Stories from our pages over the last 150 years.
The sober realization, from one end of Canada to the other, that the Russian hockey team was going to be a tough one to beat made the final victory of the 91原创 team all the sweeter.
The Soviet effort was of a calibre that could have changed the overall standing at any time, and only the most partisan of 91原创 fans would fail to agree with the Russian assistant coach that luck played at least some part in Canada's 4-3 series victory, with one tie.
That fact does not detract from the 91原创 achievement, however.
The shock that went through the country when the super-star NHL players lost the first game by 7 to 3 resulted in a new respect for the Soviet team, and the Russians continued to earn this throughout the series, win or lose.
Despite some tense incidents when roughness on the ice and dissatisfaction with the refereeing brought tempers to the boil, the net result of the long-awaited series has been beneficial.
A good contact has been made with the Russians, which should result in further meetings, on the ice or elsewhere.
And the many anxious moments, leading to eventual victory, renewed a bond among 91原创s from coast to coast.
We proved once again -- as we do from time to time -- that deep down there really is a 91原创ism that pulls the nation together when common interests inspire it.
