THE VICTORY
CBS commentator Al Michaels said it best as time ran down in the third period. The Soviet Union had just peppered goalie Jim Craig with a barrage of shots with just seconds left. Craig stood on his head and pushed each shot away. The crowd, each one standing and cheering, started the countdown in unison (10... 9...).
The Americans were physical in this game, and in the last minute of the game had 3 hits along the boards as the Soviets desperately tried to undo the unthinkable - LOSE to the Americans. As the crowd continued the countdown (5...4...) the puck dribbled out to center ice. Michaels, with an excited and shocked voice announced, "do you believe in miracles"??? Then, team USA started the yard sale as players threw their gloves and helmets and mobbed goalie Jim Craig in celebration. The unthinkable happened, and the crowd had just witnessed the what is perhaps the biggest upset in Olympics history.
THE ROAD TO GOLD
They were boys against men, quite literally. At that time (1980), only amatuer players were allowed to compete for the USA in the olympics. The Soviet Union had some of the best players in the world, but were not allowed to play in the NHL, and apparently their communist government didn't pay them to play hockey (wink, wink).
The Soviet team was stacked, and had trained for a decade together. Players like Valeri Kharlamov, Boris Mikhailov, Viacheslav Fetisov and elite goalie Vladislav Tretiak, had destroyed this same team 10-3 in an exhibition game just days before this one. They also took 2 out of 3 games from the NHL all-star team, including a 6-0 beat down in the final game. The Soviets without doubt were the best hockey team in the world. But not on February 22, 1980!
Making this game even more intriguing was the political environment at the time. This was the heat of the "Cold War" between the United States and the Soviet Union. I was 7 at the time. At school we had emergency drills on what to do in case of a nuclear war. Both the US and Russia had assembled massive nuclear arsenals and tension among the two countries was high. It was democracy versus communism with both countries on high alert.
THE PATH
The Soviet Union sailed through the first rounds beating Japan 16-0, The Netherlands 17-4, Poland (8-1), and perennial powerhouse Canada (6-4).
Team USA stayed alive by tieing team Sweden (in the final minute of the game) and winning against second ranked Czechoslovakia (7-3) in an upset victory.
The stage was set for USA vs the Soviet Union in a match that no one imagined team USA could win.
THE MIRACLE ON ICE
Legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks had personally assembled his team. They may not have been the best players in the world, or even amongst the amateur ranks, but Brooks picked his players based on the team as a whole, not individual skill. Brooks would train them to be gritty and hard working, and to believe in his team first approach.
THE SPEECH
If you've seen the movie "Miracle" brooks gives his famous speech prior to the game against the Soviets. Although it can't be verified word for word, players have confirmed it was along the same lines as in the movie.
Great moments are born from great opportunity.
And that's what you have here tonight, boys.
That's what you've earned here, tonight.
One game!
If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine.
But not this game. Not tonight.
Tonight, we skate with 'em.
Tonight, we stay with 'em, and we shut them down because we can!
Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world.
You were born to be hockey players -- every one of ya.
And you were meant to be here tonight.
This is your time!
Their time -- is done. It's over.
I'm sick and tired of hearin' about what a great hockey team the Soviets have.
Screw 'em!
This is your time!!
Now go out their and take it!
-Herb Brooks
The Americans did just that. They took it. They went on to beat Finland in the gold metal game earning their rightful place as one of the best sports upsets ever,. They achieved the unthinkable. A miracle on ice...
by Jonathan Mullett
Cribbage King
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