Should we still care about the Summit Series?

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"If there's a goal that everyone remembers, it was back in 'ol '72"

That's the opening line of The Tragically Hip's Fireworks, which was released in 1998.

The goal to which the band refers is Paul Henderson's iconic game-winner in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series, which essentially sealed victory for Canada after the teams entered the decisive contest with three wins, three losses and one tie apiece.

Now, the time between the release of Fireworks to today and from the song to the goal is nearly equal.

A survey of 1,500 Canadians cited in The National Post this week found that 55 per cent of respondents knew about the series, while only 42 per cent of respondents were familiar with it.

In 2022, if there's a goal that everyone remembers, it was probably in 2010 — Sidney Crosby's golden goal at the Vancouver Olympics.

Friday marks the exact 50th anniversary of Game 1 of the Summit Series. Summit 72, a four-part documentary series sanctioned and supported by 1972 Team Canada players, is coming to CBC and CBC Gem on Sept. 14.

WATCH | Upcoming 4-part series, Summit 72, coming soon:

It sets up a month of reminiscence for many and discovery for others. But the urge for millennials like myself to handwave the entire thing away with a giant 'OK, Boomer' is real, too.

The Summit Series was played during the height of the Cold War, when nationalism ran rampant and the Soviets were world enemy No. 1.

Over eight games of hockey, Canada had its chance to make its mark in the battle against communism. Even though Canada wasn't a main player in the Cold War, tensions throughout the country