Game 1 prediction

My story actually starts in 1969. My father took me to see the Soviet Nats play the Canadian amateur team at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Despite being badly outplayed by the Soviets, the Canadian Nats prevailed 3-2. MLG was packed. I remember being quite impressed by the Soviet teams skill and team play. Fast forward 3 years later to the afternoon of Sept 2, 72. Our family was out for a lunch and all we talked about was game 1 in Montreal. My Dad was all over it proclaiming a huge Canadian win and an 8 game sweep. He turned to me and asked “what do you think.” All I could think about was what I had seen 3 years earlier. A Soviet team that was highly skilled and fast. So I blurted out “I think the Russians take game 1, 5-3.” All I heard next was laughter from my dad and family. I think they must have been thinking “what does this 12 year old kid know?!” When we took a quick 2-0 first period lead my father looked at me “I told you!!” I didn’t say a word. Once Kharlamov scored in period 2 to give the Soviets their 1st lead 3-2, the shock started to set in. By the end, we were in complete disbelief! 7-3! Well, not everyone was surprised 😉

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