At what point did the the Unites States surpass Russia as Canada's biggest rival?

[slapKing]

Historically, Russia has been Canada's biggest rival, but in recent history, USA became Canada's biggest rival. The games between Canada and the US have been intense and big game matches. Hockey games that fans wants to see.

The question is this: At what point or time did the States become Canada's biggest rival?

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[BullLund]

When Russia was banned from competitions I guess.

 

[koyvoo]

1996 probably, but it was never the same between Canada and Russia after 1987, really.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

1996 world cup win by the US

 

[MessierII]

late 90’s early 2000ish

 

[ORRFForever]

I miss Russia at hockey tournaments.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

1996 world cup win by the US

...yup...the HATE truly began then...

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Actually the rivalry was mostly with the Soviet Union.

 

[MadLuke]

By 1996 world cup final..., Soviet-Canada was huge, post Berlin Wall fall Russia, less of a big deal.

In 1996, a couple of times they dropped the glove.

1991 world cup was against them, with a weakened soviet team that feared deflection from its stars, then in 1996 again back to back.

For the 1998 Olympics Canada went with team USA in mind more than any other teams would be my guess and vice-versa.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

I miss Russia at hockey tournaments.

I don't.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

I miss Russia at hockey tournaments.

 

[SI90]

1996 world cup win by the US

this

 

[FDBluth]

It wasn't as big by this point but 2010 was definitely the nail in the coffin. That firs period by Team Canada was one of the most amazing periods of hockey I've ever seen by a team.

 

[the valiant effort]

It wasn't as big by this point but 2010 was definitely the nail in the coffin. That firs period by Team Canada was one of the most amazing periods of hockey I've ever seen by a team.

“Taken away by Richards…”

 

[Bradely]

I miss Russia at hockey tournaments.

i don't

 

[Cashville]

Would have said 90s generally, 1996 probably being a catalyst combined with the fall of the Soviet Union earlier that decade.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

It was 1991, when the US faced Canada in the CC Finals. Hockey world didn't realize it.

 

[Crosby2010]

1996 and it never went back after that. In 2002 I can remember sort of hoping it would be the US we played in the gold medal game because of revenge for 1996. Russia just hadn't given us that recent battle prior to that. It had been 1987 since we had significant meaningful hockey between them. So I think that since the U.S. became the next best team after us it just evolved naturally because Russia just hasn't been in the finals like the Americans have. Sentimentally it is Russia you still want to see but no doubt it has been an entire generation that US has overtaken them as our biggest rival.

Funny thing is, we've almost never had blowout games against the U.S. 1976 it was a 4-2 win by us with an empty netter. 1981 we won 8-3 but it was tied midway through the 3rd period. Then 4-1 in the semis. Then a 4-4 tie somehow in 1987. A 3-2 win in 1987. And then three wins in 1991. That's it up until 1996.

 

[BullLund]

i don't

Regardless of the political situation, that's crazy to not want to have seen players like Kucherov, Ovechkin, Bobrovski, Panarin, etc. play at the highest level.

 

[End on a Hinote]

IMO they've been our #1 rival since probably 2010

 

[Leaf Fans]

I miss Russia at hockey tournaments.

For sure, I want best on best and Russia is one of the best hockey nations.

 

[Stephen]

The big rivalry was with the Soviet Union. The 1996 World Cup was the turning point when the US became a bigger rivalry with that Modano, Hull, Guerin, Hatcher Bros, Leetch, Chelios, Leclair, and all at their peak powers. (Roenick didn’t play).

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Russia would and could have cooked all these 4 nations teams as they are currently assembled. Russia is still very much our rivals. The tournaments are just neutered because Russia is not in them.

Olympics better have them. Hoping Trump makes it happen and puts an end to that war asap.

Have you actually like looked at a potential Team Russia roster? It's really bad. They would finish 4th or 5th if they were added. Guys like Malkin and Ovechkin haven't been replaced, and Panarin is in decline. Kaprizov and Kucherov are elite but there's not much beyond that.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Historically, Russia has been Canada's biggest rival, but in recent history, USA became Canada's biggest rival. The games between Canada and the US have been intense and big game matches. Hockey games that fans wants to see.

The question is this: At what point or time did the States become Canada's biggest rival?

When the Soviet Union no longer existed.

Just like in the US, the Soviets represented an ideological enemy. Once they collapsed in 1991 their dominance in the sport that they had from the 50s-the 80s was also gone. It’s been all about trying to dethrone Canada as the best country in Hockey ever since

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

I don’t see it. The Russian team would have holes in it just like the others. Who’s their best defensemen right now, Sergachev? And unless Malkin finds the fountain of youth, that’s not a great 1C to have. A few amazing wingers and a couple of great goalies wouldn’t result in blowouts.