1977 - WC - Canada’s Eric Vail takes major penalty against Soviets in Medal Round

Canada was playing their best hockey at the start of the medal round and were tied 1-1 with the Soviet Union near the end of the first period. But, Eric Vail of the NHL’s Atlanta Flames took a major penalty and the Soviets quickly scored 2 goals at the start of the second period. Canada unravelled with an embarrassing 8-1 loss. ~ Canada was the most penalized team during the 1977 World Championships and their poor penalties were the major reason for their lopsided losses to the Soviet Union. The Soviet’s seemed to have developed a successful strategy against Canada. They’d draw Canada into undisciplined penalties and counter with their effective power play. Obviously, the violent tactics Canada used against the Soviets backfired and failed. Because of those vital losses to the Soviets, Canada finished in 4th place and went home without a medal. _ _ _ This video commemorates Canada’s mixed results and the legacy of the 1977 World Championship