How it unfolded
The eight-game series stood 3–3–1; the Soviets led on total goals, so a tie would let them claim superiority. Roughly 3,000 Canadian fans travelled to Moscow. Penalties and disputed calls dominated early play; Canada trailed 5–3 after two periods. Phil Esposito scored at 2:27 of the third; Yvan Cournoyer tied it at 12:56 — when the red light failed, Alan Eagleson was dragged from the stands by Soviet security on live TV. With 34 seconds left, Paul Henderson beat Vladislav Tretiak on his third attempt from the crease. Foster Hewitt shouted that Henderson had scored for Canada. Henderson scored the series-winning goals in Games 6, 7, and 8; Esposito led all scorers with seven goals and 13 points. Schools and offices across Canada stopped for the broadcast.
Why it still matters
The series ended the era when Canadians took hockey supremacy for granted. Canada expected an 8–0 sweep and lost Game 1, 7–3; seeing Soviet pass hockey and conditioning forced a wholesale review of development systems. It also became the template for Cold War sports diplomacy and opened fifteen years of transcontinental competition.