Series of the Century | Serge Savard: “The 1972 team united the country”

In theory, the 1972 Century Series was organized to determine which of Canada or the Soviet Union had the best hockey team. Rather, the series took place against a backdrop of political and ideological warfare, which still has a prominent place in Canadian history today.

Nicholas Richard
The Press

It was Serge Savard, whom he met at his annual golf tournament at the Le Mirage club, who quickly redirected the discussion towards the true meaning of the Series of the Century. Of course, the selected players wanted to score as many goals as possible to win the match. However, beyond the medal, Canada has earned respect and notoriety.

At the time, Canada was still a very young country. He was barely 100 years old. In 1972, the red and white maple leaf flag was only seven years old. A country without revolution, without civil war, without heartbreak. A country where everything had to be done. Everything had to be proven. Everything had to be written.

In 1972, the Western world was still in the midst of the Cold War. The Americans had sent a man to the moon for the first time three years earlier. On one side, North America, on the other, the Soviets. The Western bloc versus the Eastern bloc. Democracy versus Communism.

When the puck fell for the first time, September 2, at the Montreal Forum, there was more than a victory at stake.

“Everyone who participated in it was so impacted. It was the first time that professional athletes represented their country,” recalls Savard.

He believes that this event also served to unite Canada, somewhat divided by the new flag. However, when the players showed up on the rink with the maple leaf on their uniform, “we never heard complaints about the Canadian flag again. The 1972 team united the country”.

The interest was there to prove it. More than two-thirds of the 22 million Canadians were in front of their televisions when Paul Henderson scored the game-winning goal.

“Anyone who went to school or was at least 6 years old remembers it, because everything stopped in 1972. And it’s pretty special for everyone there too, they all remember where they were . »

From coast to coast, every Picture Box has created a lasting memory.

A unique moment

When Paul Henderson gave Canada the victory at the Luzhniki Sports Hall with just 34 seconds left in the final match, it was ecstasy for the Canadian side. It all happened so fast that Savard doesn’t even remember if he was on the ice or on the players’ bench. “But I know that after scoring, we weren’t far from Paul Henderson,” he added, smiling.

He remembers, however, that he saw Ken Dryden come out of his semi-circle for the first time in his career. He was even made in front of Vladislav Tretiak.

Moreover, Savard confirmed that this victory is the most precious memory of Ken Dryden, even if he won the Stanley Cup six times with the Canadiens, because of all that it represented and the immensity of the moment. .

Having lived this experience with teammates also added a special character to this triumph, according to the Senator. With Dryden, Guy Lapointe, Yvan Cournoyer, Pete Mahovlich and Frank Mahovlich, the Habs at the time were well represented. To compete with some of his brothers-in-arms was “still quite extraordinary”.

Savard even insisted on the fact that in the Canadian’s first game at the Forum after the Series of the Century, Scotty Bowman had sent the six players who had represented Canada on the ice for the first appearance of the game. “One of the best memories of my sporting career,” he added. The players received a standing ovation.

“It’s hard to understand, but to rise so high emotionally, it’s almost impossible. It’s a moment we will never forget,” said Savard, the stars in his eyes.

Like what the wonder of having won more than a series of hockey is still so edifying 50 years later.