Thursday, April 7, 2011

1974 Canada-U.S.S.R. Summit Series

The 1974 Summit Series was the second of two competitions between Soviet and Canadian professional hockey players. The 1972 series, dubbed "The Series of the Century", was narrowly won by Team Canada represented by National Hockey League (NHL) players. Canadian players, such as Bobby Hull "The Golden Jet" who had signed with the newly formed World Hockey Association (WHA), were banned from playing in the 1972 series.

In 1974, Canada was represented by WHA players instead of the NHL players. However, the WHA team was easily handled by the Soviets who won the series with four wins and three ties. Canada's lone victory came at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.


Gordie Howe (l) and Bobby Hull 1974 Team Canada teammates


Scotia Bank "Go Canada" Post Cards : 1972 and 1974

a) Canada-U.S.S.R. 1972

 Scotia Bank supported Team Canada by supplying "Go Canada" postcards at its branches which fans could mail to their favourite player when Team Canada was battling it out in the U.S.S.R.  The "Go Canada" card was addressed to Palace of Sports, Moscow, U.S.S.R.



 

1972 "Go Canada" post card mailed from Brockville to Peter Mahovlich, Moscow, September 14, 1972
10 cents international air mail post card rate


b) Canada - U.S.S.R. 1974

Scotia Bank again provided "Go Canada" postcards for the 1974 series.




1974 "Go Canada" post card mailed from Caledon to Bobby Hull, Moscow, September 25, 1974
10 cents international air mail post card rate