Exceptional Defense.
The best defense is a strong offense, as long as you have a superstar goalie protecting your net. Many fondly remember Jim Craig, the Boston University-student who was the remarkable young goalie for the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” US Olympic Team. Arguably one of the most intense and emotional hockey games in history, Craig took a fierce barrage of shots on goal from the Russians in that history-defining game - and saved 36 of the 39 shots. That unbelievable and pivotal 4-3 win over The Soviet Union in Lake Placid, NY was much more than a hockey game that day. It was a miracle on ice that fundamentally changed the psychology of America and the world. Sometimes, a game is more than a game.
Although lacrosse is the official sport of Canada, the game of hockey is central to the heart and soul of the country. During the long, dark and cold Northern winters, hockey is the focus and conversation at most dinner tables and Tim Horton coffee shops. The game originated in Windsor, Nova Scotia around 1799 at King’s College; Canada’s first college. Nova Scotians innovated the game on ice ponds and very early added the stick, net, wooden puck, game rules, and hockey skates. The Starr Manufacturing Company of Halifax patented hockey skates in 1866 for both Canadian and American markets. In early 1875, the Boston Evening Gazette wrote a story about winter sports in Nova Scotia and highlighted the game of hockey. By the 1850s the game arrived in Montreal from Nova Scotia and there were many neighborhood teams organized and competing on Saturday afternoons. It started to draw large crowds of spectators standing in the cold to watch an exciting, physical game of hockey. The game captured the imaginations of both the young and old of the city; it brought people together for a common interest.
On March 3, 1875 Montreal hosted the first championship game between two teams inside the Victoria Skating Rink. By the late 1880s, a young brother and sister in Montreal loved attending hockey games - and eventually convinced their father to attend with them. Their father, Lord Frederick Stanley, the Governor General of Canada, soon appreciated the game so much that he donated a lavish silver cup to the winner of the 1894 Championship Game between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Generals. Lacking creativity, the trophy was simply referred to as The Stanley Cup. After almost 150 years, the National Hockey League now has 31 teams across Canada and the United States, and generates almost $6 billion per year in revenue. Montreal remains the league’s champion with 24 NHL Stanley Cups under their belt; the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are not too far behind them. More than 1,300 names are now engraved on the NHL Stanley Cup.
One of the most recognizable paintings in Canada is “At the Crease (Classic Goalie)” by Ken Danby. His famous painting is a national treasure and captures the lonely moment of a goalie at the net. My mom went to high school with Danby, and he was a very nice man and amazing artist who inspired a number of remarkable works over his lifetime. Many hockey fans both north and south of the 49th Parallel enjoy quoting stats and debating who are the greatest goalies in NHL history!? Ken Dryden, Jacques Plate, Marty Turco, or Patrick Roy? As a Colorado Avalanche fan, Patrick Roy is definitely a favorite. However, I am convinced that Marty Turco, the former Dallas Stars goalie, is arguably the best goalie ever. He is from my hometown in Canada, and many years ago Marty quietly donated his limited time one afternoon to provide my young nephew and a small group of his friends an exceptional playing and coaching experience on the ice. There was no fanfare or recognition. Turco generously invested time that afternoon at a local hockey rink playing goalie in the net for those young boys. Here they were playing against one of the greatest NHL goalies in the league at the time. One of the fathers played goalie in the other net and they enjoyed quite a game of hockey - completely out of sight from the rest of the world.
That is what a miracle on ice is all about – inspiring young minds. Investing time and demonstrating care to encourage other young people. Just like how the game of hockey captured the imaginations of Lord Stanley’s children. This is what the sport is all about. These are the great ones who truly make the game great. A great offense requires an exceptional defense.