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The Soviets had long ago set
a goal of becoming the best in the hockey world. Throughout
the 1970s they had proved they were almost equal to the best
from the NHL, if not equal nor better. But they never had
that decisive blow to the NHL to symbolically indicate their
ascent to the top of the hockey world.
That changed on February 11,
1979, as the Soviets blew away the NHL All Stars 6-0 in the
finale of the Challenge Cup.
One reporter refused to call
it a game, instead referring to it as a clinic put on by the
Soviet players. They were better in every aspect of the game
- skating, stickhandling, shooting, goaltending, you name
it.
The Soviets pulled off a huge
surprise at the beginning of the game by benching their
living legend Vladislav Tretiak in favor of the unknown (in
North American especially) Vladimir Myshkin in nets. It was
clever ploy by coach Viktor Tikhonov, who figured the team
would feel the pressure to play their most perfect game if
they had the inexperienced Myshkin behind them instead of
Tretiak.
The NHL also made a
goaltending change, bringing in Gerry Cheevers to replace
Ken Dryden. Cheevers, who allowed 6 goals on 19 shots,
admittedly played "terrible," though it made no
difference since the NHL All Stars couldn't get a single
puck past Myshkin.
A dejected Gerry Cheevers
following the 6-0 loss. "It wasn't his fault at
all," said Bobby Clarke, accurately.
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Soviet
National Team captain Boris Mikhailov raises the
1979 Challenge Cup Trophy at center ice of Madison
Square Garden. Mikhailov would later gloat -
specifically to Alan Eagleson - Soviets No. 1,
Canada No. 2