WinterSports2002.com, Sunday, February 24, 2002

Colorful history

By Tim Buckley
Deseret News sports writer

A look at the history of Olympic Games in which both Canada and the United States won some combination of gold and silver:

1960, Squaw Valley

GOLD: United States; SILVER: Canada

THE SKINNY: Team USA opened as huge underdogs but rallied to beat Czechoslovakia in its opener, then won three relatively easy games. A narrow win over Canada was followed by a 3-2 victory over the Soviet Union — the USA's first hockey win over the Soviets. To win gold, the Americans beat the Czechs 9-4 — in a game that started at 8 a.m.

1952, Oslo

GOLD: Canada; SILVER: United States

THE SKINNY: This was the last year Canada won Olympic men's hockey gold. Canada won seven straight games, then tied the U.S. 3-3 to claim gold. The Canadians were represented in the nine-nation by a team from Edmonton, the Mercurys.

1932, Lake Placid

GOLD: Canada; SILVER: United States

THE SKINNY: For the first time in Olympic hockey history, overtime was used. Sure enough, Vic Lindquist used an OT goal to lift Canada — actually a team from Winnipeg — over the U.S. 2-1 in their first meeting of the four-team tourney. Ironically, Canada won gold with a 2-2 tie — but only after three scoreless overtime periods were played.

1924, Chamonix

GOLD: Canada; SILVER: United States

THE SKINNY: Canada (really the Toronto Granites) scored a whopping 110 goals over five games of a four-team tourney. Harry "Moose" Watson had 36 of those goals, including an Olympic-record 13 in a 33-0 win over Sweden. Watson was knocked out cold 20 seconds into a final game against the U.S. but returned to score two goals in a 6-1 win.

1920, Antwerp

GOLD: Canada; SILVER: United States

THE SKINNY: Canada was represented by the Winnipeg Falcons, a team comprised largely of players of Icelandic descent. The tourney actually was held as part of the Summer Games. Teams were seven-a-side — with the sixth skater known as a rover. Games included two 20-minute periods, with no substitutions permitted. USA highlight: a 29-0 win over Switzerland.

Sources include: The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics

© 2002 Deseret News Publishing Company