Top Five Canadian Hockey Goals

By Scott Lewis (@TheScottLewis) on March 1st, 2010

Sidney Crosby’s overtime winner to claim Olympic gold for Canada over the United States will no doubt find its way into Canadian hockey folklore. It’s not a matter of when, Crosby’s goal just under eight minutes into the extra period was a classic the instant it got by Ryan Miller, but where it stands among the greatest ever scored for his country is certainly up for debate. Here’s our take with the Top Five Canadian Hockey Goals.

Anson Carter’s Controversial Clincher

2003 World Championship

Anson Carter scored one of the most controversial goals in the history of International hockey when he tucked this puck past the goalie in overtime. Despite some dimwit titling this clip “Anson Carter’s No Goal”, you can clearly see it was in fact a goal. Before the NHL unofficially opened its doors to players from all over the world it was largely a North American’s game, a white North American’s game to be more specific. Carter’s goal expanded hockey fans’ collective minds as to what a hero could look like.

Jonathan Toews Owns America In Shootout

2007 World Junior Championship

Jonathan Toews may have been Canada’s best player during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, but he was a stud on the International stage before. Toews and his Canadian junior teammates were locked in dramatic shootout with the U.S. in the semi-final of the 2007 World Junior Championship, Toews beat the Americans three times to secure a birth in the final.

Canada defeated Russia 4-2 to win the tournament. Toews may have been a little bit excited when he let this one slip:

Gretzky and Lemieux Combine To Finish Russia

1987 Canada Cup

Many refer to the 1987 Canada Cup as the greatest tournament ever played. Canada would win the now defunct Canada Cup with a victory over Russia when Wayne Gretzky fed Mario Lemieux for his now legendary snipe. Watch for the missed call on Dale Hawerchuk.

Crosby Wins It For Canada

Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Sidney Crosby certainly isn’t making things simple for his detractors. Although he went scoreless in the tournament’s previous three games, he saved his best for last by sneaking a quick snap by Ryan Miller in overtime. “The Kid” can add “National Hero” to his resume, even with the IOC’s valiant effort to prevent us from showing you this goal.

Paul Henderson Sinks Soviets

1972 Summit Series

Despite beating the living shit out of the Russians physically, Canada was still in tough during the ’72 Summit Series. With pride and a fear of communism on the line, Paul Henderson floated one by the Russian goaltender to score the biggest goal in Canadian hockey history.

Honorable Mentions

Not enough images of Canadian’s in all their victorious glory? Here’s a clip compiling Canada’s biggest goals from the Canada Cup, including some beauties by Steve Larmer, Mike Bossy, Bobby Orr, and Brian Propp: