Super Series’ Internal Rivalry

“There’s a lot of history.  I remember watching a lot of highlights from Canada/Russia.  To be apart of the rivalry is pretty crazy. You always want to win.” - Boone Jenner

The rivalry between Canada and Russia has been well documented on the ice; with the ’72 Summit Series and the countless Junior and National team battles that they have been involved in.

No matter what level, or what’s on the line, the results are fairly consistent; the boys from the Great White North usually end up on the winning side.

Not to mention that the hatred that the rivalry is built upon is pretty intense.

From a young age, most Russians and Canadians are implanted with a “they are the enemy” mindset when it comes to international hockey.

In fact, I can pretty well guarantee that no player from Russia says to his pals “I’m Sidney Crosby!” as they gear up to play a game of pond puck.  And vice-versa for Canadian lads.

Aside from that, there is another sort of “rivalry” that takes place during international play  – especially at the junior level.

It comes from the players who play against each other fairly often during the regular season having to co-exist in the same dressing room  and on the same team with the common goal of beating their overseas rival.

Is it a difficult to do?

“I don’t think it’s hard,” said Oshawa General and Team OHL member Boone Jenner.  “We put our ego behind us, and worry about our team competing vs. the Russians.”

The Guelph Storm’s Peter Holland, who had an assist in Team OHL’s 4-0 game three victory Thursday night over the Russians, echoed Jenner’s thoughts.

“As soon as you put on the same jersey, it doesn’t matter what happened the last game you played them, what happened in the past or what’s going to happen in the future,” he said.  “As much as it’s tough to play against them in league play, it’s nice to have everyone together on one team.”

There was one player however who many on team OHL were happy to be on the same side with, instead of playing against him.

“A guy that’s tough to play against is [Erik] Gudbranson,” Holland said with a cheeky smile on his face.  “I really like ‘Guddy’ but he’s tough to play against because he’s so big and physical.”

Asked to elaborate a little more, Holland again took the high road.

“He’s a really good guy, and it’s nice to be on his team for once rather than going against him.”

“Guddy” didn’t offer up any jabs at the Storm forward when prompted either.

“I usually play against him, but today [Thursday] we were teammates and it’s great having him on my team,” Gudbranson – a member of the Kingston Frontenacs – said.  “Holland is a great player himself and you know something good is going to happen when he’s got the puck.”

Whichever way you look at it, there are always rivalries in sports, especially when it involves international play.

And whether there’s hatred or not within a group of players, there’s been proof time and time again that once they put on their countries’ jersey, all angst goes out the window and winning at all costs – no matter who the opponent – becomes the new goal.

We were all nurtured with that concept in mind.