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PRESS ROOM 1974: Sweden vs. Team
Canada
Dagens Nyheter
(Sweden)
September 29, 1974
Gothenburg, Sweden
The respect for the Canadians is huge as soon as
they're equipped
with a
pair of
skates and a stick.
This was exactly the scenario in front of a full
packed (12,273)
Scandinavium arena.
The blue-yellow team lost 3-4 and the guests layed
ground to the
triumph
in the
beginning when the respect was at its peak.
The stars from the WHA jumped to a quick 3-0 lead
in the 1st period
and
then didn't
have to play hard until at the end of the game.
During a couple of lucky minutes late in the 3rd
period Tord
Lundstrom
made it 2-3
and Mats Ahlberg 3-3. Then the pros showed their
class.
36-year old Frank Mahovlich scored the game winner,after
Billy Harris
team
suddenly
showed that they can increase the pace if necessary.
They opened the scoring with a rocketshot from Bobby
Hull and then
scored
another one
on a deflection from "Iron grandpa" Gordie
Howe. The end of the game
saved
us from a
totally one sided result.
After tonights game it's still as surprising as
it was in 1972 that
Canada
can match up to the
Soviets. There can only be one explanation to it:
These professionals just see the games against Sweden
(and Finland)
as a
tune up.
It's the game against the Russians that is their
only focus and goal.
It was in the little details that the guests showed
their greatness.
They for example had no difficulties in steering
the game into a
tempo
that suited them
and then to break out for fast counter attacks.
Two goals,1-0 and 4-3
came
after these
fast breaks.
Mike Walton's 2-0 goal was the result of their
great ability to pick
up
rebounds. When they made
it 3-0 they showed their effectiveness in the powerplay.
Dan
Labraaten had
barely made
his way to the penalty box before Gordie Howe beat
"Honken"
Holmqvist.
All the five Canadians only had one thing in mind
at that time..the
puck
must go in...
We couldn't resist against the tremendous pressure
against our goal
during
the powerplay.
46-year old Gordie Howe looked like a 20-year old
kid out there.
Besides his play on the powerplay he impressed mightily
with his fine
positional awareness
on the ice as well as his agility and quickness
for a man his age.
Goalie Gerry Cheevers who was in goal for the
first 30 minutes was
the
teams brightest star
in this game and I suspect that he will be the key
player in the
remaining
games against the
Soviets.
But even his collegue in the Swedish goal, "Honken"
has to be
credited for
his fine performance.
Considering the time of the season the "Tre
Kronor" (Three Crowns -
Sweden) played a good
game. The manager "Sura-Pelle" Pettersson
has to be especially
content
with the play of
Willy Lindstrom,Mats Lindh and Tord Lundstrom.
These three players even played well in the beginning
when the
respect by
most teammates
was so obvious. Evidently we need these games against
the Canadians
so
some of the
players can disregard any doubts about their own
ability.
From this perspective the professionals "guest
appearances" fill an
important role.
Europe has still a lot to learn from the original
hockey country.
We really hope to see these games annually.
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