What’s Russian For “We Still Own Your Ass, Biotch”?

A few months ago, Russian goaltending legend Vladislav Tretiak suggested that a second Summit Series might be a fun way to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the glorious original. Because the thought of a 65 year old Phil Esposito hobbling and wheezing his way up the left wing boards, jowls flapping in the wind, pretty much gave everybody a raging case of the dry-heaves, the idea was mercifully spiked.

Undeterred, the International Ice Hockey Federation, never one to turn its back on easy money its rich history organized the Super Series, an 8 game exhibition series between the respective U-20 teams as a cash grab tribute. Both hockey pundits who were paying attention immediately leapt to the conclusion that Canada was going to get pasted because their guys had been in camp since May, MAY! and had already played some exhibition games against teams from the Russian elite league. Our guys? Three months of extra butter on the popcorn while watching Slapshot.

The predictable result thus far? We are kicking their collective commie asses, following up Monday’s 4-2 win with a 3-0 shutout today. Somewhere, Paul Henderson’s botox is smiling. But a word of caution here kids. 35 years ago, the original started this exact way, with the home team losing the first two. We all know how that ended.

Just to be on the safe side, can we borrow that stick Mr. Clarke?

Canada Keeps On Cruisin’ [Sportsnet.ca]
The Noise You Hear Is Valeri Karlamov’s Scream Of Impotent Fury [Five For Smiting]

Update: Well, it's now the eve of Game 7 and we're up...6-0. From what I've watched of this series, an eight game sweep is not out of the question. If this had happened in '72, the entire history of soviet Russia may have turned out completely different. A rather succinct summary of the general feeling around this series can be found here.