Notes from a lunch with Lester Pearson, two months before his death 50 years ago In October 1972, my friend Dick O’Hagan invited me to a small lunch at the U of T faculty club with former prime minister Lester Pearson. Accompanied by Maryon Pearson, he was in his usual Read more…
My review of books about the 1972 Canada-Russia hockey Super Summit — and what it was like being there, from Montreal to Moscow. OCTOBER 2022 The Bear and the Beaver Eight games, one goal Robert Lewis Most Canadians in their late fifties and beyond remember where they were when it Read more…
Our story went to press two days after the final game see a repeat of the Team Canada-Soviet format in a couple of years, but the N.H.L. already has other plans. In an end-run around Eagleson, N.H.L. President Clarence Campbell struck a deal in Moscow that may have the Soviet Read more…
A win, if not victory, with 34 seconds left in Game 8 September 28 Game 8 (filing from Moscow) My original report for TIME [Sixteen million Canadians and 100 million Russians tuned in for Game 8 in the aptly named Super Series. They were not disappointed. It had all the Read more…
When Canada’s best took on the Russians, it was a Cold War on — and off —the ice. In the summer of 1972 Time magazine assigned me, the Toronto bureau chief, to cover an eight-game hockey series between a select team of NHL stars and the best players of Read more…
The Team Behind The “Must” Win My original report to TIME magazine September 26 Game 7 (filing from Moscow) The Cold War on ice comes down to the final 60 minutes of play after tonight’s game. On the strength of their lucky 4-3 victory Tuesday night, the Canadians not only Read more…
Facing Elimination, Canada Digs Deep September 24, 1972 Game 6 (filing from Moscow) When Phil Esposito was introduced Sunday night, he clutched the side boards with mock fear as he skated forward to accept the warm applause, homage to his spill in game 5. His teammates showed similar attention to Read more…
Canada is One Game From Defeat Game 5 September 22 Luzhniki Sports Palace (filing from Moscow) Phil Esposito’s spill at centre ice during the pre-game ceremony surely was an omen, even if he ended with a gracious bow to the laughing fans. True to form, “Team Fade” fell on its Read more…