Eight games, two teams, one series. The Summit Series was a defining moment for Canadian hockey and a defining event for Canadian identity. It was a question of defining who had the best national hockey team, the Canadians or the Russians, in 8 games. 4 games in Canada, then on the road to the last 4 in Russia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Canadians were looking for excitement during the Cold War, before the Summit Series, and Canadians playing in the NHL and professionally were not allowed to do so. play internationally. Canada was between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Canadians needed something to distract them from the war unfolding before their eyes. That’s exactly what the Summit Series did. Canada, as a country, was more focused on the series than the war. The Canadian and Soviet teams were tied. The series began with Canada losing 7-3. The next 3 matches in Canada ended in a 4-1 win, a 4-4 draw and Russia 5-3. Canada lost the series 2-1. They kept the Canadians on their toes throughout their stay in Russia. They started in Russia with a defeat against Russia. The next two matches went 3-2 for Canada and 4-3 for Canada. The series was limited to 3 games won for each team. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay “The final game, on September 28, was watched intently by the largest Canadian television audience on record. (The Canadian Encyclopedia) The final match began with a quick 2 goals for the Soviets and the expulsion of a Canadian player. In the third period, Canada lost 5-3. Phil Esposito and Yvan Cournoyer each scored a goal to tie the game. We entered the final minute and the score was still tied at 5-5. All of Canada was on its feet since the series could be decided with 1 more goal. Paul Henderson scores a goal with 34 seconds left. Canada bursts with joy. The match ended with a final score of 6-5 for Canada. Prior to this series, Canadian National Hockey League players were not allowed at any international level. This includes the World Championships or the Olympic Games. But the Russians, who “played full time for the state” (Globe and Mail), did. Canadians had had enough of this. Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada in 1968-1979 (Reg Whitaker), decided that in 1971 he would raise the issue with the Soviet Prime Minister, Alexei Kosygin. Soon after, Russia was ready to test the NHL, 4 games in each country to see who was the best of the best..