Go to the Net: Eight Goals that Changed the Game

by Al Strachan

The ultimate hockey insider shares the lowdown on the personalities, the dressing room banter, the chalktalk, and the sweat-stained passion behind eight of the most famous goals that changed ice hockey forever. Among them are Guy Lafleur's notorious "too many men on the ice" goal in 1979, Wayne Gretzky's overtime goal in Game Two of the Smythe Division finals in 1988, Paul Coffey's dramatic counterattack in the 1984 Canada Cup against the USSR and Brett Hull's disputed 1999 Stanley Cup winner. Al Strachan passes on, in the trenchant style of his famous columns, insights into the goals that reveal not only the way the game has changed but also about the gritty soul of hockey that will remains constant.

Genres: Hockey, Sports

298 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2005

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ...

[Alex Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is important to note that the title might be slightly misleading. These are not the top eight goals that changed hockey, but eight goals that the author witnessed that he believed made an impact. Some did make an impact like Lemieux in 1987 and Iginla in 2002. Others I'm not so sure about.

One of the reasons why this book is enjoyable is you get to read about the 1979 Challenger Cup series and the 1984 and 1991 Canada Cups. These events are usually forgotten and not often mentioned when retelling of big international hockey events, so it is nice to read about them here. The book will also feel a little dated to today's reader, but if you have an interest in any of the goals mentioned I would certainly recommend a reading.

[Sam Spade · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge hockey fan I found this book highly entertaining. The story of the 8 goals is of itself superb but the behind the scenes stories particularly of Wayne Gretzky,the greatest player ever, and his approach to the game and the coaches he played for was very informative. Also one of my favorite players even though he did not play for my favorite team, was Mark Messier. Possibly the greatest team leader in any of the sports and the description that the players had of him made you want to play for the guy.


If you enjoy ice hockey you will enjoy this book immensely.

[Teebz Hbic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Go to the Net can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.