USA defeats USSR in Olympics' "Miracle on Ice" Game
“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
— Al Michaels, ABC Commentator
The "Miracle on Ice" is the nickname given to a February 22 medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, in which a team of amateur and collegiate players from the United States, led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet Union team, who were considered to be the best international hockey team in the world, 4–3.
The U.S went on to win the Gold Medal by beating Finland (4–2) in their final medal round game.
The purpose of this oral history project to is to provide a deeper understanding of
the hockey game between the United States and the U.S.S.R. at the 1980 Olympics in
Lake Placid New York. The examination of the interview with Leonard Shapiro, who
covered the game for the Washington Post, and the events surrounding the game, will
provide for a better understanding on why the event was much more than just a hockey
game.
“Nine out of ten time we play this team, they would beat us. But not tonight because tonight is our night, tonight we win.”
— Herb Brooks
I remember being 14 years old when this happened. I remember that the broadcast of this game was tape delayed. All of my friends and I were wondering about how Team USA was doing as the game was being played. (ESPN and always available news was not around in 1980), One of my friends told me that his dad heard that USA had won the game, but I didn't believe him. I remember watching this game in my living room in Norwood, MA hoping that what was rumored was true but needing to verify it with my own eyes.
Being from Massachusetts, I was particularly enamored with Craig, Eruzione and O'Callahan- as these three were all from Mass. as well. I remember jumping up off my couch when Eruzione scored what turned out to be the game winner, and sweating out the rest of the game as Craig made save after save. And I remember Al Michaels' countdown to victory.
