European Elite vs Major Pro (1975-76 and 1976-77)

[Canadiens1958]

Interesting Comments

1976, Jan.4: Buffalo Sabres - Krylja Sovetov 12-6

Canadian Press: "The Buffalo victory was an unexpected break in the pattern of the current Soviet-National Hockey League series... Sabres general manager Punch Imlach had said before the game he was worried about his defence which was largely responsible for the team's record of only four wins and four ties in their last 15 games... Korab caught Yakushev with a couple of good checks early in the game. 'After that you didn't see him doing much', [Floyd] Smith said of the big Russian winger."

Jim Coleman, Calgary Herald: "Jerry Korab dismantled huge Aleksandr Yakushev with a board-check which rocked the foundations of the Memorial auditorium. While the Russians were pondering rude treatment of their great-winger, the Sabres took a three-goal lead in the first 11 minutes and 32 seconds. Overwhelmed by his early success, Korab took a rather stupid penalty for charging the same Yakushev...and the Wings managed to score their first goal just as Korab was ready to return to the ice. However, the Sabres forechecking confused the Soviets so completely that, really, the issue was beyond doubt by the time that Buffalo had established a remarkable 9-4 lead at the end of the first period... Kulagin pointed out, with considerable justice, that the Wings were baffled by Buffalo Auditorium's very small centre ice area. He said that long-striding players such as Yakushev couldn't get loose in the small centre ice area. Kulagin certainly had a point: The Montreal Canadiens, who love to free wheel like the Russians, never play one of their really top-form games in the Buffalo Auditorium."

Doug Gilbert, Montreal Gazette: "It is interesting that the two games the Soviet referees handled resulted in Russian wins and the two games with NHL officials in charge saw the home side with a big advantage in the play. This is not to suggest that the striped shirts did anything untoward, but it shows the different interpretation of the rules by the two countries. For instance, it is more than possible a European referee would have nailed the Buffalo Sabres for the force they used taking Alexander Yakushev into the boards in the first period. In that case, and don't forget boarding is a strict judgement call, Buffalo might have had to back off on its agressive hitting. It could have become a completely different game."

Dink Carroll, Montreal Gazette: "Canadian hockey fans were delighted at the ease with which the Sabres disposed of the Wings and this is no attempt to belittle their accomplishment. They worked hard and deserved to win. It is an attempt to point out that every game between an NHL team and one of the top Soviet teams is not necessarily a classic. The purists must have shuddered at some of the things they saw in that game..."

Boris Kulagin, Krylja coach: "We have never been so humiliated. Most goals ever scored against us in international competition before was nine. This, I have never seen before." On Rick Martin and Gilbert Perreault: "In my opinion they are the best players I have ever seen in my life in professional hockey." Quoted by the Canadian Press: "Kulagin said the Sabres deserved the win. They were a much better team than they appeared to be in their loss to Los Angeles last thursday. After watching the game against Los Angeles, the Wings became overconfident about their Buffalo opponent, said the Russian coach."

Floyd Smith, Sabres coach: "I thought the difference was in our skating. When there was a race Martin and Perreault could pull away from them."

Rick Martin, forward: "I'm glad that we're the first team to beat them. We've proven that we can beat them and let's just hope that they give us credit for showing that they can be beaten... It was worth all the hard work we did this week. It's also a matter of pride. We are the National Hockey League and we're supposed to be the best in the world."

The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search (P.33)
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search
The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search
The Bryan Times - Google News Archive Search
The Calgary Herald - Google News Archive Search
The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Kulagin's comment about the smaller Buffalo ice surface is very revealing as well as the comparison to the Montreal Canadiens being limited on the smaller Buffalo ice surface. Those who scoffed at the impact of the smaller rinks in Boston, Buffalo, Chicago and the impact on performance please take note.

That the Soviets scouted the opposition is also interesting. An advantage from a favourable schedule which allowed them to be on site as opposed to relying on advance scouting while playing elsewhere.

Finally, the Soviets always had problems playing against Gilbert Perreault. Size of the rink did not matter. One of the mistakes from 1972 was not giving Perreault more ice time.

 

[Zine]

CSKA @ Rangers (7-3):
Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union)
Penalties: CSKA 2x2, Rangers 9x2 + 1 major

CSKA @ Canadiens (3-3):
Wally Harris (Canada)
Penalties: CSKA 5x2, Canadiens 3x2

CSKA @ Bruins (5-2):
Viktor Dombrovski (Soviet Union)
Penalties: CSKA 3x2, Bruins 5x2

CSKA @ Flyers (1-4):
Lloyd Gilmour (Canada)
Penalties: CSKA 6x2 (including 1x2 for delay of the game), Flyers 7x2

Krylja Sovetov @ Penguins (7-4):
Viktor Dombrovski (Soviet Union)
Penalties: Krylja Sovetov 3x2, Penguins 3x2 + 1 misconduct

Krylja Sovetov @ Sabres (6-12):
Ron Wicks (Canada)
Penalties: Krylja Sovetov 8x2, Sabres 7x2

Krylja Sovetov @ Blackhawks (4-2):
Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union)
Penalties: Krylja Sovetov 6x2, Blackhawks 12x2

Krylja Sovetov @ Islanders (2-1):
? (Canada)
Penalties: Krylja Sovetov 11x2, Islanders 7x2

-----------------------

The unfamiliarity with refereeing - argument works both ways. NHL players complained about the Soviet referees Dombrovski and Karandin, Soviet players were unhappy with how the NHL referees handled their games. Half of the games were refereed by Soviet referees, half of the games by NHL referees.

Would you have infos if any Soviet referees did games other than 1976 series?

 

[Theokritos]

Would you have infos if any Soviet referees did games other than 1976 series?

No, not yet at least. I hope to get around the later Series and figure it out, it's pretty much work in progress.

 

[Theokritos]

75-76 Pre-Game Talk

I found five different pre-game statements concering the question of how important the exhibition games were for the NHL teams. Two statements relativize the importance, three unterline it. The first two statements are from the Rangers and the Penguins, both eventually lost their games. The other three are from the Canadiens, Sabres and Flyers; none of them lost. Coincidence or not?

Phil Esposito, Rangers forward: "Frankly, as big a thing this is and it's a real big deal, I'm more worried about winning in our division and getting into the playoffs than I am about playing the Russians. This is an exhibition series which is damn good for hockey, but let's not get carried away. The way we are in a dogfight for the playoffs, I don't think we should be thinking about them (the Russians) at all."
The Leader-Post - Google News Archive Search

Marc Boileau, Penguins coach: "I don't think the guys were thinking too much about this game before today. They were more worried about regular season games."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search

Pete Mahovlich, Canadiens forward: "This game means everything for the NHL and the Canadiens."
The Leader-Post - Google News Archive Search

Punch Imlach, Sabres general manager: "I want to win this one even more than I wanted to win the Stanley Cup."
The Calgary Herald - Google News Archive Search

Bobby Clarke, Flyers forward: "Outside of the two games that wrapped up the Stanley Cups for us, it will be the biggest game any of us may ever play in."
The Leader-Post - Google News Archive Search

 

[RabbinsDuck]

Really appreciate your posts in this thread, Theokritos!

 

[Theokritos]

75-76 Jets, Toros @ Europa

After the Soviet vs NHL Series, a brief look at the WHA teams who toured Europe in the 75-76 season, to be exact in September 1975:

Jets held their training camp in Finland, Toros in Sweden. Just like CSKA and Krylja later that year in North America, the two WHA teams had the opportunity to train in local rinks.
Record against Finnish teams: Toros 1-1-0, Jets 1-1-1. Against Swedish teams: Toros 1-0-4, Jets 4-0-0.
While a weaker WHA team (Toronto Toros) wasn't a match for the better Swedish sites, a top WHA team was obviously superior to the best teams in Sweden. In fact, the Winnipeg Jets actually had four Swedes with them who would've been all-star calibre players in the Swedish league: Curt Larsson (G), Lars-Erik Sjöberg (D), Ulf Nilsson (F), Anders Hedberg (F). And that's only Winnipeg's Swedish contingent.

 

[Theokritos]

1976-77 Season

The second season that saw transatlantic match-ups involving club teams.

September 1976: Phoenix Roadrunners @ Finland

Roadrunners: Play-off team the season before, but bound for a belly landing in 76-77.
Jokerit: Middle-of-the road.
Turun PS: Top team, reigning champion.
IFK Helsinki: Still among the best.
Kiekko-Reipas: Freshly promoted to the first tier.
Ässät: Good team. 3rd in 75, 5th in 76.
Kärpät: Second tier, best team left after the departure of Kiekko-Reipas.

Sept.15: Jokerit - Phoenix Roadrunners 3-8
Sept.18?: Turun PS - Phoenix Roadrunners 4-2
Sept.21: Finland Selects - Phoenix Roadrunners 2-2
Sept.22: IFK Helsinki - Phoenix Roadrunners 1-4
Sept.25?: Tampere Selects - Phoenix Roadrunners 5-5
Sept.??: Kiekko-Reipas - Phoenix Roadrunners 5-6
Sept.??: Porin Ässät - Phoenix Roadrunners 5-5
Sept.??: Oulun Kärpät - Phoenix Roadrunners 3-7

Roadrunners TOTAL: 4 Won, 3 Tied, 1 Lost
Roadrunners TOTAL AGAINST CLUBS: 4 Won, 1 Tied, 1 Lost

December 1976: Poldi Kladno @ WHA

Poldi Kladno: Best team in Czechoslovakia, reigning champion and about to defend their championship in 1977.
Reinforcements: GK Vladimír Dzurilla (Brno), D Jan Zajíček (Sparta), LW Jaroslav Pouzar (České Budějovice), C Peter Šťastný (Bratislava), RW Marián Šťastný (Bratislava).
Jets: Reigning WHA champion, still a top team in 76-77.
Oilers, Whalers: Playoff teams, but the weakest ones.
Cowboys: Not a playoff team.
Saints: Could've made the play-offs, but franchise folded financially in January 1977.
Racers: Playoff team, among the better WHA teams that season.

Dec.12: Winnipeg Jets – Poldi Kladno 6-5
Dec.13: Edmonton Oilers – Poldi Kladno 6-4
Dec.15: Calgary Cowboys – Poldi Kladno 4-5
Dec.17: Minnesota Fighting Saints – Poldi Kladno 3-2 AE
Dec.20: New England Whalers – Poldi Kladno 1-4
Dec.22: Indianapolis Racers – Poldi Kladno 3-2

Kladno TOTAL: 2 Won, 4 Lost

December 1976: Winnipeg Jets @Izvestia Cup (Moscow)

Dec.16: Czechoslovakia (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 3-2
Dec.17: Sweden (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 4-4
Dec.19: Soviet Union (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 6-4
Dec.21: Finland (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 1-2

Jets TOTAL: 1 Won, 1 Tied, 2 Lost

December-January 1976-77: Soviet Union (National Team) @WHA

Whalers, Racers, Oilers, Jets: See above.
Stingers, Mariners: Play-off teams.
Aeros: Top team, among the best in the WHA.
Nordiques: Top team, bound to win the 1977 WHA championship.

Dec.27: New England Whalers – Soviet Union 5-2
Dec.28: Cincinnati Stingers– Soviet Union 5-7
Dec.30: Houston Aeros – Soviet Union 1-10
Jan.1: Indianapolis Racers – Soviet Union 2-5
Jan.3: San Diego Mariners – Soviet Union 3-6
Jan.5: Edmonton Oilers – Soviet Union 2-3
Jan.6: Winnipeg Jets – Soviet Union 2-3
Jan.8: Nordiques de Québec – Soviet Union 6-1

Soviet Union TOTAL: 6 Won, 2 Lost

 

[VMBM]

Poldi Kladno: Best team in Czechoslovakia, reigning champion and about to defend their championship in 1977.
Reinforcements: GK Vladimír Dzurilla (Brno), D Jan Zajíček (Sparta), LW Jaroslav Pouzar (České Budějovice), C Peter Šťastný (Bratislava), RW Marián Šťastný (Bratislava).
Jets: Reigning WHA champion, still a top team in 76-77.
Oilers, Whalers: Playoff teams, but the weakest ones.
Cowboys: Not a playoff team.
Saints: Could've made the play-offs, but franchise folded financially in January 1977.
Racers: Playoff team, among the better WHA teams that season.

Dec.12: Winnipeg Jets – Poldi Kladno 6-5
Dec.13: Edmonton Oilers – Poldi Kladno 6-4
Dec.15: Calgary Cowboys – Poldi Kladno 4-5
Dec.17: Minnesota Fighting Saints – Poldi Kladno 3-2 AE
Dec.20: New England Whalers – Poldi Kladno 1-4
Dec.22: Indianapolis Racers – Poldi Kladno 3-2

Kladno TOTAL: 2 Won, 4 Lost

December 1976: Winnipeg Jets @Izvestia Cup (Moscow)

Dec.16: Czechoslovakia (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 3-2
Dec.17: Sweden (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 4-4
Dec.19: Soviet Union (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 6-4
Dec.21: Finland (National Team) – Winnipeg Jets 1-2

Jets TOTAL: 1 Won, 1 Tied, 2 Lost

Of course, some of the better Czechoslovakian players (Novy, Pouzar, Stastnys...) were playing for Poldi Kladno in North America, while the national team played in the 1976 Izvestia. Still, I've read somewhere that the Soviets needed "favourable refereeing" to beat Czechoslovakia in that Izvestia tournament.

 

[VMBM]

December-January 1976-77: Soviet Union (National Team) @WHA

Whalers, Racers, Oilers, Jets: See above.
Stingers, Mariners: Play-off teams.
Aeros: Top team, among the best in the WHA.
Nordiques: Top team, bound to win the 1977 WHA championship.

Dec.27: New England Whalers – Soviet Union 5-2
Dec.28: Cincinnati Stingers – Soviet Union 5-7
Dec.30: Houston Aeros – Soviet Union 1-10
Jan.1: Indianapolis Racers – Soviet Union 2-5
Jan.3: San Diego Mariners – Soviet Union 3-6
Jan.5: Edmonton Oilers – Soviet Union 2-3
Jan.6: Winnipeg Jets – Soviet Union 2-3
Jan.8: Nordiques de Québec – Soviet Union 6-1

Soviet Union TOTAL: 6 Won, 2 Lost

Pretty poor, or should I say uneven, performances by the Soviets. They did considerably better a year later, losing only to the Jets 3-5 - after beating them 3 times.

USSR used some 'alternative lineups' in these games (for example, sometimes Sidelnikov started in goal), and they had a pretty rough schedule, but there's still no excuse to lose to New England Whalers or Quebec Nordiques. The Soviets did not even win the world championship in 1976 and 1977, so one can see that they were quite a mess around this time (before a certain Tikhonov arrived and got things going).

 

[Zine]

Pretty poor, or should I say uneven, performances by the Soviets. They did considerably better a year later, losing only to the Jets 3-5 - after beating them 3 times.

USSR used some 'alternative lineups' in these games (for example, sometimes Sidelnikov started in goal), and they had a pretty rough schedule, but there's still no excuse to lose to New England Whalers or Quebec Nordiques. The Soviets did not even win the world championship in 1976 and 1977, so one can see that they were quite a mess around this time (before a certain Tikhonov arrived and got things going).

This should be no surprise. Soviet talent was as good as ever, but Kulagin had lost the team at this point.

 

[Theokritos]

1975-76 Super Series: Soviet Rosters and Stats

CSKA Moskva

Head Coach: Konstantin Loktev

G:
Vladislav Tretiak (4 GP, 240 minutes, 12 GA, 0 PM)

D:
Valeri Vasiliev [loaned from Dinamo Moskva] (4 GP, 0g+4a, 6 PM)
Alexander Gusev (4 GP, 0g+2a, 4 PM)
Gennadi Tsygankov (3 GP, 1g+1a, 2 PM)
Vladimir Lutchenko (4 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Alexei Volchenkov (4 GP, 0g+0a, 2 PM)
Viktor Kuzkin (4 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Lokotko (2 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Sergei Glazov (2 GP 0g+0a, 2 PM)

F:
Alexander Maltsev [loaned from Dinamo Moskva] (4 GP, 1g+2a, 0 PM)
Vyacheslav Solodukhin [loaned from SKA Leningrad] (4 GP, 0g+0a, 2 PM)
Valeri Kharlamov (4 GP, 4g+3a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Petrov (2 GP, 2g+3a, 0 PM)
Boris Mikhailov (4 GP, 2a+3g, 0 PM)
Boris Alexandrov (4 GP, 3g+3a, 8 PM)
Viktor Zhluktov (3 GP, 0g+4a, 4 PM)
Vladimir Vikulov (4 GP, 2g+1a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Popov (4 GP, 0g+1a, 2 PM)
Alexander Volchkov (3 GP, 0g+0a, 2 PM)
Viktor Kutergin (3 GP, 1g+0a, 0 PM)
Alexander Lobanov (2 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)

Krylja Sovietov Moskva

Head Coach: Boris Kulagin

G:
Alexander Sidelnikov (4 GP, 234:29 minutes, 17 GA, 2 PM)
Alexander Kulikov (1 GP, 5:31 minutes, 2 GA, 0 PM)

D:
Yuri Lyapkin [loaned from Spartak Moskva] (4 GP, 2g+3a, 0 PM)
Yuri Tyurin (4 GP, 0g+2a, 2 PM)
Sergei Glukhov (2 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Krikunov (4 GP, 0g+2a, 2 PM)
Viktor Kuznetsov (4 GP, 0g+3a, 6 PM)
Sergei Babinov (4 GP, 0g+1a, 6 PM)
Igor Lapin (1 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Yuri Teryokhin (3 GP, 1g+1a, 6 PM)

F:
Alexander Yakushev [loaned from Spartak Moskva] (4 GP, 1g+3a, 2 PM)
Vladimir Shadrin [loaned from Spartak Moskva] (4 GP, 2g+2a, 6 PM)
Viktor Shalimov [loaned from Spartak Moskva] (4 GP, 4g+4a, 2 PM)
Alexander Bodunov (2 GP, 0g+1a, 0 PM)
Vyacheslav Anisin (4 GP, 2g+0a, 2 PM)
Yuri Lebedev (4 GP, 1g+0a)
Sergei Kapustin (4 GP, 3g+2a, 6 PM)
Vladimir Repnev (4 GP, 3g+1a, 6 PM)
Sergei Kotov (4 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Gostyuzhev (2 GP, 0g+0a, 2 PM)
Konstantin Klimov (1 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Gennadi Maslov (1 GP, 0g+0a, 0 PM)
Vladimir Rasko (2 GP, 0g+1a, 2 PM)

 

[Theokritos]

1975-1976 Super Series: CSKA Games

1975, Dec.28: New York Rangers – CSKA Moskva 3-7 (1-3, 0-3, 2-1)

New York, Attendance: 17,500
Referee Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union), Linesmen Matt Pavelich (Canada) and John D'Amico (Canada)
Rangers: John Davidson; John Bednarski – Carol Vadnais, Doug Jarrett – Ron Greschner, Larry Sacharuk – Nick Beverley; Steve Vickers – Phil Esposito – Rod Gilbert, Walt Tkaczuk – Pete Stemkowski – Rick Middleton, Ed Johnstone – Jerry Holland – Bill Fairbairn, Wayne Dillon, Greg Polis. Coach: Ron Stewart.
CSKA: Vladislav Tretiak; Alexander Gusev – Valeri Vasiliev (Dinamo), Gennadi Tsygankov – Vladimir Lutchenko, Alexei Volchenkov – Viktor Kuzkin, Sergei Glazov; Valeri Kharlamov – Vladimir Petrov – Boris Mikhailov, Boris Alexandrov– Viktor Zhluktov – Vladimir Vikulov, Alexander Maltsev (Dinamo) – Vyacheslav Solodukhin (SKA) – Vladimir Popov, Alexander Volchkov, Viktor Kutergin.

First Period: 1-0 Vickers (ass. Esposito, Gilbert; 0:21), Pen Rangers (2 Jarrett; 2:46), 1-1 Alexandrov (ass. Petrov, Gusev; 4:04, PP), 1-2 Vikulov (ass. Zhluktov, Alexandrov; 5:19), Pen Rangers (2 Greschner; 7:20), Pen Rangers (2 Greschner; 10:13), Pen Rangers (2 Greschner, 18:16), 1-3 Kharlamov (ass. Vasiliev, Petrov; 19:42, PP). Shots: Rangers 10, CSKA 12.
Second Period: 1-4 Petrov (ass. Kharlamov, Mikhailov; 21:26), Pen CSKA (2 Popov; 27:34), Pen CSKA (2 Gusev; 28:46), 1-5 Vikulov (ass. Zhluktov, Alexandrov; 34:21), 1-6 Mikhailov (ass. Kharlamov, Gusev; 36:54), Pen Rangers (2 Johnstone; 39:11). Shots: Rangers 14, CSKA 9.
Third Period: Pen CSKA (2 Vasiliev; 40:38), Pen Rangers (2 Esposito; 41:40), 1-7 Petrov (ass. Mikhailov, Kharlamov; 43:16, PP), Pen Rangers (2 Fairburn; 48:04), Pen Rangers (2 Fairburn; 52:42), 2-7 Gilbert (ass. Esposito; 55:31), Pen CSKA (2 Volchkov; 56:04), 3-7 Esposito (ass. Vickers, Sacharuk; 57:46, PP), Pen Rangers (2 Polis, 5 Vadnais; 59:38). Shots: Rangers 17, CSKA 8.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #33.

Full Game on Youtube:
Link 1:
Link 2:

1975, Dec.31: Canadiens de Montréal – CSKA Moskva 3-3 (2-0, 1-2, 0-1)

Montréal, Attendance: 18,975
Referee Wally Harris (Canada), Linesmen Claude Béchard (Canada) and Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union)

Canadiens: Ken Dryden; Guy Lapointe – John Van Boxmeer, Larry Robinson – Serge Savard, Pierre Bouchard – Don Awrey; Guy Lafleur – Doug Risebrough – Jim Roberts, Jacques Lemaire – Mario Tremblay – Yvon Lambert, Murray Wilson - Pete Mahovlich – Yvan Cournoyer, Doug Jarvis – Bob Gainey – Steve Shutt. Coach: Scotty Bowman.
CSKA: Vladislav Tretiak; Alexander Gusev – Valeri Vasiliev (Dinamo), Gennadi Tsygankov – Vladimir Lutchenko, Alexander Volchenkov – Viktor Kuzkin; Valeri Kharlamov – Vladimir Petrov – Boris Mikhailov, Boris Alexandrov – Viktor Zhluktov – Vladimir Vikulov, Alexander Maltsev (Dinamo) – Vyacheslav Solodukhin (SKA) – Vladimir Popov.

First Period: Pen Canadiens (2 Wilson; 0:38), 1-0 Shutt (ass. Mahovlich; 3:16), Pen CSKA (2 Vasiliev; 4:43), 2-0 Lambert (ass. Risebrough, Savard; 7:25), Pen Canadiens (2 Cournoyer; 16:33), Pen CSKA (2 Zhluktov; 19:45). Shots: Canadiens 11, CSKA 4.
Second Period: 2-1 Mikhailov (ass. Vasiliev; 23:54), Pen CSKA (2 Solodukhin; 27:38), Pen CSKA (2 Gusev; 28:23), 3-1 Cournoyer (ass. Lafleur, Lemaire; 29:39, PP), Pen Canadiens (2 Savard; 29:52), 3-2 Kharlamov (ass. Petrov, Mikhailov; 36:21). Shots: Canadiens 11, CSKA 3.
Third Period: Pen CSKA (2 Vasiliev; 40:27), 3-3 Alexandrov (ass. Zhluktov, Tsygankov; 44:04). Shots: Canadiens 16, CSKA 6.

First Period: Pen Canadiens (2 Wilson; 0:38), 1-0 Shutt (ass. Mahovlich; 3:16), Pen CSKA (2 Vasiliev; 4:43), 2-0 Lambert (ass. Risebrough, Savard; 7:25), Pen Canadiens (2 Cournoyer; 16:33), Pen CSKA (2 Zhluktov; 19:45). Shots: Canadiens 11, CSKA 4.
Second Period: 2-1 Mikhailov (ass. Vasiliev; 23:54), Pen CSKA (2 Solodukhin; 27:38), Pen CSKA (2 Gusev; 28:23), 3-1 Cournoyer (ass. Lafleur, Lemaire; 29:39, PP), Pen Canadiens (2 Savard; 29:52), 3-2 Kharlamov (ass. Petrov, Mikhailov; 36:21). Shots: Canadiens 11, CSKA 3.
Third Period: Pen CSKA (2 Vasiliev; 40:27), 3-3 Alexandrov (ass. Zhluktov, Tsygankov; 44:04). Shots: Canadiens 16, CSKA 6.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #34.

Full Game on YouTube:
Link 1:
Link 2:
Link 3:

1976, Jan.8: Boston Bruins – CSKA Moskva 2-5 (0-0, 2-3, 0-2)

Boston, Attendance: 15,003
Referee Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union), Linesmen John D'Amico (Canada), Leon Stickle (Canada)

Bruins: Gilles Gilbert; Dallas Smith – Brad Park, Darryl Edestrand – Gary Doak, Al Sims; Don Marcotte – Jean Ratelle – Bobby Schmautz, Wayne Cashman – Gregg Sheppard – John Bucyk, Dave Forbes – André Savard – Terry O'Reilly, Hank Nowak – Ken Hodge – Doug Gibson. Coach: Don Cherry.
CSKA: Vladislav Tretiak; Alexander Gusev – Valeri Vasiliev (Dinamo), Gennadi Tsygankov – Vladimir Lutchenko, Alexei Volchenkov – Viktor Kuzkin; Valeri Kharlamov – Alexander Maltsev (Dinamo) – Boris Mikhailov, Boris Alexandrov – Viktor Zhluktov – Vladimir Vikulov, Alexander Lobanov – Viktor Kutergin – Vladimir Popov, Vyacheslav Solodukhin (SKA), Alexander Volchkov.

First Period: Pen Bruins (2 Smith; 16:03), Pen CSKA (2 Alexandrov; 17:20). Shots: Bruins 19; CSKA 8.
Second Period: 1-0 Forbes (22:54), Pen Bruins (2 Schmautz; 23:31), 1-1 Kharlamov (ass. Maltsev; 24:41, PP), 1-2 Kharlamov (ass. Maltsev; 31:00), Pen Bruins (2 Cashman; 31:00), 1-3 Maltsev (ass. Vasiliev; 33:19), Pen CSKA (2 Zhluktov, 37:26), 2-3 Ratelle (ass. Hodge; 37:31, PP). Shots: Bruins 8, CSKA 5.
Third Period: 2-4 Tsygankov (ass. Alexandrov, Vikulov; 40:43), Pen both (2 Tsygankov, 2 Hodge; 44:30), 2-5 Alexandrov (ass. Zhluktov; 48:58), Pen Bruins (2 Schmautz; 49:22). Shots: Bruins 13, CSKA 6.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #35.

Full* Game on Youtube:
Part 1:
Part 2:
*Almost: After the Mikhailov dive (31:00) a section of more than 2 minutes (including the third goal for the Soviets, scored by Maltsev) is missing between the fade-out at 1:02:14 and the fade-in at 1:02:15 of the video.

1976, Jan.11: Philadelphia Flyers – CSKA Moskva 4-1 (2-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Philadelphia, Attendance: 17,077
Referee Lloyd Gilmour (Canada), Linesmen Matt Pavelich (Canada) and Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union)

Flyers: Wayne Stephenson; Ed Van Impe – Jim Watson, Larry Goodenough – André Dupont, Joe Watson – Tom Bladon; Bill Barber – Bobby Clarke – Reggie Leach, Ross Lonsberry – Rick MacLeish – Gary Dornhoefer, Dave Schultz – Orest Kindrachuk – Don Saleski, Bob Kelly, Mel Bridgman, Terry Crisp. Coach: Fred Shero.
CSKA: Vladislav Tretiak; Alexander Gusev – Valeri Vasiliev (Dinamo), Vladimir Lokotko – Vladimir Lutchenko, Alexei Volchenkov – Sergei Glazov; Valeri Kharlamov – Alexander Maltsev (Dinamo) – Boris Mikhailov, Boris Alexandrov – Vyacheslav Solodukhin (SKA) – Vladimir Vikulov, Alexander Lobanov – Viktor Kutergin – Vladimir Popov, Alexander Volchkov.

First Period: Pen CSKA (2 Alexandrov; 2:44), Pen both (2 Dornhoefer, 2 Glazov; 3:34), Pen Flyers (2 Dupont; 7:00), Pen Flyers (2 Van Impe; 9:10), Pen CSKA (2 Bench; 11:21), 1-0 Leach (ass. Barber; 11:38, PP), 2-0 MacLeish (ass. Lonsberry; 17:37), Pen Flyers (2 Dornhoefer; 17:56). Shots: Flyers 17, CSKA 2.
Second Period: Pen Flyers (2 Dupont; 21:08), 3-0 Joe Watson (ass. Saleski, Kindrachuk; 22:44, SH), 3-1 Kutergin (ass. Popov; 30:48), Pen Flyers (2 Van Impe; 31:31), Pen Flyers (2 Leach; 37:08), Pen CSKA (4 Alexandrov; 37:08). Shots: Flyers 14, CSKA 8.
Third Period: Pen CSKA (2 Volchenkov; 43:14), 4-1 Goodenough (ass. Clarke, Dornhoefer; 44:07, PP). Shots: Flyers 18, CSKA 3.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #36.

Full Game on Youtube:

 

[Theokritos]

1975-1976 Super Series: Krylja Sovietov Games

1975, Dec.29: Pittsburgh Penguins – Krylja Sovietov Moskva 4-7 (0-4, 3-2, 1-1)

Pittsburgh, Attendance: 13,218
Referee Viktor Dombrovski (Soviet Union), Linesmen Neil Armstrong (Canada), Leon Stickle (Canada)

Penguins: Michel Plasse; Dennis Owchar – Dave Burrows, Ron Stackhouse – Steve Durbano, Colin Campbell – Barry Wilkins; Stan Gilbertson – Syl Apps jr. – Jean Pronovost, Chuck Arnarson – Ron Schock – Vic Hadfield, Rick Kehoe – Pierre Larouche – John Robert Kelly, Lew Morrison, Mario Faubert. Coach: Marc Boileau.
Krylja Sovietov: Alexander Sidelnikov; Yuri Lyapkin (Spartak) – Yuri Tyurin, Sergei Glukhov – Vladimir Krikunov, Viktor Kuznetsov – Sergei Babinov, Igor Lapin; Alexander Yakushev (Spartak) – Vladimir Shadrin (Spartak) – Viktor Shalimov (Spartak), Alexander Bodunov – Vyacheslav Anisin – Yuri Lebedev, Sergei Kapustin – Vladimir Repnev – Sergei Kotov, Konstantin Klimov.

First Period: 0-1 Anisin (ass. Bodunov; 1:45), 0-2 Shadrin (ass. Shalimov; 4:33), Pen Penguins (2 Campbell; 7:21), 0-3 Shalimov (ass. Lyapkin; 12:10), 0-4 Yakushev (ass. Shadrin, Tyurin; 15:25). Shots: Penguins 5, Krylja Sovietov 15.
Second Period: 0-5 Shadrin (ass. Lyapkin, Shalimov; 21:39), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Bench; 23:31), 1-5 Larouche (ass. Kehoe, Faubert; 25:35), 1-6 Repnev (ass. Kapustin; 26:02), 2-6 Schock (ass. Hadfield, Arnarson; 26:53). Shots: Penguins 7, Krylja Sovietov 8.
Third Period: Pen Penguins (20 Larouche; 32:26) 3-6 Wilkins (ass. Pronovost, Gilbertson; 34:42), 3-7 Lyapkin (ass. Shalimov, Shadrin; 40:30), 4-7 Morrison (ass. Hadfield; 43:02), Pen Penguins (2 Stackhouse; 49:41), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Yakushev; 54:18), Pen both (2 Kapustin, 2 Schock; 57:23). Shots: Penguins 18, Krylja Sovietov 12.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #47.

1976, Jan.4: Buffalo Sabres – Krylja Sovietov Moskva 12-6 (4-2, 5-2, 3-2)

Buffalo, Attendance: 16,433
Referee Ron Wicks (Canada), Linesmen John D'Amico (Canada) and Viktor Dombrovski (Soviet Union)

Sabres: Gerry Desjardins; Jerry Korab – Paul McIntosh, Bill Hajt – Lee Fogolin, Jocelyn Guevremont – Gary McAdam; Craig Ramsay – Jacques Richard – Jim Lorentz, Brian Spencer – Fred Stanfield – Peter McNab, Daniel Gare – Don Luce – Terry Martin, Gilbert Perreault – Rene Robert – Robert Martin. Coach: Floyd Smith.
Krylja Sovietov: Alexander Sidelnikov (24.32–31:04 Alexander Kulikov); Yuri Tyurin – Yuri Lyapkin (Spartak), Sergei Glukhov – Vladimir Krikunov, Viktor Kuznetsov – Sergei Babinov, Yuri Teryokhin; Alexander Yakushev (Spartak) – Vladimir Shadrin (Spartak) – Viktor Shalimov (Spartak), Alexander Bodunov – Vyacheslav Anisin – Yuri Lebedev, Sergei Kapustin – Vladimir Repnev – Sergei Kotov, Gennadi Maslov.

First Period: Pen both (2 Shadrin, 2 Ramsay; 0:36), 1-0 Guevremont (ass. Spencer, Hajt; 6:10), 2-0 Perreault (ass. Korab; 7:10), Pen both (2 Repnev, 2 Fogolin; 11:21), 3-0 Martin (ass. Stanfield; 11:32), Pen Sabres (Korab; 11:45), 3-1 Repnev (ass. Shalimov, Yakushev; 13:45, PP), 4-1 Martin (14:23), 4-2 Kapustin (ass. Kotov; 19:16). Shots: Sabres 17, Krylja Sovietov 9.
Second Period: Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Kapustin; 22:49), 5-2 Lorentz (ass. Gare, Guevremont; 24:32, PP), Goalie Change Krylja Sovietov (Kulikov for Sidelnikov; 24:32); 6-2 Robert (ass. MacNab; 25:32), 6-3 Repnev (ass. Kapustin, Kuznetsov; 25:59), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Teryokhin; 27:55), 7-3 Korab (ass. Martin, Perreault; 28:26, PP), 7-4 Shalimov (28:40), Goalie Change Krylja Sovietov (Sidelnikov for Kulikov; 31:03), 8-4 Gare (ass. Stanfield, Korab; 31:44), Pen Sabres (2 Korab; 34:41), 9-4 MacNab (ass. Martin, Spencer; 37:17), Pen Sabres (2 Korab; 39:45). Shots: Sabres 17, Krylja Sovietov 7.
Third Period: 9-5 Kapustin (ass. Kuznetsov; 43:28), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Shadrin; 46:08), Pen both (2 Spencer; 2 Sidelnikov, served by Shalimov; 46:30), Pen Sabres (2 Guevremont; 46:52), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Kuznetsov; 47:20), 10-5 Stanfield (ass. MacNab, Robert; 49:41), 10-6 Lebedev (ass. Babinov, Krikunov; 51:32), 11-6 Gare (ass. Stanfield, Ramsay; 54:04), Pen Krylja Sovietov (Tyurin; 57:14), 12-6 Spencer (ass. MacNab, Robert; 58:04, PP). Shots: Sabres 12, Krylja Sovietov 6.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #48.

Full Game on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_nMPXasFhY

1976, Jan.7: Chicago Black Hawks – Krylja Sovietov Moska 2-4 (1-1, 0-3, 1-0)

Chicago, Attendance: 18,500
Referee Yuri Karandin (Soviet Union), Linesmen Neil Armstrong (Canada) and Matt Pavelich (Canada)

Black Hawks: Tony Esposito; Dale Tallon – Phil Russell, Dick Redmond – Bill White; John Marks – Stan Mikita – Cliff Koroll, Dennis Hull – Pit Martin – Grant Mulvey, Darcy Rota – Bobby Sheehan – Jean-Pierre Bordeleau. Coach: Billy Reay.
Krylja Sovietov: Alexander Sidelnikov; Yuri Tyurin – Yuri Lyapkin (Spartak), Yuri Teryokhin – Vladimir Krikunov, Viktor Kuznetsov – Sergei Babinov; Alexander Yakushev (Spartak) – Vladimir Shadrin (Spartak) – Viktor Shalimov (Spartak), Vladimir Gostyuzhev – Vyacheslav Anisin – Yuri Lebedev, Sergei Kapustin – Vladimir Repnev – Sergei Kotov, Vladimir Rasko.

First Period: Pen Black Hawks (2 White; 3:21), Pen Black Hawks (2 Rota; 7:41), 0-1 Teryokhin (ass. Yakushev, Krikunov; 8:46, PP), 1-1 Redmond (ass. Mulvey 9:11), Pen both (2 Redmond; 2 Rasko; 20:00). Shots: Black Hawks 8, Krylja Sovietov 9.
Second Period: Pen both (2 Russell; 2 Repnev 23:15), 1-2 Kapustin (ass. Rasko, Kuznetsov; 24:03), Pen Black Hawks (2 Tallon; 27:33), Pen Black Hawks (2 Russell; 27:57), 1-3 Shalimov (ass. Teryokhin, Lyapkin; 28:41, PP), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Kapustin; 29:25), Pen Black Hawks (2 Redmonds; 29:31), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Shalimov; 30:49), Pen Black Hawks (2 Mulvey; 36:22), 1-4 Lyapkin (ass. Tyurin, Yakushev; 37:13, PP), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Teryokhin; 37:38). Shots: Blak Hawks 6, Krylja Sovietov 12.
Third Period: Pen Black Hawks (2 Rosa; 45:25), 2-4 Hull (ass. Mikita, Mulvey; 47:44), Pen both (2 Redmond; 2 Shadrin; 47:53), Pen Black Hawks (2 Redmond; 53:28), Pen Black Hawks (2 Mulvey; 58:18). Shots: Black Hawks 4, Krylja Sovietov 9.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #49.

1976, Jan.10: New York Islanders – Krylja Sovietov Moskva 1-2 (0-0, 1-2, 0-0)

New York, Attendance: 14,865
Referee Dave Newell (Canada), Linesmen Claude Béchard (Canada) and Viktor Dombrovski (Soviet Union)

Islanders: Glenn Resch; Jean Potvin РDenis Potvin, Gerry Hart РBert Marshall, Dave Fortier РDave Lewis; Jean-Paul Parise РJude Drouin РEd Westfall, Clark Gillies РBryan Trottier РBilly Harris, Garry Howatt РAndr̩ Saint-Laurent РBob Nystrom, Ralph Stewart, Bill MacMillan. Coach: Al Arbour.
Krylja Sovietov: Alexander Sidelnikov; Yuri Tyurin – Yuri Lyapkin (Spartak), Yuri Teryokhin – Vladimir Krikunov, Viktor Kuznetsov – Sergei Babinov; Alexander Yakushev (Spartak) – Vladimir Shadrin (Spartak) – Viktor Shalimov (Spartak), Vladimir Gostyuzhev – Vyacheslav Anisin – Yuri Lebedev, Sergei Kapustin – Vladimir Repnev – Sergei Kotov, Vladimir Rasko.

First Period: Pen Islanders (2 Drouin; 2:24), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Anisin; 5:25), Pen both (2 Repnev, 2 Marshall; 7:48), Pen Islanders (2 Saint-Laurent; 8:46), Pen Islanders (2 Saint-Laurent; 10:56), Pen Islanders (2 Hart; 16:35). Shots: Islanders 11, Krylja Sovietov 7.
Second Period: Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Gostyuzhev; 22:27), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Krikunov; 25:30), 0-1 Shalimov (26:31, SH), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Babinov; 30:00), Pen Islanders (2 Harris; 30:17), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Babinov; 34:54), 1-1 Trottier (ass. D.Potvin, Gillies; 34:59, PP), 1-2 Anisin (39:46). Shots: Islanders 6, Krylja Sovietov 9.
Third Period: Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Kuznetsov; 41:58), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Kuznetsov; 51:41), Pen both (2 Babinov; 2 Parise; 55:10), Pen Krylja Sovietov (2 Teryokhin; 58:30). Shots: Islanders 8, Krylja Sovietov 4.

For contemporary comments and opinions see post #50.

 

[Theokritos]

2013 additions so far

1) Added CSKA and Krylja Sovietov rosters with stats (post #61).

2) Added game scores for CSKA (post #62) and for Krylja Sovietov (post #63).

3) Quoted posts #62 and #63 in the older posts so that game scores and contemporary comments are all in one place now:

CSKA vs New York Rangers: post #33
CSKA vs Montreal Canadiens: post #34
CSKA vs Boston Bruins: post #35
CSKA vs Philadelphia Flyers: post #36

Krylja Sovietov vs Pittsburgh Penguins: post #47
Krylja Sovietov vs Buffalo Sabres: post #48
Krylja Sovietov vs Chicago Black Hawks: post #49
Krylja Sovietov vs New York Islanders: post #50