Super Series II?
Vancouver Province February 13, 1987

Quebec City - Obviously bouyant at their opening victory over the Russians at Rendez-Vous 87, the Canadian players seem to be starting a lobby for another 8 game series - Canada vs. the Soviet Union.

Wayne Gretzky, the driving force behind the idea, Mark Messier and Dale Hawerchuk were all thumbing the tub yesterday about how much of a challenge it would be to involve themselves in such a series. While sceduling problems always present the greatest hurdle, the players' deportment twoards a home-and-home series to be one barricade which has already been knocked down.

"I don't want to be knocking other countries, but let's face it, people want to see Canada against the Soviets," said Gretzky. "I'd love for once in my career to have an eight game series like they did in '72

"It would be a much better test for both teams than this series. There would be problems putting it together, naturally, but one day before I retire I'd like to be part of it."

"A guy would have to be crazy not to be involved in a competition of that magnitude where so much comes into play," said Hawerchuk, who was outstanding in the 4-3 NHL win.

"Of course we may not be able to produce the storybook ending of the '72 series, but it would be great playing with guys like this for eight games. It would be a lot of pressure, but that would be secondary to the competition."

Messier, who had to restrain his normally barbaric play to avoid penalties Wednesday, would also welcome such a series.

"Look at the emotion you build up during a Stanley Cup series," he says. "That's exactly what it would be like, only at a higher level.

"Look at how the last series went. It started out to be nice and friendly on our part and after four or five games there was so much intensity it was like a time bomb.

"there would be an endurance factor which would come into play. There would be an intimidation factor, which we can't use in a short series like this. Both power plays are pretty good, so nobody can take penalties in a short series. But in one game of a one series, you might go out and hit a bit."

While defenceman Doug Wilson says he may not be young enough to be involved, he favors the idea.

"I know a lot of guys consider that '72 series to be the highlight of their career and I know the highlight of mine so far has been the '84 Canada Cup. I may be too old for something that demanding, but if they asked me..."

While many of the Canadians favor a longer series, Gretzky for one is glad he won't have to play in the Olympics.

"If they said its all right to go ahead and play in them, fine, I'd go, " he says. "But as long as there is Canada Cup, the world champinships, Rendez-Vous and all the rest, I'm just as content to let somebody else have the opportunity to go and do it. What I'm doing now is enough.