. They usually played with Maltsev rather than Anisin on power plays. Here are Yakushev’s 3 PP goals in Moscow:

Game 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Stt5o7bEw&t=8m40s
Yakushev rushes towards the net and gets some help from Shadrin and then scores. The other Soviet forward here is Volchkov.

Game 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoWBV48CcyU&t=28m26s
Maltsev makes a brilliant pass to Yakushev, standing near the crease, and he scores easily. The other forward on the PP here is Petrov.

Game 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s2j5N5qVgE&t=16m25s
Yakushev, Shadrin and Maltsev on 5-on-3 PP. After Lutchenko’s and Maltsev’s shots (the latter hitting the post), Yakushev, again standing near the crease, scores on the rebound.

Yakushev and Shadrin were also on the ice when Vasiliev scored a PP goal in game 8; the other forward with them that time was Mikhailov.

So there were the goals. But it was not just all about their incredible efficiency (especially compared with other Soviet forwards/players in Moscow), they usually dominated the play too. So finally, here are some other highlights, where Shadrin’s line/unit clearly dominates, on ES or on PP:

Game 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkbFBJkccY&t=43m33s
Good domination by Shadrin, Yakushev, Volchkov, Lyapkin and Luchenko here at the start of the 2nd period; all that leads to a goal (that I already provided a link for above).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkbFBJkccY&t=55m55s
Even though Shadrin’s line didn’t get a goal on ES against Ratelle’s line in Moscow, the latter can count themselves also lucky. In this shift, Shadrin et co totally dominate the play and get some good scoring chances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Stt5o7bEw&t=1m33s
Another dominating shift by Shadrin’s line vs Ratelle’s line.

Game 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRkVIOdEMfQ&t=18m55s
Cournoyer, Esposito and Parise get dominated by Shadrin’s line. Notice also Lyapkin’s role there as a 4th attacker and playmaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoWBV48CcyU&t=36m7s
Shadrin, Yakushev and Maltsev playing brilliantly on PP, and the domination continues a little bit on ES too.

So I hope I have managed to prove (if it even needed any 'proving') that Yakushev-Shadrin-Anisin line was absolutely brilliant in the games played in Moscow. Hopefully also Shadrin's role as a playmaker and as a winner of many crucial faceoffs comes across here. While it is hard to name the best Soviet forward line in the first 4 games in Canada, as every one of them had their moments (the lineups also changed from game to game), there’s absolutely no question about which the best line in games 6-8 was (maybe even in game 5). Heck, clearly the best line including all the Canadian forward lines too. Who knows what would have happened if Kharlamov had been healthy throughout the series, but this speculation should not take anything away from Shadrin et co; their play was simply out of this world in Moscow, it really was.

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[Batis]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting these. That line really was outstanding in the games in Moscow and had many dominating shifts against great opponents as you have shown very well here.

 

[Sentinel]

Thank you. Great breakdown.

 

[Killion]

Thank you. Great breakdown.

... quite welcome Sentinel... and while were waiting, anything else we can do for you?... Chiclets?... a pillow?

 

[VMBM]

Whereas Clarke’s line (with Henderson and Ellis) played almost exclusively against the Kharlamov-Maltsev-Vikulov line (I think mostly even after Kharlamov was "taken care of" and after the line became rather ineffective), I don’t think Esposito’s line (usually with Cournoyer and Parise) even necessarily played mostly - and certainly not exclusively - against Shadrin’s line, and still Espo’s record was so utterly poor against them in Moscow.

A little more on this.

It seems that in game 8, Clarke with Henderson and Ellis played mostly against Shadrin's line, and against Kharlamov/Mishakov-Maltsev-Vikulov it was alternatively Ratelle's or Esposito's line. So apparently after game 7 Sinden finally noticed where the main Soviet scoring threat came from, or at least he finally decided to act on it, i.e. played probably the best Canadian checking line against Shadrin's line.

After the 1972 Series, Kharlamov was reunited with Mikhailov and Petrov, and in the following spring they had a huge tournament in Moscow (1973 WHC, that is). After that, there wasn't much talk about separating them anymore (until Kharlamov was in that car accident in 1976). In the 1974 Series against the WHA they were definitely the best Soviet line... or maybe I should say the best unit, since their dmen Gusev and Vasiliev were among the best Soviet scorers in the series too. As for Yakushev and Shadrin, I don't think they were nearly as good in 1974 as in 1972. Yes, Yakushev was the top Soviet scorer in this series too (8 points like Kharlamov, but more goals),* but he had a few big games (g3 especially) and some weaker ones rather than that he was constantly brilliant throughout the series. He was injured at the time too. Shadrin couldn't replicate his performance from 1972 really at all, and Lyapkin was more of a non-factor this time around (and played only in 5 games). However, together with Viktor Shalimov, Yakushev and Shadrin had some big tournaments later on too, especially the 1975 WHC (Yakushev got the best forward nod and Shalimov was the top scorer) and 1976 Olympics (Shadrin the top scorer). I'd still think that they were never quite as dominating again as in the last games of the 1972 Series.

* I'd also like to see some alternative stats, since there were clearly many errors done in 1974 too (just like in 1972)

 

[Theokritos]

Thanks a lot for this. As I always like to point out when Yakushev's great performance throughout the series is brought up, especially in comparison with Kharlamov: in game 1 the Canadians identified Kharlamov as the most dangerous opponent and subsequently he had Bobby Clarke and Ron Ellis breathing down his neck for the rest of the series. The other Soviet lines, including the Spartak duo of Yakushev and Shadrin (and whoever RW they were playing with), didn't have as difficult a task. I point this out to put the performances into the right perspective, but that shouldn't take away from the fact the Shadrin line was magnificent against top NHL level competition.

One should also point out almost immediately that it even wasn’t just about the forward line but their defencemen Vladimir Lutchenko and Yuri Lyapkin too. In Lyapkin, they had almost like a 4th forward or at least an extra playmaker in the unit. No other Soviet line had that kind of synergy in the series in my opinion; it was rather just a case of 3 forwards and 2 defencemen.

Interestingly, Lutchenko was originally the only non-Spartak player on that unit: in the first two games in Canada, Yevgeny Zimin played RW alongside Shadrin and Yakushev. Then he mysteriously disappears from the roster. Had Zimin played in Moscow, 4/5 of the unit would have been Spartak players and the line would arguably have had even more synergy!

 

[Theokritos]

So apparently after game 7 Sinden finally noticed where the main Soviet scoring threat came from, or at least he finally decided to act on it, i.e. played probably the best Canadian checking line against Shadrin's line.

Or maybe he just figured the Kharlamov problem was "solved" after Clarke's slash.

* I'd also like to see some alternative stats, since there were clearly many errors done in 1974 too (just like in 1972)

Last year Richard Bendell has revised those too, though I'm not sure whether his findings have (yet) been published. But I've got them anyway as I wanted to remaster the European & International Reference thread and he consented that we use the data there. I just never got around to actually do it. Maybe it's time to change that.

 

[VMBM]

Interestingly, Lutchenko was originally the only non-Spartak player on that unit: in the first two games in Canada, Yevgeny Zimin played RW alongside Shadrin and Yakushev. Then he mysteriously disappears from the roster. Had Zimin played in Moscow, 4/5 of the unit would have been Spartak players and the line would arguably have had even more synergy!

Yes, Zimin might have been the best player of the unit in the first 2 games. If I remember correctly, Foster Hewitt and Brian Conacher (play-by-play & color guy, respectively) already talked about Zimin as being one of the very best Soviet players at the beginning of game 1 (they had watched the Soviets practise). Yes, whatever happened to him? I don't mean just in that series (probably got somehow injured in g2?) but generally too. Also, to me he looked like the fastest Soviet player in the series. But he just never became a truly great player for some reason.

 

[VMBM]

Or maybe he just figured the Kharlamov problem was "solved" after Clarke's slash.

To me it looks like Clarke's line is still playing almost exclusively against the Mishakov-Maltsev-Vikulov line in game 7 (i.e. no Kharlamov in game 7). Only in game 8 did Clarke, Ellis and Henderson start to play vs the Shadrin line regularly. Did I miss something?

Last year Richard Bendell has revised those too, though I'm not sure whether his findings have (yet) been published. But I've got them anyway as I wanted to remaster the European & International Reference thread and he consented that we use the data there. I just never got around to actually do it. Maybe it's time to change that.

In 1974, at least the forwards on the top unit were robbed of some points IMO and even a goal.

In game 3, Petrov scores a goal but Vasiliev gets the credit (well, Petrov got an assist at least): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wef1RyI-vY&t=32m57s

Plus how on earth weren't both Mikhailov and Kharlamov awarded an assist on this goal by Gusev in game 5? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OleQwqDQWvU&t=23m15s
Or was it like "a rebound off the boards don't count as an assist"? Whatever the case, it's a pity considering especially Kharlamov's effort there.

 

[Sentinel]

... quite welcome Sentinel... and while were waiting, anything else we can do for you?... Chiclets?... a pillow?

Uhm... not sure how to respond here...

 

[Killion]

Uhm... not sure how to respond here...

... no need. just messin with ya.

 

[Theokritos]

To me it looks like Clarke's line is still playing almost exclusively against the Mishakov-Maltsev-Vikulov line in game 7 (i.e. no Kharlamov in game 7). Only in game 8 did Clarke, Ellis and Henderson start to play vs the Shadrin line regularly. Did I miss something?

I wasn't really aware of that, so I am the one who missed something here.

In 1974, at least the forwards on the top unit were robbed of some points IMO and even a goal.

In game 3, Petrov scores a goal but Vasiliev gets the credit (well, Petrov got an assist at least): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wef1RyI-vY&t=32m57s

That's one of the many obvious inaccuracies Bendell has revised.

Richard Bendell: "For the 3rd Soviet goal,*it is totally clear that Vasiliev plays the puck to Mikhailov who then sets up Petrov who scores. *No question that Petrov should get the goal, and Vasiliev an assist."

Plus how on earth weren't both Mikhailov and Kharlamov awarded an assist on this goal by Gusev in game 5? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OleQwqDQWvU&t=23m15s
Or was it like "a rebound off the boards don't count as an assist"? Whatever the case, it's a pity considering especially Kharlamov's effort there.

And that's another one.

Richard Bendell: "With the Soviet's 3rd goal, Mikhailov clearly feeds Kharlamov who makes a great move but shoots the puck wide. On the rebound of the boards Gusev shoots the puck in. Thus, there is absolutely no reason not to give Mikhailov and Kharlamov assists!"

For me personally, the most surprising instance was the following: on the 5th goal of the Soviets in Game 3, the Canadian sources list Yakushev (#15) as the scorer and Shadrin gets the assist. (Bendell adds a secondary assist for Gusev.) Totally reasonable if you watch the play:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHl-l_KbU0&t=5m38s

Shadrin with the backhand shot and Yakushev deflects the puck into the net. But then, the Russian records officially count this one as a goal by – Vladimir Shadrin, and an unassisted one at that! How is this possible? The answer: The Russian (European?) definition back then was such that the last player who touched the puck with his stick (or the stickblade?) was counted as the goal scorer. And since Yakushev deflected the puck with his glove or knee into the goal...

 

[MaxV]

Its not surprising that Shadrin-Yakushev combo had the most success as they were the only ones who played together consistently.

Was there a reason why Bobrov changed lineups and combination so frequently? Keep Canada coaches guessing? Keeping pre tournament promises? Injuries?

 

[VMBM]

Its not surprising that Shadrin-Yakushev combo had the most success as they were the only ones who played together consistently.

I don't think that's fair. For example, Petrov and Mikhailov had played together (uninterrupted) since 1968, and they played together in the series too with the exception of game 3 where Mikhailov played together with Kharlamov and Maltsev. I don't think it can be explained just like that. Namely, Yakushev and Shadrin were exceptionally good and efficient in Moscow, even by their standards. Probably better than ever before or since.

Was there a reason why Bobrov changed lineups and combination so frequently? Keep Canada coaches guessing? Keeping pre tournament promises? Injuries?

Possibly all of the three alternatives, but I think that at least injuries and pre tournament promises (e.g. Starshinov in g2?) played some part. (He would have been crazy not to use Zimin who had scored 2 goals in g1 and had played a major part in the lone Soviet goal in g2 too).

Game 2 was a strange one. USSR beats Canada 7-3 in g1, but for the 2nd game Bobrov puts old Starshinov with Maltsev and Kharlamov (i.e. replacing Vikulov) and Mishakov (by this stage, more of a 'role player' & penalty killer) with Mikhailov and Petrov (replacing Yuri Blinov). Neither of these moves worked. I think Vikulov might have been little injured, but I don't know about Blinov.

Game 6 had some strange tactical decisions too. For example, Petrov and Mikhailov did not play in the first period, and seemed to play only on PP or on PK in the second period. In the 3rd period, they played regularly, with Alexander Volchkov of all players.

 

[Grant D Pennell]

Yes, Zimin might have been the best player of the unit in the first 2 games. If I remember correctly, Foster Hewitt and Brian Conacher (play-by-play & color guy, respectively) already talked about Zimin as being one of the very best Soviet players at the beginning of game 1 (they had watched the Soviets practise). Yes, whatever happened to him? I don't mean just in that series (probably got somehow injured in g2?) but generally too. Also, to me he looked like the fastest Soviet player in the series. But he just never became a truly great player for some reason.

I talk about the zimin disappearance mystery in my book. Foster called zimin a “top notcher! “ lol