It was a round-robin game between Sweden and Russia, and the stakes were high as could be. The Swedish 50-plus-game streak of preliminary wins was on the line, and tension ran high.

There was Arvid Costmar, a player with a bit role profile thrust into high-leverage minutes, tying up Vasili Podkolzin, the Russian captain and a bull-type of power forward harkening back to the hockey of years past.

They battled in the corner, and Costmar held the line. Podkolzin fought to free himself, hopelessly, like a deer trying to escape the grip of a well-positioned constrictor. Eventually, the two collapsed to the ice, and Podkolzin slammed his stick against the surface to express his frustration with the Swedish pivot.

It was at this moment that Costmar introduced himself to Podkolzin rather than any Can