WJC-Canada - Russia: The Not-so-friendly Rivalry

[Don Cherry]

January 04, 2003
Gare Joyce
http://www.canadianhockey.ca/e/teams...ws/fea055.html


Since the 1972 Summit Series there have been many great games between Canada and Russia (the former Soviet Union). Some have provided thrills for Canadian fans, others disappointments.

Last year's narrow loss to the Russians in the finals of the world junior tournament in the Czech Republic would count both as a thrilling game and a heartbreaker for Canadian fans. Canada had a two-goal lead going into the second-period of that game, only to see the Russians rally and withstand a furious last-minute seige.

Yet the memories of that game are not as sour as those that come out of Canada's 5-2 victory over the Russians in the opening round of that tournament. In that game, with Canada comfortably in front late in the game, Russian forward Alexander Svitov spat on Canadian centre Brian Sutherby.

When Sutherby spoke to the media after that game, he was visibly shaken and could barely hold back tears. In a voice barely above a whisper, he talked about how difficult it was not to retaliate and risk suspension. When asked about the incident, Svitov and Russian team officials insisted that it was Sutherby who initiated the incident and did the spitting.

This had to rank as the lowest point in sportsmanship involving the two hockey powers since the Soviet ambush of the Canadian juniors that resulted in the teams' disqualification from the 1987 tournament in Piestany, Czechoslovakia.

[Ð]

Nah the lowest point in Canada-Russia huckey was when Bonehead Bobby Clarke broke Kharlamov's ankle in '72.

Nothing has ever come close.