25 years ago today, the United States amateur hockey team defeated the Soviet Army’s team in the Olympic games 4-3. Do you remember Al Michaels “Do you believer in miracles? YES!” This wasn’t even the gold medal game (which the US won.) This was a bunch of unknowns, kids really, beating the great Soviet team, one which had dominated the olympics, winning the previous 5 of 6 gold medals in hockey. They declined to participate in the one Games that they didn’t win.This was a time of the Cold War. Vietnam was still very much in the national conscieous. Cable television was a hot new thing, and people were able to watch the game, and see the USA’s triumphant win at Lake Placid.
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Teach,
It was big, indeed. Larger than sport. I recall it vividly. I’ve got a framed picture from the newspaper of the victory celebration on the ice … in my office.
It reminds me that in America … the sky’s the limit.
Don’t forget that the Iranians still held some of our citizens hostage during this time. Jimmy Carter’s failed presidency had taken a major toll on the people–malaise, stagflation, seeming impotence in the face of an enemy. In some small way, what the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team did reminded America of her greatness and her ability to overcome even seemingly insurmountable odds. DC is absolutely right in saying that the win was larger than sport. I’ll show my youth here, but I was only 3 when it happened. I have no memory of it, but still, I get chills when I hear a recording of Micaels making that call, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”
Indeed, back when the Olympics were a sport and not a profession.
Not a NHL fan…but avid Winter Olympics nut.. I remember it well…it was probably the greatest international sports moment in history!
I remember watching it with family and friends, I was about 12 or 13. Watching that video still gives me the chills.
The “Miracle on Ice” team is the reason I became a hockey fan. Had never had an interest in hockey prior to seeing them on their march towards the Gold medal. Congrats to them once again on the 25th Anniversary (The husband and I watched the replay of the game this past Sunday night on ESPN Classic – still exciting all these years later!).