1987 Canada Cup

Tournament Format and Participants

The 1987 Canada Cup was the fourth edition of the best-on-best international tournament, featuring six national teams. The participants were Canada, the Soviet Union, the United States, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, and Finland. The tournament was held across multiple Canadian cities, with the final series staged in Montreal and Hamilton. The format began with a round-robin stage where each team played one another, followed by semi-final matches and a best-of-three final series to determine the champion. This structure was designed to ensure the two strongest teams would meet for the title, a design that delivered spectacularly in 1987. The rosters were composed of each nation's top professional players, making it a true display of global hockey talent at its peak.

The Canadian team, coached by Mike Keenan, was exceptionally deep, featuring 12 future Hockey Hall of Fame members. The Soviet Union, coached by Viktor Tikhonov, brought its famed KLM line and a formidable defensive corps led by Viacheslav Fetisov. The United States team was coached by Bob Johnson, while other squads like Czechoslovakia featured emerging talents such as Dominik Hašek in goal. This assembly of the world's best players created a competitive intensity that defined the event.

The Road to the Final

The round-robin portion of the tournament set the stage for the climactic showdown. Teams competed fiercely to secure a place in the semi-finals, with Canada and the Soviet Union establishing themselves as the dominant forces. The Canadian team, leveraging its offensive firepower and deep roster, played consistently strong hockey to advance. The Soviet team demonstrated its characteristic speed, skill, and systematic play, proving to be a formidable opponent. The semi-final matches determined the finalists, with both Canada and the Soviet Union prevailing to set up a highly anticipated rematch of hockey's greatest rivalry. The performances in the earlier rounds solidified the consensus that the two best teams had rightfully earned their place in the championship series, setting the stage for a confrontation that would become etched in collective memory.

The Legendary Final Series

The best-of-three final between Canada and the Soviet Union is universally regarded as the pinnacle of hockey excellence. The series consisted of three consecutive 6-5 games, each decided in the final minutes or in overtime, displaying relentless skill, dramatic comebacks, and extraordinary tension. Game 1, played in Montreal on September 11, saw Canada erase a 4-1 second-period deficit to force overtime, only to lose on a goal by Alexander Semak. This setback put immense pressure on the Canadian squad heading into Game 2. Game 2, played in Hamilton on September 13, is often cited as the single greatest hockey game ever played. Canada took a 3-1 lead, but the Soviets battled back to tie the game. Each time Canada scored, with Mario Lemieux twice converting assists from Wayne Gretzky, the Soviets answered. Valeri Kamensky tied the game with just 1:04 left in regulation. After a scoreless first overtime period featuring stellar goaltending from Canada's Grant Fuhr, the Gretzky-Lemieux connection delivered again at 10:07 of the second overtime. Gretzky's fifth assist of the night set up Lemieux for a hat-trick goal, securing a 6-5 victory and forcing a decisive Game 3.

Game 3 and the Famous Winning Goal

The third and final game, on September 15, 1987, at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, provided a fitting conclusion to an epic series. The Soviet Union stormed to a 3-0 lead within the first eight minutes, threatening to run away with the championship. Canada's so-called grinders, including Rick Tocchet, Brent Sutter, and Dale Hawerchuk, led a determined comeback. Their relentless play pulled Canada back into the game, and the team held a 5-4 lead after two periods. The Soviets tied the game 5-5 in the third period on another goal from Alexander Semak, setting the stage for a third consecutive overtime. With 1:26 remaining in regulation and a faceoff in Canada's end, coach Mike Keenan sent out a line of Gretzky, Lemieux, and Hawerchuk. After Hawerchuk won the draw, the puck moved to Gretzky, who led a rush with Lemieux and defenceman Larry Murphy. Facing the lone Soviet defender, Igor Stelnov, Gretzky fed a pass back to Lemieux, who fired a wrist shot over the glove of goaltender Sergei Mylnikov. The Gretzky-to-Lemieux play for the series-winning goal instantly became one of the most memorable moments in Canadian sports history, securing a 6-5 victory and the Canada Cup.

Statistical Dominance and Key Performers

The tournament was statistically dominated by the Canadian duo of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Gretzky was named tournament MVP after leading all players with 21 points, including a tournament-high 18 assists in nine games. Lemieux led all goal scorers with 11 goals. Their on-ice chemistry was historic, as they combined on 29 percent of Team Canada's total goals throughout the tournament. This partnership remains the only time the two most dominant NHL players of their era played together on the same forward unit. Other key performers for Canada included goaltender Grant Fuhr, whose heroic play in overtime of Game 2 was crucial, and defenceman Ray Bourque. For the Soviet Union, forwards Vladimir Krutov and Valeri Kamensky were constant offensive threats, while defenceman Viacheslav Fetisov anchored their blue line. The tournament All-Star team reflected the series' protagonists, featuring Fuhr in goal, Bourque and Fetisov on defence, and Gretzky, Lemieux, and Krutov as forwards.

Controversy and Aftermath

The tournament was not without controversy, as the Soviet Union and United States teams both lodged complaints about the neutrality of the officiating. Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov stated after the final that he believed the main reason for his team's loss was bias and errors in refereeing. These complaints, however, have done little to diminish the historical stature of the hockey played. The focus has remained overwhelmingly on the quality of competition and the dramatic narrative of the final series. In the years since, players and observers have consistently praised the 1987 Canada Cup as the best hockey ever played. Former NHL star Joe Sakic, who was a teenager at the time, has called it the best hockey he has ever seen. Mario Lemieux himself has reflected that the experience, playing alongside Gretzky and other legends, was among the most special of his career, teaching him what it took to reach the highest level. The series served as the dramatic climax of the Canada-Soviet hockey rivalry that had defined international hockey since the 1972 Summit Series.

Rosters of the Finalists

The Canadian championship roster was a collection of legendary talent. The forwards and defence included Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Dale Hawerchuk, Glenn Anderson, Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, and Larry Murphy. The goaltending trio was Ron Hextall, Kelly Hrudey, and Grant Fuhr. The coaching staff was led by Mike Keenan and included John Muckler, Jean Perron, and Tom Watt. This assembly of Hall of Fame talent was a primary reason for the team's success and its lasting place in history. The Soviet Union roster was equally formidable, built around its core of skilled veterans. Key players included the forward unit of Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, and Sergei Makarov, along with Vyacheslav Bykov, Valeri Kamensky, and Alexander Semak. The defence was anchored by Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov. The goaltenders were Sergei Mylnikov, Vitali Samoilov, and Evgeny Belosheikin. Coached by Viktor Tikhonov and Igor Dmitriev, this team represented the final, magnificent iteration of the classic Soviet hockey system before significant political changes altered the international landscape.

Questions about 1987 Canada Cup

How did Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux perform in the tournament?

Wayne Gretzky was named tournament MVP, leading all players with 21 points and 18 assists. Mario Lemieux led the tournament with 11 goals. The duo combined on 29 percent of Canada's goals, demonstrating historic chemistry. This tournament remains the only time the two superstars played together on the same forward line in official competition.

Where were the 1987 Canada Cup finals played?

The final series was played in two cities. Game 1 was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. Games 2 and 3 were held at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. The tournament's round-robin games were held in various other Canadian cities, as well as one American city.

Who won the 1987 Canada Cup?

Team Canada won the 1987 Labatt Canada Cup. They defeated the Soviet Union two games to one in a thrilling best of three final series. Each final game ended with a 6-5 score, with Canada winning Game 2 in double overtime and clinching the championship with a last minute goal in Game 3. The tournament was held from August 28 to September 15, 1987. The winning Canadian roster featured 12 future Hockey Hall of Fame members.

Why is the 1987 Canada Cup final considered so special?

The 1987 Canada Cup final is considered by many the best exhibition of hockey ever played. The three game series between Canada and the Soviet Union featured intense competition and all three games were decided by a 6-5 score. It showed the legendary forward unit of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, who combined on 29 percent of Canada's goals. The series included dramatic comebacks, overtime periods, and exceptional individual performances, cementing its lasting fame in hockey history.

What was the famous play that won the series for Canada?

The famous series winning play occurred with 1:26 remaining in Game 3. With the score tied 5-5, Wayne Gretzky passed to Mario Lemieux who fired a shot over the glove of Soviet goaltender Sergei Mylnikov. This well-known Gretzky to Lemieux connection is one of the most memorable plays in Canadian sports history. It secured Canada's 6-5 victory in the decisive third game and won them the Canada Cup championship.

Were there any controversies during the 1987 Canada Cup?

Yes, there were controversies regarding officiating. Both the United States and Soviet Union teams complained about the neutrality of the referees during the tournament. Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov stated he believed bias and errors in refereeing were the main reasons his team lost the final match. These complaints remain a noted part of the tournament's history, though they are often overshadowed by the celebrated quality of play on the ice.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.