Miracle on Ice

Miracle on Ice
123 Total
 Soviet Union 210 3
 United States 202 4
DateFebruary 22, 1980
ArenaOlympic Center
CityLake Placid, New York, U.S.
Attendance8,500
Herb Brooks Arena (2019)

The "Miracle on Ice" was an ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. It was played between the hosting United States and the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men's hockey tournament. Though the Soviet Union was a four-time defending gold medalist and heavily favored, the United States upset them and won 4–3.

The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games, and they were the favorites to win once more in Lake Placid. The Soviet team consisted of professional players with significant experience in international play.[1] By contrast, the United States team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, was composed mostly of amateur players, with only four players with minimal minor-league experience. The United States had the youngest team in the tournament and in U.S. national team history.

In the group stage, both the Soviet and U.S. teams were unbeaten; the U.S. achieved several surprising results, including a 2–2 draw against Sweden,[2] and a 7–3 upset victory over second-place favorite Czechoslovakia.[3][4]

For the first game in the medal round, the United States played the Soviets. Finishing the first period tied at 2–2, and the Soviets leading 3–2 following the second, the U.S. team scored two more goals to take their first lead midway in the third and final period, then held on and won 4–3.[5][6] Two days later, the U.S. won the gold medal by beating Finland in their final game. The Soviet Union took the silver medal by beating Sweden.[7][8]

The victory became one of the most iconic moments of the Games and in U.S. sports. Equally well-known was the television call of the final seconds of the game by Al Michaels for ABC, in which he declared: "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the "Miracle on Ice" the top sports moment of the 20th century.[9] As part of its centennial celebration in 2008, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) named the "Miracle on Ice" as the top international ice hockey story of the past 100 years.[10]

  1. ^ Soares, John (2018). "Amateur vs. Professional in Cold War Hockey: A Consideration of Relative Skill Levels and Their Implications for Professional Hockey Today". Notre Dame Journal of International & Comparative Law. 8 (1): 2–4. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  2. ^ "U.S. hockey team ties Sweden". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. February 13, 1980. p. 1C.
  3. ^ "Americans stun Czechs in Olympic ice hockey". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. February 15, 1980. p. 1C.
  4. ^ "U.S. pucksters upset Czechs, boost medal odds". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. February 15, 1980. p. 10.
  5. ^ "Americans surprise Soviets, 4-3". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. February 23, 1980. p. 4B.
  6. ^ Shalin, Michael (February 23, 1980). "U.S. ices spot in hockey history". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. p. 15.
  7. ^ "U.S. defeats Finland, clinches hockey gold". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. February 25, 1980. p. 5B.
  8. ^ Richman, Milt (February 25, 1980). "U.S. win was ultimate upset". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. p. 9.
  9. ^ "The 20th Century Awards: Sports Illustrated honors world's greatest athletes". Sports Illustrated. December 3, 1999. Archived from the original on September 3, 2000. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  10. ^ "Top Story of the Century". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved April 4, 2010.