My earliest hockey memories of any big sporting event is The Summit Series from 1972 when I was five. I had no idea of the political magnitude of the Canada vs. the Soviet Union at the time, again, I was five. But I had three older brothers, and my Mom and Dad, who were all immersed in the series, and they most certainly did know of the Cold War political magnitude. The first ever competition between the Soviet National team and Team Canada represented by NHLers was talked about in my house non-stop for weeks before it started. We had every newspaper report on the upcoming Series and every book you could get, some of which I still have. The Press was unanimous in that Team Canada was going to make short work of the Russians. The Soviets were not expected to even give the Canadians a challenge, and Canada was going into this series expected to win handily. The first four games were in Canada. Canada won only one of those games. My family was as shocked as everybody else I'm sure, Russia was dominating. Team Canada was booed off the ice at the end of game 4 in the final game played in Canada. The press now said they weren't prepared, they had not taken the series seriously and some questioned if they were even trying. Responding to the negative public and media reaction in light of the expectation for an overwhelming Team Canada sweep of the series, Phil Esposito made the most important speech in Canadian Sports History. The speech inspired the entire nation to get back behind Team Canada, and they won the final 3 games and the Championship in the final minute of the final game in Russia. It also instilled in me, and likely millions of other Canadians a deep sense of pride in being Canadian. Over the years I've only grown more appreciative of that September in 1972. I've only grown more appreciative of Phil Esposito for not only the incredible speech that turned the country around, but also for teaching us to just work harder and to never give up. What I remember most from seeing this speech on TV with Legendary Canadian broadcaster Johnny Esaw, was how much Espo was sweating. Sweat was literally pouring off of him. He definitely was really trying, there was no doubt about that. I tried to paint the magnitude of the moment, and I tried to capture the intensity and emotion of the Speech. I tried to portray the atmosphere of the few remaining fans in Vancouver at the Pacific Coliseum, who only stayed to yell their disappointment at Phil or anybody else wearing the Red & White Maple Leaf. I'm not the only Canadian kid from 1972 who became proud of their country for the first time because of this speech. I still get chills as I remember those times in our old house, with my family, with our country. I'm sure if you are of a certain vintage, you do as well. I tried to paint that memory that will be in my head forever, 
and I really tried to help you remember it too.