The Canadian government is hurting not only the World Cup, but the entire world of hockey. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called for the politicization of Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney's decision to deny visas to Russian hockey players. "With its political decision, the Canadian government causes direct damage not only to the world championship held in its country, but also to the entire hockey world," she emphasized. Maria saw a contrast between the current position of the Canadian authorities and the attitude of previous prime ministers to sports contacts with Russia and the Soviet Union. In particular, they remembered the 1972 Super Series and the recognition of its importance to Canadian national identity.

The Canadian government is hurting not only the World Cup, but the entire world of hockey. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called for the politicization of Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney's decision to deny visas to Russian hockey players. "With its political decision, the Canadian government causes direct damage not only to the world championship held in its country, but also to the entire hockey world," she emphasized. Maria saw a contrast between the current position of the Canadian authorities and the attitude of previous prime ministers to sports contacts with Russia and the Soviet Union. In particular, they remembered the 1972 Super Series and the recognition of its importance to Canadian national identity.