Five great Russian moments at the World Championships

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2002

By Lucas Aykroyd

Russian hockey fans have music in their hearts today as they await the result of tonight’s gold medal clash between their team and Slovakia. Here are five great Russian moments at the World Championships.

1: Let’s Get This Party Started

Russia beats Canada 7-2 before a Swedish audience of 16,000 in 1954 to capture its first gold medal ever at the IIHF World Championships. Forward Vsevolod Bobrov is named the tournament’s top forward.

2: Fields Of Gold

Despite a late two-goal rally by Canada, the Soviets hold on for a 4-2 win and receive the gold medal when Czechoslovakia defeats Sweden 4-2 at the 1963 championships in Stockholm. The Soviets will retain possession of the gold through 1971.

3: Top Of The World

The men with CCCP on their jerseys fire 100 goals (a tournament record) and allow only eighteen en route to a perfect 10-0 record to re-establish Russian hockey supremacy at the 1973 World Championships in Moscow.

4: All Together Now

The Soviets win the gold medal at the 1983 tournament in West Germany with a record of 9-0-1 and a goal differential of 54-10. They also sweep the tournament all-star team selections, with Vladislav Tretiak in goal, Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov on defense, and Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov at forward.

5: Beautiful Day

On May 11, 2002, Russia claims its first medal at the IIHF World Championships since winning gold in 1993 in Munich.