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PRESS ROOM 1974: Game 2
When It Is Hot On the Ice
Vladislav Tretiak's Diaries 1974
by Vladislav Tretiak
September 1974
Toronto
September 19. Toronto is often called a hockey
capital of Canada. Everybody worships hockey here.
Like two years ago, we lost here by 1-4.
It is such a strange thing. After the first game,
a lot of our players, especially the defense players,
got a scolding from the coaches. One would imagine
that it should have made them play more responsible
with a maximum of their potential.
And what happened then? I am still trying to figure
out why our defensemen failed so badly. The game
conditions were certainly unusual for us. The ice
rink is much smaller here. The guys are used to
play wide. They like to carry the puck behind the
net, to do passing.
Here, there is no freedom for maneuvering. For
some reason, neither Vasiliev nor Gusev backed each
other up behind the net.
What happened then? You saw it with your own eyes.
In the intermission after the second period, I
told Loktev:
"I don't know if I have enough strength to
finish the game."
"Hang on a bit, Vladik," answered Loktev.
I entered the ice and felt that I didn't get a
chance to get rested at all.
And what do you think… In the openning seconds
of the period, determined like a furious bull, McKenzie
broke away into our zone. I got focused on the game
right away and forgot about everything else.
I was watching McKenzie. By the swing of his stick
and by looking into his his eyes, I was trying to
figure out what direction he is going to shoot the
puck at...
I blocked his shot. Then it went on again and again.
Another shot... Blocked... One more... Deflected...
To be honest with you, Team Canada attacks in
our end wasn't very effective. They managed to penetrate
the zone and then shot the puck right at me.
Mind my advice but why not to try to beat me, pull
me out of the net and then score.
No, they were going one-on-one and then were loading
a full blast at me. It was as if they wanted to
shoot the puck through me. That's what we call a
straightforward style.
In the locker room, I collapsed on the bench.
It was over. I was tired to death.
Why didn't Canadian referee Brown allow Petrov's
goal last night? On a flight from Toronto to Winnipeg,
I asked Brown if he was objective in his decision.
"Don't even ask please," said Canadian
official. "I feel really bad about it. Out
of 20,000 people at the stadium, I was only one
not to see the goal."
Overall, our guys didn't over react. We are used
to the fact that official's decision is a law.
Just out of curiosity, what would have been a Canadian
players' response had it happened to them?
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