From time to time, TheIHLC.com will feature detailed recaps and boxscores of some of the most legendary games in international hockey history, considered to be “IHLC Classics.” Today, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series finale, we look back on perhaps the most influential goal in international hockey history, Paul Henderson’s series-winning tally past Vladislav Tretyak.
Canada 6-5 Soviet Union 
Summit Series, Game 8
Luzhniki Palace Of Sports, Moscow
Thursday, September 28, 1972
Both Canada and the Soviet Union had pushed each other to their limit in this grueling eight-game Summit Series, heading into the decisive eighth and final game in Moscow, the series tied at 3-3-1. Each team knew the ins-and-outs of each other’s game, and were completely prepared to avoid any surprises.
That is, until the final minute of the game – when Paul Henderson pounced on a rare Vladislav Tretyak rebound to score what was touted “The Goal Of The Century,” winning the epic Summit Series, and the International Hockey Lineal Championship, for Canada.
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