Many hockey fans have memories of pretty goals but may not remember the final score of that game. Al Strachan looks at this a little differently ignore the beauty of the goal (or lack thereof), and concentrate on its historical significance. A Denis Savard spinarama may have been a thing of beauty, BUT the Guy Lafleur goal against Boston in Game 7 of the 1979 Stanley Cup semi-finals represented the return of play-making versus intimidation in hockey strategy.
I've avoided this book for awhile it didn't seem like the type of hockey book I would enjoy. I was wrong. (There. I said it.) Strachan provides a LOT of back-story, much of which I had not read until printed in this book and I read a LOT of hockey-based material! He does take stands firewagon hockey is better than a game ruled by intimidation, scoring is more exciting than defense for most people (with a nod to Roger Nielsen in the minority), and shutting down a professional sport for an entire year should NOT be considered a high-point in the Commissioner's career.
I'm very glad I picked this book up, and it did not take me long at all to read its almost-300 pages. Not many books manage to grab me and not let go like this one did. I recommend it to all hockey fans.
RATING: 5 stars. Well written, and aspects will remain with me after I've moved on to my next read, and the one after that, and ...
I've avoided this book for awhile it didn't seem like the type of hockey book I would enjoy. I was wrong. (There. I said it.) Strachan provides a LOT of back-story, much of which I had not read until printed in this book and I read a LOT of hockey-based material! He does take stands firewagon hockey is better than a game ruled by intimidation, scoring is more exciting than defense for most people (with a nod to Roger Nielsen in the minority), and shutting down a professional sport for an entire year should NOT be considered a high-point in the Commissioner's career.
I'm very glad I picked this book up, and it did not take me long at all to read its almost-300 pages. Not many books manage to grab me and not let go like this one did. I recommend it to all hockey fans.
RATING: 5 stars. Well written, and aspects will remain with me after I've moved on to my next read, and the one after that, and ...
