Miracle on Ice
Nowadays, most assume a team of college athletes will fare poorly against a team of professionals in a real game. This scenario nearly happened during a 1980 Winter Olympics hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was a firm favorite, winning the previous four goal medals while losing only once in 29 matches, whereas the US team was full of amateurs and a few minor league hockey players.
The USA team was the youngest in the tournament, averaging 21 years, and surprisingly had strong results early on, including a 7-3 upset over another big favorite in Czechoslovakia. As a result, the US was to face the Soviet team in the first game of the medal round.
The Soviets took an early lead, but the score was 2-2 after the first period; the Soviets led 3-2 after the second. Next, at 8:39 into the third, the US tied it thanks to Mark Johnson. Finally, Team USA took its first lead at the 10-minute mark and held on for the victory. The team would go on to win the gold medal against Finland.
Quotes
Do you believe in miracles?
Al Michaels
Related Media
Miracle
A movie based on the real-life Team USA Olympic hockey team upset over Russia
References
-
Inside the Miracle on Ice: How Team USA defied the numbers to beat the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics
It was an improbable miracle, but the Americans carried out what they wanted to do against the Soviets. They had the right players, the right goalie and the right coaching staff.
ESPN
-
1980 Miracle on Ice: Greatest Moment in Sports History Will Never Get Old
On this day, we remember what it felt like to stare impossible in the eye and not be the first to look away. We remember that was possible because of a childlike belief among a group of young hockey players and their aggressive but supportive coach.
Bleacher Report
