SUMMIT PART 2: Clash of the Titans

FORTUNES OF WAR

Gone were any traces of apprehension the Soviets had about competing against North American professionals. They could be justifiably proud of their 2-1-1 performance on hostile soil. The team took the following day off to visit the Vancouver Aquarium and the whale pool in Stanley Park.

That night, with the players confined to quarters, the Russian officials slipped out to find a meat market. Escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the party slipped into a nightclub and settled down to watch strippers and a troupe of drag queens who called themselves "The Fabulous Flakes."

One of the officials sent for the manager and asked him who the "women" were. "Russian draft dodgers," came the reply, greeted by hearty laughs. The group unwound by the stage, took in the show and drained $200 in champagne. At closing time, they left a table cluttered with glasses, empty bottles, and only $11 in tips.

Word of what happened never hit the press. The newsmen had believed the Soviets' official statement that the team was immediately leaving British Columbia because "there is nothing to do in Vancouver."

The Canadians, by contrast, withdrew and brooded. After Game 4, a group went out to a hotel bar for a few beers. As they sat in a corner and quietly talked among themselves, a number of the more intoxicated patrons began shouting out insults. For awhile the beleaguered players ignored their tormentors who, emboldened by the lack of response from Team Canada, approached their table and spouted off.

Immediately, Bill Goldsworthy and Wayne Cashman arose up in a flash of anger with clenched fists and were ready to beat the intruders to a bloody pulp. At the same time, however, Phil Esposito stood up and restrained his two teammates. Calmed down, but feeling bitter, the players got up and went home.

"I'm ashamed to be a Canadian," Goldsworthy told the newspapers on the following day. "After listening to those f------ fans, I'm disgusted."

Eagleson was so infuriated with the treatment of his players, that he vowed to do everything in his power to keep any future international competitions out of Vancouver. Accordingly, the future Canada Cup Series would not visit the Pacific Northwest until 1984.

Two days later, on September 12, the team returned to the Toronto Airport and boarded two chartered flights bound for Stockholm, Sweden. The brief rest had done nothing to improve morale. As the players trudged across the tarmac to their awaiting planes only a handful of well-wishers were there to see them off.

"We knew all the fun had vanished from the series," Henderson would later write in his book "Shooting for Glory," "All-out war stared us in the face."

1972 Summit Series
A 4 Part Series by Bruce Kish

Introduction

Part 1 - The Gauntlet Is Dropped

Part 2 - The Clash Of The Titans
         - Game 1 - Ambushed
         - Game 2 - Riposte
         - Game 3 - Stalemate
         - Game 4 - The Pendulum Swings
         - Fortunes of War

Part 3 - Fifty Against The World
         - Game 5 - Nadir
         - Game 6 - The Road Back
         - Game 7 - Holding On

Part 4 - Showdown
         - Game 8 Period One - Attack and Counter-Attack
         - Game 8 Period Two - On The Ropes
         - Game 8 Period Three - Countdown

Epilogue

	The 1972 Summit Series A 4 Part Series by Bruce Kish Brought to you buy Decisive- Action Sports SUMMIT PART 2: Clash of the Titans FORTUNES OF WAR Gone were any traces of apprehension the Soviets had about competing against North American professionals. They could be justifiably proud of their 2-1-1 performance on hostile soil. The team took the following day off to visit the Vancouver Aquarium and the whale pool in Stanley Park. That night, with the players confined to quarters, the Russian officials slipped out to find a meat market. Escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the party slipped into a nightclub and settled down to watch strippers and a troupe of drag queens who called themselves "The Fabulous Flakes." One of the officials sent for the manager and asked him who the "women" were. "Russian draft dodgers," came the reply, greeted by hearty laughs. The group unwound by the stage, took in the show and drained $200 in champagne. At closing time, they left a table cluttered with glasses, empty bottles, and only $11 in tips. Word of what happened never hit the press. The newsmen had believed the Soviets' official statement that the team was immediately leaving British Columbia because "there is nothing to do in Vancouver." The Canadians, by contrast, withdrew and brooded. After Game 4, a group went out to a hotel bar for a few beers. As they sat in a corner and quietly talked among themselves, a number of the more intoxicated patrons began shouting out insults. For awhile the beleaguered players ignored their tormentors who, emboldened by the lack of response from Team Canada, approached their table and spouted off. Immediately, Bill Goldsworthy and Wayne Cashman arose up in a flash of anger with clenched fists and were ready to beat the intruders to a bloody pulp. At the same time, however, Phil Esposito stood up and restrained his two teammates. Calmed down, but feeling bitter, the players got up and went home. "I'm ashamed to be a Canadian," Goldsworthy told the newspapers on the following day. "After listening to those f------ fans, I'm disgusted." Eagleson was so infuriated with the treatment of his players, that he vowed to do everything in his power to keep any future international competitions out of Vancouver. Accordingly, the future Canada Cup Series would not visit the Pacific Northwest until 1984. Two days later, on September 12, the team returned to the Toronto Airport and boarded two chartered flights bound for Stockholm, Sweden. The brief rest had done nothing to improve morale. As the players trudged across the tarmac to their awaiting planes only a handful of well-wishers were there to see them off. "We knew all the fun had vanished from the series," Henderson would later write in his book "Shooting for Glory," "All-out war stared us in the face." 1972 Summit Series A 4 Part Series by Bruce Kish Introduction Part 1 - The Gauntlet Is Dropped Part 2 - The Clash Of The Titans - Game 1 - Ambushed - Game 2 - Riposte - Game 3 - Stalemate - Game 4 - The Pendulum Swings - Fortunes of War Part 3 - Fifty Against The World - Game 5 - Nadir - Game 6 - The Road Back - Game 7 - Holding On Part 4 - Showdown - Game 8 Period One - Attack and Counter-Attack - Game 8 Period Two - On The Ropes - Game 8 Period Three - Countdown Epilogue