9781422284254

GREATEST MOMENTS

The Miracle on Ice

The most famous moment in American international hockey history came on February 22, 1980, in Lake Placid, New York. It was the semifinal game in the 1980 Winter Olympic ice hockey tournament in which the United States played the Soviet Union. Most experts expected the Soviets to demolish the less-experienced Americans. The Soviets had won the last four Olympic gold medals, losing only one Olympic hockey game since 1960.

The Americans were mostly college kids and the youngest team in the tournament. But they had played well under coach Herb Brooks to this point. As expected, the Soviets dominated and led 3-2 going into the third. But goals by Mark Johnson and captain Mike Eruzione gave the United States a 4-3 lead with 10 minutes to go. Broadcaster Al Michaels famously asked and answered, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” as the clock ticked down on the victory. The United States beat Finland two days later to win the gold.

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