It's gotta be Canada vs USSR, which, traditionally, are the two best hockey-playing countries. The number of gold medals each of these two nations has won speaks for itself. However, since the fall of Communism has hurt Russian hockey, I'd say the two best countries are now Canada and the Czech Republic.
Nowadays, the biggest rivalry might be even be between Sweden and Finland.
2007-01-14 06:17:07 · 22 answers · asked by Leafs_Fan 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I think USA vs Russia might be big from the American standpoint, but not on an international level ... and that rivalry only came about during the 1980 Winter Olympics and then quickly dafed into oblivion.
2007-01-14 06:30:48 · update #1
mens: canada/russia - 72 Summit Series, most recent world juniors, and many other years in between
womens: canada/usa - no question
2007-01-14 15:01:01 · answer #1 · answered by nerdy girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually you clearly don't understand what a Rivalry is in my view. As to the USA vs Russia, that never really happened it was USA vs USSR. It was about the Cold War and about Democracy vs Communism. As to one of the biggest Rivalries I would say the Czech Republic vs Russia. The Czech Republic still holds the invasion of Czechoslovika against Russia. See to me a REAL rivalry isn't based simply on who wins, it is based on the history as to why the two have something against each other.
2007-01-14 17:57:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Canada/Russia has died down along with the Soviet Union. It hasn't been the same as something like say, the Summit Series. Canada/USA started picking up after '98 Olympics. But, yeah, Sweden/Finland is one of the bigger rivalries now. Who knew Scandinavians can be so violent?
2007-01-14 15:38:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
probably canada and russia (or USSR) back then because they were the biggest teams back then. U.S and USSR was big in the 1980 olympics but that was about it. Canada and US is hard because the US respects canadian players because they make up most of the NHL and canada respects america because if the U.S wasn't in the NHL then canadian teams wouldn't have anyone to play against! plus it's kinda hard to have a rivalry with players that you play with in your regular team.
i agree with sweden and finland. since they were the two top teams in the 2006 winter olympics and they are very together as a team (as in unlike canada and us because all their players come from the NHL and they don't have time to really practice together) they probably have stronger feelings against each other (does that make sense?)
2007-01-15 17:08:08 · answer #4 · answered by skijunkie1124 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be that Canada vs the Soviets was THE game to watch but these days I think Canada vs USA draws more interest and more attention, not to mention bruised bodies. Sweden vs Finland is indeed a heated rivalry but it involves way fewer fans and attention so it can't be the top rivalry.
2007-01-14 23:19:46 · answer #5 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm american and I know the obvious answer is Canada vs. Russia. They are the two best hockey countries with the best players and the most medals.
2007-01-14 20:51:14 · answer #6 · answered by tnix80 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No doubt about it being Sweden and Finland. It is the number one sport in both countries. Watching the Gold medal game in Torino just shows how die hard these two countries are about hockey.
2007-01-15 16:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by jarlee_99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Czech Republic and Russia. There is a lot of bad blood between them because of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Czech/Soviet games used to be some of the dirtiest international hockey in the 70's and 80's.
2007-01-14 15:56:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Are people serious?
Russia vs USA?
Pure American propaganda!
Canada vs. Russia (USSR) is the biggest by far!
2007-01-14 20:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by sensfantodd 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Canada vs. USA they hold the most positions in the NHL and they are the only 2 north american hockey teams
2007-01-14 14:39:58 · answer #10 · answered by Jim S 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋