Because I think that there could be a movie in this.
Hockey’s version of the Cold War reached a pinnacle in the 1970s. Team Canada’s narrow victory at the legendary Summit Series in 1972 only heightened the animosity and that had been between brewing between the powers-that-be in North American and Soviet hockey.
During the 1975-76 season, the rivalry was renewed again. Two Soviet club teams – the legendary Red Army (CSKA Moscow) squad and the skilled, but less formidable Soviet Wings (Krylya Sovetov) – toured North America and played a series of four games apiece against NHL clubs.
By far the most anticipated matches were those pitting the Red Army against the Montreal Canadiens and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers.
Spoiler warning, for those who know nothing of the Flyers’ style of play back then: the Russians did know what hit them, but only after they picked themselves back up off of the ice. I didn’t see it – I was only six at the time – but I’ve heard people who did, and they usually had tones of awe in their voice. Why can’t they make sports movies about stuff like that? I’d watch movies about stuff like that.
Moe Lane