THE CANADIAN PRESS
Paul Henderson scored the Soviet slayer and Sidney Crosby potted the Olympic golden goal: two hockey moments that saw Canadians collectively bounce off sofas and bar stools across the land.
But which goal will go down as Canada’s biggest of all time?
Henderson, who whacked home a loose puck to clinch the Summit Series at the height of the Cold War, says it all comes down to how badly your country despises its opponent.
That’s where he thinks his goal might have the edge.
He says the country wanted to beat the mysterious Russians of 1972 much more than it did the U.S. Olympic silver medallists of 2010.
"A different time, different era," Henderson told The Canadian Press in an interview.
"It’s kind of tough to get really riled up against (the Americans), but you have no problem getting riled up against the Russians.
"When Canada plays Russia … I think that’s when our patriotic spirit really kicks in."
Playing in Moscow, Henderson’s winner — dubbed the goal of the century — gave Team Canada a 4-3-1 record in the eight-game showdown against the U.S.S.R.
The country virtually stood still as anxious Canadians watched the final on TV from the edge of their seats.
"There just seems to be something, and especially in ’72, they were an unknown commodity," he said of the Soviets.
Last February — nearly 38 years later — Crosby zipped a puck past U.S. goalie Ryan Miller in overtime to win Olympic gold, marking another one of Canada’s greatest hockey achievements.
"I think this generation … needed something like that," Henderson said of Crosby’s winner at the Vancouver Winter Games.
"There’s a whole generation that wasn’t even alive when I scored mine."
But comparing style points, Henderson says it’s not even close — Crosby’s finish was far prettier.
"I couldn’t even score it the first time, I had to get a rebound," said Henderson, whose Summit Series jersey fetched more than $1 million last week at an auction.
"Crosby — talk about being a better hockey player — the guy buried it cleanly, I couldn’t even see him shoot it. So in terms of good goals, Crosby’s was a lot better goal than mine."
Even after several decades, people still stop Henderson to tell him where they were when he scored in ’72.
But Henderson didn’t even see Crosby’s winner live because the professional motivational speaker was busy addressing a marriage conference in Victoria.
During a lunch break, Henderson watched the second and third periods with a room full of screaming hockey fans. He thought the Olympic title was in the bag until the plucky Americans climbed back and tied it up.
Right before overtime started, he went back to work for an afternoon session in front of about 150 people.
His first order of business was to ask the audience if anyone had an iPod or a radio on them.
"I said, ‘If Canada scores, just jump up and tell us,’ but I said, ‘If the U.S. scores, please don’t say a word,’ " Henderson recalled.
"So we were about 10 minutes into the talk and a lady yells: ‘Crosby scores for Canada!’ "
Henderson said the room erupted in cheers and the next thing he knew he was leading a singalong of O Canada.
"We went nuts," he said.
"I’ve never led a singsong in my life and so obviously we were excited about it and it was a very patriotic moment."
