Prior to 1972, Canada was restricted to sending amateur players to international events, allowing the formidable Soviet team to dominate the Olympics.

Fans and players viewed the eight-game hockey tournament as a proxy war for ideological supremacy between Western democracy and Soviet communism.

Henderson achieved legendary status by scoring the game-winning goals in the final three games, clinching the series with just 34 seconds left on the clock.

During game six, Clarke deliberately fractured the ankle of Soviet star Valeri Kharlamov, severely limiting his play and shifting momentum to Canada.