Let's Watch: 1972 Summit Series, Game 2/8

[Theokritos]

Game 2! After the upset of game 1, the Canadians strike back. Jump to 12:58 for the opening face-off.



TEAM CANADA:

Spoiler

Paul Henderson (19) – Bobby Clarke (28) – Ron Ellis (6)
Jean-Paul Parisé (22) – Phil Esposito (7) – Wayne Cashman (14)
Frank Mahovlich (27) – Stan Mikita (21) – Yvan Cournoyer (12)
Pete Mahovlich (20), Bill Goldsworthy (9)

Gary Bergman (2) – Brad Park (5)
Pat Stapleton (3) – Bill White (17)
Guy Lapointe (25) – Serge Savard (23)

Tony Esposito (35)

TEAM USSR:

Spoiler

Valeri Kharlamov (17) – Vyacheslav Starshinov (8) – Alexander Maltsev (10)
Yevgeni Mishakov (12) – Vladimir Petrov (16) – Boris Mikhailov (13)
Alexander Yakushev (15) – Vladimir Shadrin (19) – Yevgeni Zimin (11)
Vyacheslav Anisin (22)

Alexander Ragulin (5) – Gennadi Tsygankov (7)
Alexander Gusev (2) – Viktor Kuzkin (4)
Yuri Lyapkin (25) – Yevgeni Paladyev (26)
Vladimir Lutchenko (3)

Vladislav Tretyak (20)

SCORE:

Spoiler

27:14 – 1-0 Canada (Phil Esposito, assists Wayne Cashman and Brad Park)
41:19 – 2-0 Canada (Yvan Cournoyer, assists Brad Park and Phil Esposito)
45:53 – 2-1 USSR (Alexander Yakushev, assists Yuri Lyapkin and Yevgeni Zimin)
46:47 – 3-1 Canada (Pete Mahovlich, assist Phil Esposito)
48:59 – 4-1 Canada (Frank Mahovlich, assist Stan Mikita)

Note: Revised stats by Richard Bendell.

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[reckoning]

Bill Goldsworthy was also in the lineup for Canada, but didn't play much.

Canada was 4-0-1 in the series with these six defencemen all in the lineup. The biggest difference between this game and the first one is the presence of Serge Savard. He's playing great defensively, and getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly. The difference between him and Don Awrey is night and day.

While the Peter Mahovlich SH goal is the one everybody remembers from this game, I always preferred Cournoyer's. Just a beautiful play where he catches the puck in full flight.

 

[JackSlater]

Bill Goldsworthy was also in the lineup for Canada, but didn't play much.

Canada was 4-0-1 in the series with these six defencemen all in the lineup. The biggest difference between this game and the first one is the presence of Serge Savard. He's playing great defensively, and getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly. The difference between him and Don Awrey is night and day.

While the Peter Mahovlich SH goal is the one everybody remembers from this game, I always preferred Cournoyer's. Just a beautiful play where he catches the puck in full flight.

Yes, putting in Stapleton, White, and Savard was a huge upgrade. Savard really stands out as comfortably the second best defenceman in the series. I'd say that putting Tony Esposito in was also an upgrade.

I haven't rewatched this game in a while, though I may, but if I recall correctly this game felt much more like an NHL game stylistically than did game one.

 

[Big Phil]

Yes, putting in Stapleton, White, and Savard was a huge upgrade. Savard really stands out as comfortably the second best defenceman in the series. I'd say that putting Tony Esposito in was also an upgrade.

I haven't rewatched this game in a while, though I may, but if I recall correctly this game felt much more like an NHL game stylistically than did game one.

They never lost with Savard in the lineup. 1972 was not a kind year to him health-wise and he missed all three losses in this tournament. No coincidence that the team did better with him back there.

I also thought of the three goalies (Dryden, Tretiak, Esposito) who played in this tournament that Tony O was the best one. He had one lousy game (Game 5) and that was it. The other three he was good. He went 2-1-1 compared to Dryden's 2-2. Dryden had two bad games and Game 8 was not good either although it is very underrated how he came through after the 5th goal and shut the door. Often forgotten.

Bill Goldsworthy was also in the lineup for Canada, but didn't play much.

Canada was 4-0-1 in the series with these six defencemen all in the lineup. The biggest difference between this game and the first one is the presence of Serge Savard. He's playing great defensively, and getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly. The difference between him and Don Awrey is night and day.

While the Peter Mahovlich SH goal is the one everybody remembers from this game, I always preferred Cournoyer's. Just a beautiful play where he catches the puck in full flight.

Yeah, find me a goal where a player blows by another one with such speed as that Cournoyer goal. Wow!

 

[JackSlater]

They never lost with Savard in the lineup. 1972 was not a kind year to him health-wise and he missed all three losses in this tournament. No coincidence that the team did better with him back there.

I also thought of the three goalies (Dryden, Tretiak, Esposito) who played in this tournament that Tony O was the best one. He had one lousy game (Game 5) and that was it. The other three he was good. He went 2-1-1 compared to Dryden's 2-2. Dryden had two bad games and Game 8 was not good either although it is very underrated how he came through after the 5th goal and shut the door. Often forgotten.





Yeah, find me a goal where a player blows by another one with such speed as that Cournoyer goal. Wow!

I would rank the goaltenders in the series:

Esposito
Tretiak
Dryden

I don't think that any of them were great though.

 

[Big Phil]

I would rank the goaltenders in the series:

Esposito
Tretiak
Dryden

I don't think that any of them were great though.

Nothing legendary, no. Tretiak played well in the games in Canada more or less, while not so much in Russia. Maybe the lack of experience got to him at 20 years old. But no doubt it was still a coming out party for him. Dryden just never played well against the Soviets. It may have been how he wasn't used to the lateral passing plays as much. Tony O seemed to figure it out better. No, he didn't play great, but I thought he played decent and capable. I don't know if the series shifts from a 4-3-1 outcome, but he definitely played better than Dryden. Sinden flip flopped them and I don't think it worked well. It is one of those cases where the two-goalie system nearly cost them.

 

[Theokritos]

Bill Goldsworthy was also in the lineup for Canada, but didn't play much.

Good catch!

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

Nothing legendary, no. Tretiak played well in the games in Canada more or less, while not so much in Russia. Maybe the lack of experience got to him at 20 years old. But no doubt it was still a coming out party for him. Dryden just never played well against the Soviets. It may have been how he wasn't used to the lateral passing plays as much. Tony O seemed to figure it out better. No, he didn't play great, but I thought he played decent and capable. I don't know if the series shifts from a 4-3-1 outcome, but he definitely played better than Dryden. Sinden flip flopped them and I don't think it worked well. It is one of those cases where the two-goalie system nearly cost them.

I have often wondered why Sinden didn't stay with Esposito after Game 7. Maybe the flip flop strategy is it.

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

Some of Harry Sinden's thoughts on the eve of Game 2,

 

[Big Phil]

I have often wondered why Sinden didn't stay with Esposito after Game 7. Maybe the flip flop strategy is it.

It all depends. The Bruins used Cheevers in 1970 and it worked. In 1971 they seemed like they were going to flip and then Johnston had that horrible Game 2. In 1972 they flipped both goalies and won the Cup. Personally I don't like it, and I think it hurts you in the end more than anything. People think the Leafs had Sawchuk and Bower share duties in 1967. Sort of, but not really. Sawchuk played in 10 playoff games to Bower's 2. However, Bower did get a shutout in that game. But overall it isn't the best formula I don't think.

Smith was the overwhelming starter for the Isles in the playoff games. Fuhr did the same with the Oilers although when Moog had to fill in he did well.

Here is what Phil Esposito said in his book about Sinden not going with Tony O. He said that he told Phil that they'd go with Dryden and if he faltered then Tony gets put in. Which is sort of funny because he did allow 5 goals in 2 periods before finally coming around. I honestly don't know why Sinden did what he did. I would think Tony is the better option at this point. Dryden did have a good Game 6, and yet they went with Tony in Game 7, who then held firm. Maybe he felt he had two great goalies and the mix up would confuse the Soviets, I don't know, that's my best guess. But I think it was risky.

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

"Here is what Phil Esposito said in his book about Sinden not going with Tony O. He said that he told Phil that they'd go with Dryden and if he faltered then Tony gets put in. Which is sort of funny because he did allow 5 goals in 2 periods before finally coming around."

Here's what Harry wrote about Dryden in the practice before Game 8. Just to be clear, I don't see it as a contradiction to what he told Phil.

 

[Theokritos]

Some of Harry Sinden's thoughts on the eve of Game 2,

View attachment 567625

Thanks a lot for providing those snippets!

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

Thanks a lot for providing those snippets!

Happy to be of assistance. Sinden had such an extraordinary point of view. Let me know if you have any questions regarding his thoughts on any of the remaining games. If I have time I will look for it and post accordingly.

 

[Batis]

One of the things that stand out to me is that this was the only game in this series where Team Canada got the better of the Soviets in the special teams battle. Throughout the series the Soviets penalty killing was absolutely brilliant as they only conceded 2 powerplay goals against while scoring 3 shorthanded goals. But in Game 2 it was Team Canada that managed to go 1-1 over the course of 5 Soviet powerplay opportunities. The effort of Pete Mahovlich in shorthanded situations during this game really deserves to be mentioned not only because of the brilliant goal that he scored but also for his other puck ragging exhibitions. Here below are some examples of this including the important 3-1 goal that he scored.

 

[JackSlater]

This is the only Summit Series game where it seems like Canada played as it wanted to. Effective physicality in addition to being able to execute on details. Cournoyer's speed was impressive and something that Canada could have used more of throughout the series. Yakushev's play, the goal and otherwise, shows a lot of why he was probably the most effective Soviet in the series. His style works very well, more direct than many of his teammates. Not the strongest game for USSR but they responded well after.

Pete Mahovlich's goal was quite nice as well.

 

[VMBM]

This is the only Summit Series game where it seems like Canada played as it wanted to. Effective physicality in addition to being able to execute on details. Cournoyer's speed was impressive and something that Canada could have used more of throughout the series. Yakushev's play, the goal and otherwise, shows a lot of why he was probably the most effective Soviet in the series. His style works very well, more direct than many of his teammates. Not the strongest game for USSR but they responded well after.

Pete Mahovlich's goal was quite nice as well.

I think Boris Mikhailov deserves a mention too; he played a very strong game, despite not getting on the scoreboard. Actually, he was one of the best players in the first four games, but somehow lost his efficiency in Moscow, whereas Yakushev just flourished.

Unfortunately for the Soviets, they missed Yevgeny Zimin after this game; he never became a superstar, but had played very well before his injury.

Valeri Kharlamov didn't show much in game 2, but that would change for game 3 (IMO his best of the series).

Of the Canadian players, Serge Savard impressed me the most. And maybe Tony Esposito. The physical dump&chase hockey of the Cashman-Esposito-Parise line also clearly caused problems for the USSR.

 

[JackSlater]

I think Boris Mikhailov deserves a mention too; he played a very strong game, despite not getting on the scoreboard. Actually, he was one of the best players in the first four games, but somehow lost his efficiency in Moscow, whereas Yakushev just flourished.

Unfortunately for the Soviets, they missed Yevgeny Zimin after this game; he never became a superstar, but had played very well before his injury.

Valeri Kharlamov didn't show much in game 2, but that would change for game 3 (IMO his best of the series).

Of the Canadian players, Serge Savard impressed me the most. And maybe Tony Esposito. The physical dump&chase hockey of the Cashman-Esposito-Parise line also clearly caused problems for the USSR.

Yes true, Mikhailov was good. This was the most Canadian game stylistically in the series, in my opinion, and the more physical Soviet players seemed to do well. Savard does deserve credit as well. Had Canada known what it was getting into this game is probably the template they would like to follow, with Tony Esposito, that defence, and perhaps a few changes at forward. USSR did counter it well going into the coming games.

 

[Theokritos]

Bump. 50 years ago today.

 

[Fenway]

 

[PM88RU]

I’d like to add, and it could be a new info for some of you, that in some article regarding game 2 I read that the day game 2 was held was the day that Russians had a peak of acclimatization. Not that it explains the whole result, but surely that did affect, too. When you don’t feel 100%, you just can’t give the most you’re capable of.

USSR had a tremendous preparation for game 1. Not only they had tapes analyzed and they had the training started much in advance, but they also switched and started living by NA time zone 2 weeks before the game 1. But the acclimatization was the thing they couldn’t experience in advance

I wonder if Canada managed to avoid or at least lower this effect in USSR by flying through Europe and spending some time there before USSR part of the Summit games.

And yep, the whole game 2 demonstrated that Russians were taken seriously, the hockey strategy was analyzed in details, and that was the Canada answer that Soviets weren’t ready for.

Though USSR team found their counter-answers and their game, too. In later games.

 

[Golden_Jet]

It was too bad they didn’t allow Bobby Hull to play, he jumped to the WHA that summer.