Rare 1972 Ice Hockey Ticket - CSSR vs Kanada

After the Summit Series, Team Canada played an exhibition game against the Czechoslovak national team; at the time, the world champions. The game took place on September 30 at the Sportovní Hala in Prague and ended in a 3–3 tie.

Canada took the lead in the first period on goals by Serge Savard and Peter Mahovlich. The Czechoslovakian team tied it with two goals in the second by Bohuslav Stastny. Jiri Kochta scored at 2:28 of the third and the lead nearly held up until the end. Canada pulled its goalie and Savard scored his second goal with four seconds left in the game.

For the game, Stan Mikita was named captain of the Canadian team. Mikita had left Czechoslovakia at age eight to live in Canada with an aunt and uncle, leaving behind his mother. Mikita’s family, including his mother who was still alive, got the chance to see the game and visit with Stan and other players afterwards in what Mikita later described as a very emotional day for him.

During player introductions, Mikita received the largest ovation of any player. He took the opening faceoff and very nearly scored during the game.