It’s official. Canada has gone completely mad. Hockey mad, that is.
HHOF's Ron Ellis Displays Crosby's Golden Goal Puck
TSJ was on hand Wednesday at Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame to witness a whopping crowd of about 100 rabid fans and media for the unveiling of the puck used to score arguably the biggest goal in Canadian hockey history – Sidney Crosby’s momentous Gold Medal Game Winning Overtime Goal vs. Team USA at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. The puck becomes the crown jewel of the HHOF’s ‘Double Gold Exhibit’, a tribute to both Canada’s Men’s and Women’s gold medal winning teams from these past Winter Games.
Those in attendance were pretty much unanimous in proclaiming Sid the Kid’s marker as the new #1 on Canada’s all-time list of biggest goals. But Ron Ellis – who was on hand for the unveiling and was once a member of Team Canada himself – offered an interesting take on why he feels Paul Henderson’s legendary goal vs. Russia to win the ‘72 Summit Series still stands up today as this country’s most important hockey moment.
For the record, TSJ’s vote for Canada’s #1 all-time goal goes to Crosby. His goal not only clinched gold for Canada in Men’s Hockey against the best the world had to offer (not just Russia), but it also gave Canada a Winter Olympic record 14th gold medal and basically clinched victory for Canada for the overall 2010 Olympic title on their own home soil.
Henderson's Goal Slips to #2 in TSJ's Rankings
However, Crosby’s goal also stands for something much more. It represented hockey played in its purest form at the highest of standards. The 2010 Olympic tournament, up to and including the memorable Gold Medal classic, showcased the games’ greats playing hockey as it was meant to be played – with incredible speed, skill and toughness, while maintaining a respect for one’s opponent so often lacking in the sport today. On the other hand, the ‘72 Summit Series rallying point was based inherently on a hatred toward the Russians during what was then the Cold War Era. You could even argue that Team Canada resorted to dirty play and breaking the rules (ie. Bobby Clarke’s slash which broke Valeri Kharlamov’s ankle) to help propel them to victory after realizing they couldn’t outskill their Soviet counterparts. Henderson’s goal perhaps secured the gutsiest of victories for Canada, but certainly not the most dignified. That honour belongs to the 2010 Gold Medal winning squad.
What do you think? Is Paul Henderson’s goal from ‘72 still worthy of retaining its hold on top spot, or has Crosby’s Overtime ‘10 Olympic Golden Goal finally supplanted it as Canada’s biggest goal ever? Cast your vote!
I think it depends how old you were. If you were around in 1972 and not 3 years old (as was I), then I think the 72 moment would be the biggest goal in Canadian history… anyone too young to remember is going to lean towards Crosby’s.
Actually, the biggest goal in Canadian history was neither Henderson’s nor Crosby’s… it was Parish’s against Berlin to secure a 9 – 2 Bubble Hockey win on Friday, March 5th, 2010… (let’s not talk about the other 10 games played that day).
You know that poll on the site just made me remember how happy I was watching that Gretzky – Lemieux rush at the 87 Canada cup. All 3 goals are huge.
Henderson’s was number 1. It won a series like no other. whereas Sidney’s goal was the winning goal in another overtime game vs the americans. no comparison
It’s true – that Bubble hockey goal was pretty epic. I’m still learning towards Sid.
Crosby goal hands down is the biggest as mentioned it was the best tournament on the biggest stage and for an olympic gold medal. It was not an exhibition series it was the best of the worlds going for the ultimate prize. Pure class and intense hockey, nobody resorted to baseball swing slashes to break legs it was in your face hard hitting clean hockey. I would say hendersons goal as a slight edge as number 2 over Lemieuxs goal in 87.