 The 1954 World Championships has been described by the IIHF as " the start of the modern era of international hockey . " The tournament saw the first participation of the Soviet Union in international competition . The Soviet Union had organized its first ice hockey league in 1946 , having previously focused on bandy . Led by coach Arkady <unk> , the Soviet national team finished their first six games undefeated . Canada , represented by the East York <unk> , was also undefeated and , in the final game of the tournament , the two teams met for the first time in international competition . The Soviet Union won the game 7 – 2 , becoming the fifth team to win a World Championship tournament . The 1955 World Championship was held in West Germany , and the two teams again met in the final game of the tournament . The game was so high profile in Canada that announcer Foster Hewitt flew to Germany to provide play @-@ by @-@ play coverage . Both teams were undefeated and Canada , represented by the Penticton Vees , defeated the Soviets 5 – 0 to reclaim the World Championship . At the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d 'Ampezzo , Italy , Canada 's Kitchener @-@ Waterloo Dutchmen lost to both the Soviets and the United States in the medal round and won the bronze . The Soviets went undefeated and won their first Olympic ice hockey gold medal . It would be seven years until the Soviet Union won another World Championship . 
