Which was the greater hockey story, the 1972 Summit Series or the 1980 Olympics’ “Miracle on Ice”?

Do we really need to choose?  Is it possible to say that both of these great hockey tales hold the same kind of sway over Canadians and Americans, respectively, though in two completely different contexts?

The eight games played between Canada and the U.S.S.R. in 1972 – forever known as the Summit Series - ended up being one of the greatest international hockey competitions ever contested, and certainly Canada’s definitive sporting event.  Games 6, 7 & 8 in Moscow were among the most exciting hockey games that I have ever seen!  Even 40 years later you can still feel the tension just pulling out the DVDs and watching these legendary Canadian and Russian competitors getting crushed up against the wire fence (!) atop the boards surrounding the ice.

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