APA 2702 cours 10 - Le phénomène Maurice Richard et la série du siècle de 1972 (2)

Page 1

Introduction

• Title: Maurice Richard and the Century Series of 1972 in Canadian sports history.

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A National Hero

• Maurice Richard transcended his role as a hockey player, becoming a national hero for French Canadians.

• Represents success and resistance against oppression.

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Context in the 1940s and 1950s

• Only 12 French Canadians in the NHL; limited representation in business and public service.

• Considered "cheap labor" in society.

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Role of Maurice Richard

• Significant not only for his on-ice achievements but for symbolizing the typical attributes of French Canadians in the 1950s.

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Early Life

• Born on August 4, 1921, in Montreal; eldest of eight siblings.

• Learned to skate at age five on a frozen lake.

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Joining the Canadiens

• Joined the Montreal Canadiens in 1942 but was hindered by injuries, playing only 16 games that season.

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The Punch Line

• In 1943, Richard played with Elmer Lach and Hector 'Toe' Blake, known as the Punch Line, famous for scoring.

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Stanley Cup Playoffs

• In 1944, scored all five goals in a crucial playoff game against the Maple Leafs.

• The Punch Line amassed 48 points including Richard's 12 goals.

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Breaking Records

• Achieved a 44-goal season record on February 15, 1945.

• First player in NHL history to score 50 goals in 50 games on March 18, 1945.

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Blacklisted Player

• Richard was targeted for criticism due to his outspoken views against discrimination in sports.

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Controversial Column

• In a column, criticized the NHL for its treatment of player Bernard Geoffrion and denounced officials.

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Censorship Seek

• NHL officials pressured to silence Richard's column, leading to a public declaration of his censorship.

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Fight in Boston

• On March 13, 1955, during a game against the Bruins, Richard engaged in a fight, leading to a suspension.

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Severe Suspension

• NHL President Clarence Campbell imposed a suspension for Richard for the rest of the season.

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Campbell's Statement

• Publicized comments emphasized the need for strict disciplinary standards in hockey.

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Riot at the Forum

• Following Richard's suspension, a tense match occurred, leading to chaos and a riot aimed at Campbell.

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Riot Eruption

• Amidst escalating tensions, the police evacuated the arena due to safety concerns.

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Outside Protests

• Protesters outside the arena demonstrated against Campbell's suspension decision.

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Aftermath of the Riot

• Significant damage to the Forum and surrounding businesses was reported immediately after the riot.

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Richard's Call for Calm

• The next day, Richard appealed for calm through a radio address, accepting his penalty.

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Stanley Cup Outcome

• The Red Wings won the Stanley Cup against the Canadiens in seven games.

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Media Response

• English media in Montreal criticized Richard and the rioters, contrasting perspectives on his legacy.

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Richard's Return

• In 1956, returned to help Canadiens clinch the Stanley Cup, which he received from Campbell.

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Symbol of Pride

• Richard's courage and determination made him a source of pride for French Canadians.

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Political Undertones

• His struggle against NHL's English authorities reflected the broader socio-political struggle of French Canadians.

Page 26

Hall of Fame

• Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961, a year after retirement.

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National Recognition

• Awarded the Order of Canada in 1967.

Page 28

Coaching Attempt

• Briefly coached the Quebec Nordiques in 1972, resigning without pay.

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Cultural Reflection

• Poet Félix Leclerc honored Richard, portraying his influence in Quebec society.

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Tribute

• Richard received a historic 16-minute ovation during his last appearance at the Forum in 1996.

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Star Commemoration

• In 1999, his name was commemorated with a star on the Walk of Fame in Toronto.

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Maurice Richard Trophy

• Introduced by the Montreal Canadiens in 1999; awarded to the top scorer in the NHL.

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Television Series

• A series about Maurice Richard aired in 1999, highlighting his life.

Page 34

Passing

• Maurice Richard died on May 27, 2000, from abdominal cancer.

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State Funeral

• Richard received a state funeral, an honor rare for athletes, on May 29, 2000.

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Media Coverage

• French media portrayed Richard as a hero, while English outlets focused on his hockey achievements.

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New Statue

• In June 2001, a statue was unveiled in his honor in Gatineau.

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Statue in Montreal

• Additional statue erected outside the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Page 39

Defining a Sport

• The "Century Series" reshaped modern hockey and highlighted Canadian identity.

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Importance of the Series

• The 1972 hockey tournament between Team Canada and the Soviet Army team became a pivotal historical event.

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Series Overview

• The series took place from September 2 to 28, 1972, featuring matches in Canada and Moscow.

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National Excitement

• The series captured national attention, affecting daily life significantly across Canada.

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National Identity

• Ice hockey played a key role in establishing a distinct Canadian identity.

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Promotion of Unity

• Trudeau's government aimed to use hockey to foster national unity.

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Political Implications

• The 1972 tournament held significant political connotations, promoting Canada’s image abroad.

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International Recognition

• Soviet interest in gaining international recognition arose from their matchups against Western countries.

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Cold War Context

• The post-WWII era saw a divide between Eastern and Western blocs, each led by superpowers.

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Cold War Tensions

• These tensions were marked by ideological conflicts between communist and liberal democracies.

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Competition on Ice

• Soviet teams became formidable rivals to Canadian and American teams during the Cold War.

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Soviet Dominance

• The Soviets achieved Olympic gold in multiple years, overshadowing Canada's performance.

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Canadian Setbacks

• Canada struggled in competitions, constrained by the amateur status of their players.

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Contrasting Playing Styles

• The Canadian style was robust and aggressive, while the Soviet approach emphasized finesse and precision.

Page 53

Coaching Perspectives

• Canadian coach Harry Sinden described hockey as an aggressive and physical sport.

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Soviet Hockey Style

• The Soviétiques valued fast-paced play and skillful puck control.

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Hockey Philosophies

• Differences between the two styles reflect broader cultural and institutional practices in Canada and the USSR.

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Historical Adoption

• Hockey was introduced in the USSR in 1946 after previous games were deemed inappropriate.

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Post-Revolutionary Stance

• Competitive sports were condemned after the October Revolution but resumed after WWII.

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Soviet Participation

• The USSR's first Olympic participation in ice hockey occurred in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956.

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Hockey as Propaganda

• Hockey in Russia was promoted for its individual performances under Stalin’s regime.

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Series Context

• The 1972 series must be seen within the larger historical narrative of Soviet hockey development.

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Documentary on Soviet Hockey

• Gabe Polsky's documentary focuses on the Soviet era's impact on hockey culture and performance.

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Intense Play

• The intensity and aggression displayed by Canadian players were pivotal to their success but also questioned.

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Media Influence

• Canadian journalists reinforced the narrative of physicality, impacting public perception.

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Player Absences

• Key players like Bobby Orr and Bobby Hull were unavailable for the series due to injuries or contractual issues.

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Soviet Understatement

• The Soviet team approached the series with humility, while Canadians expected an easy victory.

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Match 1 Overview

• September 2, 1972: USSR 7, Canada 3 at the Forum.

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Canadian Reaction

• The press reported national embarrassment, drawing parallels to historical conflicts with Russia.

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Match 2 Overview

• September 4, 1972: Canada 4, USSR 1 at Maple Leaf Gardens; Canadians took the game more seriously.

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Game 3 Results

• September 6, 1972: A 4-4 tie highlighted the series' competitive nature.

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Match 4 Review

• September 8, 1972: USSR 5, Canada 3; Canadian fans expressed disappointment at their team’s performance.

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Fan Sentiment

• Canadian knowledge of hockey led to criticism of poor sportsmanship despite scoring.

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Cultural Context

• Diverse factors explain the differences between Canadian and Soviet hockey styles, linked to socio-political structures.

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Match 5 Results

• September 22, 1972: USSR 5, Canada 4; Canada's position in the series becomes precarious.

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Match 6 Summary

• September 24, 1972: Canada narrowly defeated USSR 3-2; a significant injury hindered Soviet play.

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Match 7 Recap

• September 26, 1972: Canada edged out a win against the USSR in a gripping encounter.

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Final Match Setup

• The decisive eighth match scheduled for September 28, 1972; tension built around the outcome.

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The Ultimate Match

• Canada facing a 5-3 deficit in the third period needing a comeback.

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Critical Plays

• Key players scored in succession to equalize the game, increasing pressure.

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Historic Goal

• Paul Henderson scores a last-minute goal, securing victory for Canada and leaving a significant impact.

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Nationwide Reaction

• The win resonated widely; became one of Canada's most-watched television events ever.

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Media Celebration

• Canadian press celebrated the win as a unifying national moment; heightened pride.

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Emotional Significance

• The series fostered a sense of belonging and national identity like no other sporting event in Canadian history.

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Required Reading

• Monique De St-Martin's work and Pierre de Coubertin's memoirs recommended for further exploration.