Russian PM asks Harper to consider Summit Series

[Mike Baker]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070328/summit_series_070328/20070328?hub=TopStories

Russian PM asks Harper to consider Summit Series
Updated Wed. Mar. 28 2007 10:55 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to support the push for a historic nation-versus-nation hockey match-up to mark the 35th anniversary of the historic Summit Series.

The 1972 on-ice battle -- held at the height of the Cold War -- grabbed the attention of citizens of both nations and is widely remembered as a key moment in Canada's hockey history.

Now, there is a movement afoot to hold another tournament to mark the 35th anniversary of the original eight-game event which Canada won.

Harper -- a hockey fan who is writing a book about the history of the sport -- has not yet responded publicly to the challenge, first reported by Russia's hockey authority, Sport Express.

The Moscow-based daily newspaper broke the news that officials were considering holding another Summit Series.

The event would include four games in each country, the newspaper reports.

The results of the poll so far:
Should Canada accept Russia’s challenge to hold a rematch of the 1972 Summit Series hockey tournament?


Yes, I would tune in  212 votes    (62 %)

No, it's old news  128 votes    (38 %)


Now this I would love to see  ;D

 

[GAP]

Was there not a number of repeat series after the "great" one?

The Russian teams are nowhere near the calibre of the former teams. In fact, I think all the good players are in the NHL.

 

[Mike Baker]

The Russian teams are nowhere near the calibre of the former teams. In fact, I think all the good ones are in the NHL.

+1. The only good Russians now play in the NHL. They do have some other good players, but no where near the caliber of ours.

 

[sober_ruski]

Heh, "ours"?

Looking at the rosters, most are from Europe

 

[Mike Baker]

"ours" as in our Canadian players, not those who are in the NHL. 

 

[sober_ruski]

Heh, good point.

It is funny how half of the NHL goes back to Europe when World Cup, or whatever hockey has, starts.  :

EDIT:
stuff

 

[mckee19]

Heh, good point.

It is funny how half of the NHL goes back to Europe when World Cup, or whatever hockey has, starts.  :

EDIT:
stuff

your kidding right?

 

[sober_ruski]

You saying they dont? Hmmmm... didnt see any Finnish players playing for Team Canada in the last Olympics

 

[Gimpy]

The Russian Ambassador had a great quote on this topic.

''If you insist I will ask personally President Putin to recreate the atmosphere of Cold War in August, but just for August,'' said Mamedov.

Another Summit Series wouldn't have nearly the same atmosphere as the original and thus be nowhere near as great.

 

[rz350]

Maybe they can combine the hockey game with a big ex for the Russian Forces? Get some SSBN's with Akula II escorts into our waters, some Bears and Blackjacks in the skies and some heavy tank and motor rifle regt's moving around ambiguously westward? Just for the duration of the games?

 

[midget-boyd91]

Maybe they can combine the hockey game with a big ex for the Russian Forces? Get some SSBN's with Akula II escorts into our waters, some Bears and Blackjacks in the skies and some heavy tank and motor rifle regt's moving around ambiguously westward? Just for the duration of the games?

Is all of this just to get back in the "spirit of the Cold War?" 

 

[rz350]

Exactly. To make the games that much better to watch .

 

[mckee19]

i would like to say that it might be a well fought series, just for the fact that Canada and Russia, cold war or not have always had a rival. It would be a matter of pride.

but with that being said i dont think that it will happen just for the fact that NHL teams are already worried about there players getting hurt or getting tired out over the course of a decently long NHL schedule.

 

[sober_ruski]

So screw those NHL pansies. Juniors are much more fun to watch anyways.

Maybe we'll get to see another team on team rumble on ice circa 1987

 

[mckee19]

kind of, i like watching Jr. hockey because there still playing for more then a pay check.
but NHL is the best hockey in the world to watch, even though they do complain about making millions of dollars a year and what not, there the best of the best.
dont get me wrong Jr. is still good hockey but does not really compare to the nhl

 

[sober_ruski]

Bingo. I'd rather watch a game where pride is one of the incentives to victory.

 

[lawandorder]

I'm sure the NHL guys would be playing.....I think it would be the only way people would tune in.  The NHL could do it at the all star break....instead of the All Star Game....

 

[mckee19]

I'm sure the NHL guys would be playing.....I think it would be the only way people would tune in.  The NHL could do it at the all star break....instead of the All Star Game....

they could but the whole idea behind this is to celebrate the anniversary of the summit series, having it during the allstar break would kind of defeat the point. Also what are other nations NHL players going to do?
i think this probably wont happen as i do beleive it is the World Championship year also, thats alot of hockey to be played by these guys

 

[mckee19]

my mistake 2007 is the womens world championships, 2008 is the mens

 

[sober_ruski]

they could but the whole idea behind this is to celebrate the anniversary of the summit series, having it during the allstar break would kind of defeat the point. Also what are other nations NHL players going to do?
i think this probably wont happen as i do beleive it is the World Championship year also, thats alot of hockey to be played by these guys

Oh noes, they'd be playing to much hockey... must be really hard, eh  :