Ambassador Alexander Darchiev Remarks at the Opening of the Hockey Match “Red Machine” vs “Commandos” in commemoration of USSR-Canada 1972 Super Series (September 22, 2017)

Dear friends,

Tonight we commemorate the great anniversary that shook the world
45 years ago – in the month of September, 1972, best hockey players
from USSR and Canada faced each other in a historic first Super Series.

These were unforgettable games that not only impressed fans and kids, like me, in both hemispheres, but helped to build bridges between East
and West.

I do hope that our game will contribute to the spirit of friendship between our nations which share the biggest ice-rink in the Arctic.

And for you, guys, who will engage in tonight’s battle on ice, I wish good luck and stamina and to always remember, as the old Russian saying goes, “cowards don’t play hockey”.

Дорогие друзья, призываю всех болеть, горячо и страстно,
не стесняясь кричать: «шайбу-шайбу». А наших игроков призываю всегда помнить, как пелось в старой советской песне: «трус не играет в хоккей».

Thank you all, and enjoy the game.