Super Series it Wasn't

The Canada Russia Super Series has been and gone but it was far from a super series. This years edition was commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series but was far from living up to the standards of the original contest. Canada won 7 of the 8 games fairly easily while tying the other one.

The series opened on Monday August 27 with a 4-2 Canada win. Two days later Canada shut out their Russian rivals 3-0. The series then switched venues (from Ufa, Russia to Omsk, Russia) for back to back games in which Canada was victorious in both, 6-2 & 4-2, to return to Canadian soil leading the series four games to none.

Their winning ways continued at home as Canada was dominant in Winnipeg on September 4 winning 8-1 and again the next day in Saskatoon winning that game 4-1. The only non victory came in game seven in Red Deer when Russia opened the game with a 2-0 lead. Canada fought back and ended the game knotted at four. The eighth and final game moved still further west to British Columbia on September 9. Canada remained undefeated as they beat Russia 4-1.

With the unexciting contests this year, one should wonder if there is any point continuing with these meaningless series. It is obvious Russia does not care too much about this event as they rarely send their best players so why bother continuing. Can the Canadians even be happy with winning when the competition is far from equal? The real contest comes around Christmas time with the World Juniors so if, at the end of that tournament, Canada is hoisting that trophy, us Canadians can be proud and applaud the efforts as that tournament consists of the best junior players in the world. The 2007 Canada Russia super series, in my eyes, was nothing more than a series of meaningless exhibition games against mediocre Russian players and nothing to be too proud about. All I can say is it’s good team Canada didn’t lose.