CBC Archives

Brainstorm the term “cold war” with the students and list their responses. Brainstorm differences between Canadian and Soviet society at the time of the 1972 Canada-Soviet hockey series. Discuss what life was like in the Soviet Union. Ask: How would the Soviets benefit by winning the series?

Divide the class into small groups. Have half the groups represent the Soviet perspective and the other half the Canadian perspective. Direct groups to the topic Canada-Soviet Hockey Series, 1972 on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site to review all the clips except Clip #2 and the Additional Clip “Delegates bump Canadians from Moscow hotels.” Groups will complete a chart with the following headings:

Pre-series training

Style of play

Reaction to winning/losing games

Fan reactions

Government reactions

Post-series consequences

Students should list concrete examples from the clips along with any additional knowledge they have.

Have two groups, one Soviet and one Canadian, meet to exchange ideas on their responses. As a class, create a common summary chart. Using the summary chart, discuss the pros and cons of each political system regarding hockey competition.

In their groups, students can write a satirical sketch about people from two different political systems coming together to play hockey. Students can focus on players, spectators, diplomats, journalists, or anyone involved in the series.