Sure, Canada is taking plenty of shots on the world stage over their Olympic performance in Vancouver. The latest debacle, the U.S. 5-3 win over Canada in men’s hockey, only leaves the home crowd even more frustrated.
The pressure on Team Canada was probably suffocating at times. You actually see this in hockey quite a bit. A favorite or heavy favorite starts to press a little too hard after a period if the “underdog” has hung tight.
As I write this, I’m reminded that, on this day 30 years ago, the United States pulled off the “Miracle on Ice”, the epic 4-3 win over the Soviet Union.
Best Part of the Miracle On Ice? Bubble Hockey. Even at 75 cents a game.
This not only lead to endless dreaming during a very trying time in our country but also to this: the Super Chexx USA-USSR bubble hockey games that are still found in a few places even in 2010. Back in the heyday of 1980, those establishments were called “pizza parlors”.
I, personally, am all through with the “Miracle of Ice” anniversaries. Ten years ago, I was just starting out in Duluth at KDLH-TV and, for the 20th of the MOI, we had plenty of local angles to the story. “Miracle” came out a couple years later. Herb Brooks died in that car crash near St. Paul, leading to more looking back on 1980. Plus, add in YouTube and anyone can find the footage of the Americans vs. Soviets showdown on Lake Placid. However, I never get tired of seeing Al Michaels in that blue sweater, calling the game.
A couple of weeks back, I was talking with my son about “Oh Canada”, the national anthem to our fine neighbors (neighbours?) to the north. I’ll admit that I don’t know all the words but I will maintain it’s still a cool song.
For anyone who really wants a rousing rendition of the Canadian National Anthem, I’ve included this.
Not many playoff wins but I LOVE the green Coyotes jersey.
Winnipeg.
1996.
The Winnipeg Jets, the ultimate “small market”, spent most of the 1995-96 season knowing they would be moving to Phoenix. Winnipeg didn’t have the cash to keep the Jets (this was a major problem at the time as the CDN held far less exchange value to USD than in 2010). This video is from the Jets’ final regular season home game. The fans are screaming during the last national anthem they’ll hear for the Winnipeg Jets before the playoffs.
What sounded like a great move at the time – the Jets to Phoenix, a growing, bursting American market – didn’t quite work out as planned.
The Coyotes developed incredible logos and hot-selling jerseys (I like the green one myself) but in May 2009, the franchise filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Uff-da.
Get Winnipeg another team.
