1980 Olympic Hockey USA vs USSR

[@heyboy33333]

I remember watching this game and thinking it was over when the Soviets took the 3-2 lead. It was an awesome game. The day after the game a Soviet MIG flew close to an american carrier and the US sent up 2 planes to intercept it. The pilot of the MIG radioed the US planes and congratulated them on the US win.

[@kdonovan221]

heyboy33333 great story about the Mig’s thank you

[@victorbonilla4634]

That Soviet pilot was last seen in his new residence... Siberia..👤😂

[@johnmchugh8962]

I remember sitting in front of the TV, and a banner crawled across the screen, the US 4 and the Soviets 3, final. This was not shown live. I ran into the other room where my father and older brother were reading the evening newspaper. I was shouting, "we beat the Russians in hockey." I was accused of making this story up until the game was actually broadcast. As Flyer fans, we had a previous memory of beating (up) the Soviets four years earlier, when other NHL franchises had little success. This group of 'kids' from Minnesota, Boston, and wherever wasn't given a shot.

[@frasierthebichon7422]

heyboy33333 ......source please ?

[@Devils-jc1xh]

@@johnmchugh8962 The referees alliowed The Broad Street Bullies to play like the Hanson brothers until the Soviet coach pulled his team off the ice. The Soviets would have crushed the Flyers on the PP if the North American refs had called the blatant penalties. That game was a catastrophe.

[@bobdonovan34]

1st Period Goals USSR 14:05 USA 20:34 USSR 26:45 USA 30:20 2nd Period Goal USSR 37:58 3rd Period Goals USA 1:23:20 USA 1:26:45 Last Minute of Game + Do you believe in Miracles!! 1:45:44

[@zipzapzam6551]

Bob Donovan oh my god thank you so much

[@rxnbeer]

Thanks

[@harrisonutoft5871]

Bob Donovan yes and thank you 🙏 sir

[@darualid]

0:01.... hockey!!

[@robertharvey9047]

Devils coach John USA draft day

[@sneedus3476]

Absolutely unbelievable performance by Jim Craig saving 39 shots against the Soviet Union... wow. All I can say is wow.

[@jamessollazzo4860]

then think about the other side: 4 goals on 16 shots! this is where they lost the game!

[@nutrock522]

@@jamessollazzo4860 as a goaltender when you get little shots and you spend long stretches without saves you get kinda jarred when a shot finally comes your way. Not like I’d be rooting for Russia anyway lmao

[@danieljordan7194]

My thoughts exactly 😤 What a legendary performance by Craig that day.Outstanding👍🇺🇲

[@cacornhusker2940]

"....have you ever seen him when his game is ON??"

[@adrianweiler4888]

Actually 17 shots the best goalie in the world didn't have a good save percentage anyways

[@tonygambino5905]

To add to how impressive this was. For people that aren't diehard hockey fans. In 1979 this same Soviet team PUMMELED the NHL All Stars by a score of 6-0. That team had 19 future hall of famers on it. Then, the year AFTER this game, 1981, the again PUMMELED Team Canada with Wayne Gretzky and the best of Canada by a score of 8-1. And we come along with a group of college kids. Its unprecedented. Forget Buster Douglass/ Mike Tyson. This is THE greatest upset in sports history. That Soviet team was a machine. They skated circles around the best NHL Canadian players at the time. I would equate this, in other sports, with an all-star high school basketball team beating the NBA Champs or a D-3 college basketball team beating the Dream Team. I might even equate it with a women's team beating an NBA team. Its that big. The skill level was that different.

[@thedominatior39]

And to think that 81 Canada team had Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Gilbert Perreault etc

[@WaltGekko]

The basketball equivalent actually did happen in late 1982, when Chaminade (then an NAIA school) upset then-#1 Virginia with Ralph Sampson (Chaminade is now Division II and is the host school for the Maui Invitational). Next closest is probably this past year's NCAA tournament when Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) upset (again!) #1 Virginia in the first round, the first time since the Men's Tournament in 1985 expanded to 64 (now 68) teams that a 16 seed knocked out a 1 seed.

[@mrog5481]

I agree. The statement that they might win 1 out of 10 I think misses the mark. It was more like 1 out of 1000.

[@davidcraddick3337]

You left out the part where the Soviet goalie made it into the HoF without ever playing in the NHL, the only person in the HoF to have accomplished that feat.

[@loumac2955]

I was stationed at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery Alabama on Feb 22, 1980. As a huge hockey fan, this Olympics was of huge interest to me, especially because Mark Johnson was a hometown Pittsburgh Penguins property. Not much was expected of this group (maybe a Bronze medal) but after a dramatic last minute tie in their opener and a big win over a favored Czech team, people started to take notice but no one expected a win over the mighty soviets. My father in Pittsburgh Pa. called me around 5:00 that afternoon and told me he had heard the final score on the radio and wanted to know if I wanted to know. I was sure they had lost and just hoped we had given them a game and said what the heck, tell me. My dad told me not just the final score but when every American goal came and who scored it. So that evening watching the game with a room full of fellow airmen, several of whom, to steal Al Michaels line, didn't " know a blue line from a clothes line", I watched what is still one of the most exciting sporting events I've ever seen knowing when everything was going to happen. I just watched it again and I still can't stop smiling. A week to the day that the USA cinched the Gold medal with their win over Finland, I drove home to see Mark Johnson (the real hero of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team) make his debut with the Pens at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. It was a Sunday afternoon scoreless tie with the New York Islanders (no OT back then) but I was really happy to be there. In my life I have been lucky enough to be at World Series games, Stanley Cup Final games, 3 Steelers Super Bowls and numerous other big sporting events but watching the US beat Russia on a tv with rabbit ears in far away Alabama, knowing the final score 39 years ago tonight, is still one of my most cherished sports memories. The lift that we, and the entire US military, got that night and the whole country got from this amazing game can't be described. Thank You boys!

[@smitchix1]

I'm 51 years old. I was 11 when I watched this. I will never forget it. I cried watching the end today...again.

[@tyronejackson832]

Me too, buddy, I was 16 at the time and watching this game now in 2021, it’s still intense even though I know the outcome. Absolutely the best sports moment.

[@thetwinlabfuel3893]

as well, my friend.USA

[@rocknrollbob247]

Think I was 13, and hanging on EVERY second. Still grabs me.

[@ultrametric9317]

I was 21 and in love with Denise Biellmann, an extremely hot Swiss figure skater, my other happy memory of these games :) The USA still needed a tie with Finland on Sunday to get the gold - talk about nerve wracking!

[@azryder2919]

Me too

[@angusthecat1689]

41 years ago today. the greatest moment in american sports history and nothing else is even close

[@guyman8844]

The 2008 summer olympics men’s 4x100 freestyle relay come from behind win was a pretty amazing moment as well.

[@cadenmerrifield436]

Isn’t it crazy how this is watched on KZbin by kids who weren’t even born when this happened.

[@Ecto1944]

@@cadenmerrifield436 my dad way 10 when this game was played...the internet is probably the closest we’ll get to time travel

[@jeromes5183]

For me it was the Kerri Strug vault with the severe ankle sprain - I tear up just thinking about it. But I get it.

[@runcaz7802]

Billy Mills winning the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics has its place right alongside this.

[@JTDutch]

"In a political or nationalistic sense, I'm sure this game is being viewed with varying perspectives ... but manifestly, it is a hockey game. The United States and the Soviet Union, on a sheet of ice in Lake Placid, New York." I don't think enough people really appreciate how great that quote is. It's absolutely incredible. Al Michaels set this moment in time up so perfectly and honestly.

[@daboys1215]

It started out as "just a hockey game" but it turned out to be so much more. It turned into history. What other game are people watching on KZbin nearly 39 years later?

[@aaronbradley3232]

Asshole lmao

[@conskate]

Dryden adding just the right amount of salt

[@alexanderkruger4314]

I wrote my undergrad and my masters papers on this game and how it affected the cold war. This is one of my favorite quotes ever from a person.

[@spwb2k]

Before the Miracle on Ice, Al Michaels was just one of many capable young sportscasters. His performance at the Olympics made him a superstar.

[@chrisdempsey4148]

I was at this game as a nine year old... What an amazing experience to take with me the rest of my life... It must have been a very special moment since my dad cried at the end, which was only one of three times in my life that I saw my dad crying... My dad was/is "old school" tough, but loving dad and I will always have that memory with me as long as I live...

[@HockeyZyn]

I wish I was alive at the time I bet that was so flippin cool

[@vondihowe9801]

I'm jealous!! Wow! I can only imagine!

[@makj1229]

That must have been amazing. I was a junior in high school when this happened. That one event created so much excitement that my high school actually started up our hockey program the following year. The first time I went to Lake Placid was about 10 years later and I still felt a rush being near that arena.

[@sandranorman5469]

How wonderful that your Dad and you got to see it.

[@marcstov]

Your story really touched me. Somehow your dad realized how amazing this was. RIP.

[@kylev5602]

I was 10 when this game was on. Dave Christian was my hero while he played for the University of North Dakota and I was thrilled he was on the Olympic team. I got my picture taken with him while attending summer hockey school in Grand Forks just a few months after the Miracle on Ice game. I still have the picture 43 years later.

[@charlottewood8964]

I watched the game at UND. I'm from Grand Forks also. To be there with all those hockey players and the big screen we seen everything. I'm sure I lost a few years of my life watching Craig's saves. Never so proud.

[@kelanders]

One of the greatest moments in my life. I grew up playing high school hockey in Minnesota idolizing Herb Brooks and playing against 6 of the Minnesota players on the team. I felt connected to this team and for some reason, always had faith they were capable of doing something great. I remember listening to the game with my Dad, who was terminally ill with cancer and one of the last best memories we were able to share together. I never get tired of watching this. It really does represent the best of what team sports is all about.

[@mittnagivag4867]

My parents used to go to parties at Mark Johnsons Parents house (he was four yrs older than myself), John Suter, Bob's Brother was my high school gym teacher (interning from the UW), bought my most recent pair of skates from Bob Sutter (at his first shop). Can ya guess where I grew up? :-) Hats off to the real "Amercia's Team" !

[@kelanders]

@@mittnagivag4867 Mark Johnson is THE reason the USA was in a position to win. He set the tempo for the rest of the team and his two goals were amazing. I love that guy, a true hockey hero.

[@83Henno]

Beautiful

[@christopherrios7767]

Awesome man

[@thetwinlabfuel3893]

I agree. I was 11 and remember drawing an American (USA) flag after.

[@charger9105]

There will never be another sporting event like this. Ever.

[@johnny.vongkhamchanh171]

Ken Morrow would win this game, a gold medal, then the Stanley cup all in this year. He then won 3 more cups in a row.

[@mclovin9578]

As a Canadian I was rooting for the US and was dancing for Joy. While I don't disagree about this being an amazing sporting event...Canada beating the Soviets in '72 was pretty amazing, too.

[@bahhumbug9824]

@@mclovin9578 Yeah but that that was thanks to a cheap shot by Bobby Clarke. He totally hacked at that dude's ankle.

[@mclovin9578]

@@bahhumbug9824 I don't disagree with you there. That was a shit play. I'm just saying it was the type of sporting event that falls under that "One of a kind" umbrella.

[@bunt1691]

Kids best an all star team

[@tragickdisgruntledfu]

Still the Greatest Sporting Event Ever!!! 42 years ago Today!!! I can't believe no one else has posted. I will never forget this game. Do you believe in Miracles??? Yes!°

[@mikestevenson576]

Was it a sporting event or something way bigger?

[@Yuriy_Mironov]

Are you pidar?

[@pherdeenand2855]

@@Yuriy_Mironov Вата ты е..аная.

[@toddjohnson7572]

@@mikestevenson576 Ugggggh. WAY bigger. And yes.

[@kenbulut-oe8sb]

The '73 Belmont Stakes may have been greater.

[@wmst5065]

Funny, you know how it ends but it still feels like the damned clock isn't ticking down fast enough.

[@vondihowe9801]

And you still hold your breath till that buzzer rings!

[@sandranorman5469]

Eruzione said they had no idea the effect they were having on a nation hungry for a positive result.

[@jacksongaeng4027]

‘Merica.

[@chicken_953]

I watched this a hundred times and I still get chills watching this!

[@imilf2003]

@@chicken_953 yup me 2

[@imilf2003]

Jim Craig won that game for the USA he stood on his head turning the USSR away.

[@KMK7355]

Mad Dog, Jim Craig's BU coach Jack Parker had a saying. "Sometimes hockey should be called goalie".

[@imterpsfan2]

I'd also say that Mark Johnson also played a key role. He had two goals but the one right before the end of the first period gave the US a great deal of confidence.

[@minneapolisboysvarsityhock4314]

Very true, but remember, they had Tretiak, the best goalie in the world, it's not like they had a sieve in the net. When the CCCP tied Ken Dryden's Montreal team Dec 31, 1975, it was #20 who stole that game. Dryden admitted he played poorly. That was a team that took 80% of its points and went 12-1 in the SC including dismantling the 2x defending champion Flyers (guess what they had a pretty good goalie as well.) They were among the best ever. But Vlad stood on his head. USA was good beyond Craig, they beat Czechoslovakia 7-3. KMK, i had not heard that Jack Parker saying but it is awesome Thank You for that. I am going to say American Football should be called QB.

[@drlepper72]

Craig stood on his head the entire olympics. But yes, on that night he had angels on his shoulders

[@ducksinarowpatience]

It was a team. He'd be the first to tell you that.

[@cirvine11]

Still, by far, the most intense sporting event I’ve seen. I watched this on a black and white tv when I was 8-years old. I jumped around yelling the countdown during the last minute like a complete madman. It shaped me as a young athlete. Whenever the odds were against me I remembered the spirit of this team, its dedication and integrity. It’s the winning spirit. It helped me do the same many times.

[@toddjohnson7572]

Reggie Miller..... looking good.......!

[@kurtbarks1]

I remember watching this on TV. My father was a decorated veteran from the Korean War and he wept like a baby from shear happiness. I never saw him so happy. The one and only time I really ever cared about the Olympics. I don’t regret it.

[@mckessa17]

In 1972 our Canadian team loaded with NHL players barely beat the Russians in the Summit Series. For this American team to do it with only college players was absolutely amazing.

[@Rockhound6165]

Fun Fact: Had there been an internet back then we would have known the score before the game was actually aired. The game was actually played in the late afternoon because the Soviets refused to allow the game to be played later. I don't think we would have been this emotionally involved had we known the outcome. Only those in Lake Placid and the TV networks knew.

[@SARDiverDave]

I still am brought to tears every time I see this. I just can't help it.

[@jhatgotagat300]

Him “ya it’s one thing to have a entire country be technologically further ahead than another but in hockey they are equals”

[@robedmund9948]

Watched this live with my parents. It was the first time I saw my mom yelling at the TV and going crazy over a televised sporting event. This was such an important time for America and for Americans. What a great time to be alive!

[@kurtgreaser988]

The game was tape delayed in US. Only way you could have seen it live was If you lived near Canadian boarder and got the CBC live feed.

[@robedmund9948]

@@kurtgreaser988 That's probably right, but in that day and age no one knew the outcome of the game when it was broadcast in our area.

[@kurtgreaser988]

Probably fairly true but if you watch the intro by John McKay hints st the upset as well as Phil Mayers gold medal in skiing. A hockey friend if mine that was a little older rembers running home from school so he could listen to the game live on Canadian radio. Despite living near Buffalo they could not tune the CBC TV feed that day due to weather.

[@jefferyscott6402]

Play your gAme!

[@jefferyscott6402]

Play your game

[@jameschar24]

Probably the greatest play-by-play call in American sports history.

[@jwebbs]

@user-lv2ot4pq7x great reply

[@jeffmurray1681]

Al Michael's was incredible. He didn't miss a shot or a name and called it in real time. And of course, there was the "do you believe in miracles!"

[@bauerj3398]

Hell, it wasn't even the best play-by-play call of this event. I will take Chaplin's radio call every day of the week. Interesting enough, they were in the same booth. You can hear 'unbelievable' in the background of the radio call.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

A group of people who often do not get enough credit for this upset: The Team USA hockey coaching staff. Not only for all the training and preparation, but actually instilling a belief in their young men that they could pull off something like this. Unreal.

[@americangiant1003]

Matt Smith Great point. Especially Then Assistant Coach Craig Patrick. Patrick had just retired as an a player prior to these Olympics. Plus the then young dude would become a legend of his own becoming among the better General Managers/Executives in NHL history winning multi Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[@mckinziechapman1622]

My dad said that there was alot of people crying & chanting "USA" the day after this game & my dad also said that this game was like war because it was so intense.

[@stevenamato6289]

Your dad is a very smart person.

[@decoture3822]

well it was during the cold war so there was a bit of tension between them lol

[@bonaventureokafor2637]

Me doing field hockey at school: So you have chosen death This game: SO YOU HAVE CHOSEN WAR

[@SHAWN_WITH_THE_CURLS]

Capitalism vs Communism

[@vwm8534]

David and Goliath story. I remember hockey all over the US grew in popularity after this. We had a minor league team that averaged around 4000 per game. After this they were getting 7 to 10 thousand.

[@MissLilRedRooster]

This was SERIOUSLY the best moment in sport history in that century. Even for non-hockey fans, THIS was the moment that defined a generation of sports.

[@hristo5689]

In American history*. Only 4 nations cared about hockey at the time. It wasn't even the best hockey upset of that decade (Poland beating the USSR 6-4 in 1976 was). Overall the biggest upset in sports last century was Uruguay beating Brazil 2-1 at the 1950 World Cup.

[@alexanderjakel8001]

@@hristo5689 Enh. No. Only about 1 countries cares about Uruguay, ever. Maybe 2, if Argentina was ever worried about going to war with them. And more than 25 countries were invested in the sport of hockey at the time, which for the winter Olympics, is a veritable goddamn coup. It led to hockey becoming the third watched sport on this planet- no comparison to soccer and cricket of course, but hey- we'll take it. ;) And Poland's victory was in the IHWC- a far cry from the importance of the Olympics.. partially why nobody gives a shit about that to this day. Idunno, maybe I need to visit Montevideo and Warsaw and see the footage of these glorious upsets myself. Until then, just accept the fact my brother.

[@hristo5689]

@@alexanderjakel8001 “Nobody has ever cared about Uruguay” Coming from a guy who admitted himself that soccer is the most popular sport in the world. And why are you talking about a war? Are politics ALWAYS connected to sports to Americans? Probably the reason why you put so much impact to the Olympics - the most valuable sporting competition for political fanatics, especially communists. “More than 25 countries invested in hockey at the time” I can’t believe someone can be this delusional... Ice hockey has never even been a top 10 most popular sport, to say the very least. It’s never even been the most popular version of hockey. Max 6 countries cared about it in 1980. Now it’s 8 and only in 3 it’s the most popular sport. According to you if a country has a hockey team that means they invest huge money in the sport. I guess China must eat and breathe hockey, having a national team that will perform at the Olympics after all. “Partially why nobody gives a shit about that to this day” It’s been the most mentioned defeat in Russia. Maybe you don’t realize this but the Soviet Union was BY FAR the greatest and most dominant hockey nation in history who were literally toying with Canadians and never losing a series/semifinal/final/important game to them. That’s why it doesn’t take any more embarrassing than them losing to a country where barely anybody knows that there’s a sport called ice hockey. If the Soviets cared that means it’s a big deal.

[@litledevel15]

@@hristo5689 yeah … no

[@419HLR]

@@hristo5689 you sound foolish

[@sellers737]

If you played them 10 times they might win 9. But not this game. Not. Tonight.

[@MandoArredondo]

Steve S yes... Cause that night.. was our night ☺️ 🇺🇸

[@Emper0rH0rde]

"Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world."

[@luciencollins9935]

This is your time now go out there and take it

[@jeffdekimpe1746]

That's why they play the games dude.

[@nomoresorcery4me170]

If they played 100 times theyed win 99

[@kc8639]

Every single time I watch this I get emotional. How could one game captivate me so greatly? Man, does our Nation ever need something like this to bring us all together again.

[@nonokayakjack]

It was a scary time knowing there where enough missiles pointed at North America to kill everyone 10 times over, but it sure made for meaningful international hockey didn't it? I pity anyone who missed out on it.

[@joec9772]

and ours were pointed right back at them

[@lornacharles8645]

Bull Falls AMEN😃

[@chicken_953]

Can you imagine anyone kneeling during the medal ceremony?

[@robertstroud7561]

Are you CRAZY? This is WAY RACIST There aren't any blacks on the team Nowadays this would never happen EVER

[@quicktastic]

Michael's 'do you believe in miracles?' is great, but I also appreciate his long silence after that and just let everyone soak in the moment. That is an art that has gone away in sports broadcasting.

[@bobm2410]

Amen...silence speaks volumes

[@soccerguy2433]

Michael didn't say it

[@mikestevenson576]

I mainly appreciate Ken Dryden talking through the winning goal and wrecking the call.

[@jamesfields2916]

Greatest call in sports history followed by the greatest cover in Sports Illustrated history. The only cover with no description. The photographer said no words were necessary.

[@ivangamez9773]

Correct. And I'll add so many commentators today just try too hard to dramatize everything. Let the game sell itself.

[@tonygambino5905]

Some interesting tidbits for those interested: Between the 2nd and 3rd period the Soviets were just joking around in the locker room. They still didn't even take this seriously even though they were only up 3-2. They got serious after Euruzione's goal but even then Tretiak said until the last minute he didn't think it was possible that the Soviets would lose this game. The US team also said they were glad that the older guys like Kharlamov and Mikhailov were on the ice a lot near the end. They were having the most trouble with the young skaters like Krutov and Makarov. you could tell in the last minute the older guys looked a little gassed. Mikhailov later said they were a bit shocked by the conditioning and energy the US team had down the stretch. The Soviets normally were the ones who dominated the 3rd period cuz they were so well-conditioned and ran their 4 lines evenly for the entire game. Its also interesting that the Soviets never pulled their goalies in the last minutes of play. No one really knows why to this day. Some surmise that they were rarely ever losing in the last minute so they simply never practiced it or saw any use for it. And finally, the CANADIAN coach, before the tournament, said that he thought if anyone beat the Soviets he thought it would be the US team. Great insight. The Swedish coach also thought that if anyone had a chance it was the US. He said, "Its something about that team. They have this....this.... Spirit.

[@ethanhatcher5533]

Tony Gambino a Russian player, (I forget who) admitted after Euruzione’s goal, they started panicking

[@B.H.Taylor]

Great tidbits Tony, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@scottaznavourian7617]

Interesting cause canada themselves gave the soviets a pretty good fight...pretty much a sign the soviets were coasting and thought they could flip the switch if they needed 2. And, imo they say they never practiced pulling the goalie. Imo they thought they were invincible

[@tim_nj_devil176]

@@scottaznavourian7617 Finland nearly won as well. The score was 2-1 up until 5 minutes left in the game. So USSR almost did not make it to the medal round. Herb Brooks was right when he said that USSR was ripe for the picking.

[@nk5350]

Good call with the younger Russian skaters like Krutov and Makarov... They were buzzing the net all game....The Russians felt this was their best team to hit the ice too. With the old line of petrov, Kharlamov and Mikhailov one of the best lines ever. Young superstars as Krutov and Makarov.... Fetisov the Russian Bobby Orr....Maltsev Russian alltime goal scorer and the best goalie in the world Tretiak.....

[@johanargente6731]

So weird watching hockey without having the boards and ice surface covered in trashy commercialization.

[@bestoutcomes]

Weird, yes, also very nice.

[@83Henno]

This is an Olympic sized rink as well which is much bigger than NHL rinks. I wish they’d all use Olympic rinks. Much more room for offense

[@jeffreyg4626]

I agree. But when I state on youtube that the hockey rink should be bigger, the net should be bigger (cause the goalies are bigger), and the ads on the boards are an offense to the human eye; some people attack me for being old! I guess some people are sheep and don't mind being advertised to 24 hrs a day. If NHL hockey is so freakin' great today.... why are so many people tuning out to the sport??

[@loganmay5930]

@@jeffreyg4626 long time fans may be, and if you're a long timer then yeah it should be a concern. On the flip side, hockey is gaining traction. I myself have legit watched 3 different games today besides this one, simply bc I finally admit to myself that this is a cool ass sport. I'm watching this because...I mean, idk how you couldn't. This was more than hockey lol

[@azynkron]

When the Olympics was about top athletes competing and not greedy corporations getting lucrative deals.

[@luke-i1w]

I wasn't even alive for this game. I clearly knew the outcome before watching this and I still felt invested the whole time. I can't listen to Al Michaels scream out "Do you believe in miracles?!?!" without a whole body chill that starts in my head and travels all the way to my toes. I don't know why. I don't get that feeling when watching replays of my favorite professional teams winning championships (which I have had the fortune of witnessing 4 of). Just this game. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to Feb. 22nd, 1980 and buy a ticket to this game. I cant imagine the feelings the spectators felt.

[@wb6162]

"Look fellas, you just put the best goalie in the world on the bench"

[@MrDuds1984]

wb6162 it still baffles me that Tikinov pulled Tretyiak, understand that he was trying to send a message but that wasn’t it. It further baffles me why he never pulled the goalie with under a minute to go, best reason I can come up with is that he felt that would be a sign of weakness needing an extra man just to tie the game.

[@rcslyman8929]

@@MrDuds1984 How many times was he ever in that position where pulling the goalie would even be a thought? Movie put it really well when Herb says to Craig, "He doesn't know what to do!"

[@tigerscode9803]

Greatest quotes of all time

[@mortsey]

Best line ever in a sports movie.

[@Tgreenhornt1]

I have a theory about that , that's never been discussed... remember, the last goal was at 1959 of the first period....the benches left the ice and the refs returned the clock to 1 second and dropped the puck... who was in goal? #1 ...when they switched him for that puck drop, the rules might have said he had to stay in... I wish someone could check on this rule...because i've seen similar lately with the new rules of needing two goalies dressed and ready to play.... and international hockey rules are different... just a thought.

[@speterlewis]

One of the most impressive things about Al Michaels commentary was that right after the famous "miracle" comment, he sayed silent and just let the images tell the story. His restraint is remarkable, and makes the moments after that much more wonderful. I was in the streets in Lake Placid that night, and it was absolutely nuts!

[@larrycrosby7869]

@Jane Tannerevans That was my first thought. It was 7 years later, but Scully calling Kirk Gibson's HR against Eck and the A's in the World Series was just like this. Al called a great game this night.

[@JMan-24]

1:47:45. No words necessary. Just pictures.

[@mckessa17]

@@larrycrosby7869 Ken Dryden was a smart guy as well. Got his law degree while playing in the NHL

[@thomaspalazzi7795]

Greatest Sportscaster of all Time!!!

[@CYBERVISIONSdotCom]

It was absolutely FREEZING; I was in Groton that winter, and I remember how cold it was that year (and I used to live in the Colorado Rockies @8k’).

[@PlateletRichGel]

I was watching live after school. When they won, I ran outside in the snow and was jumping up and down by myself.

[@SteveJones-g9n]

It was on a Saturday...

[@paulsonj72]

@@SteveJones-g9nGame was played late Friday afternoon February 22,1980

[@Erndogg12]

@@SteveJones-g9nit was on a Friday. But tape delayed in the US

[@matthewpaluch777]

"Do you believe in miracles?...YES!" - Al Michaels "It's Over!.......Unbelievable!" - Ken Dryden

[@winthorpetrois]

Dryden almost stepped on Al's line.

[@kingtim420]

Dryden like me and the rest of canada just thought its unbelievable a team that bad won. gota get lucky once right? lol but never again from the looks of it lol

[@Seemsayin]

Yeah. We know who said it. We watched it, too. If the audio ever goes bad, we'll know where to look, though.

[@rickblessing2447]

@@kingtim420 A "A team that bad?" They were college kids beating the best hockey team in the world.

[@kingtim420]

Lol once again another American over glorifying what the USA did lol

[@joeyd4364]

40 years ago, New Hampshire primary voters were writing in Herb Brooks and Jim Craig for President.

[@Petey44]

Edward Nehls yes we do

[@seansibley9371]

Edward Nehls ya trump does love russia

[@manofiske3318]

and Sleepy Joe was only 7 years into his near half-century snooze-fest

[@lmbscriptsharcs2044]

Can’t just enjoy a great memory without bringing up politics and trashing a decent human? Rather than the guy who cozies up to dictators? You asked for it? Now you’ve got it. By the way, for one period at least, Jim Craig was the best goalie in the world.

[@gregoryklein2608]

@Edward Nehls buzzer...wrong answer....correct answer. BIDEN

[@mariforest]

Когда был этот матч, я ещё не родился, но это, по всей видимости, просто легендарнейший матч. Hello from Russia, thats great game!

[@German-hv9nv]

Он стал легендарным потому что сборная СССР в неподходящий момент проиграла и упустила практически гарантированные золотые медали. Если бы не проиграла, то и ничего легендарного не было бы. Плюс с тех пор сборная США на Олимпийских играх и чемпионатах мира не побеждала, хотя представляет из себя серьезного хоккейного соперника в отличие от той эпохи и в частности 1980 года. Для меня смотревшего этот матч в детстве легендарным является середина третьего периода, когда я помню как уже в третьем периоде казалось, что матч пусть все таки не убедительно, но закончится благополучно - вдруг практически перевернулся за минуту из-за двух шайб США. А потом оставшиеся десять минут не спасли от поражения, в которые американцы проявили необычную по тем временам цепкость и выносливость, в чем советские игроки были сильнее соперников в ту эпоху.

[@tommyleenielsen7687]

I live in Denmark Europe I alwayes loved USA and hockey I remember I was a 9 year old kid and I saw this game I was electrified and nervous as heck but very proud when America pulled through

[@tommyleenielsen7687]

I am in my heart one of gods children and american

[@fvecc]

"Eleven seconds, you've got 10 seconds, the countdown going on right now. Morrow up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in Miracles?....Yes!"

[@mojoschmee9320]

...and then, my personal favorite: "No words necessary, just pictures..."

[@johnlafontaine4003]

@@mojoschmee9320 Al Michaels is the best.

[@donaldjoy4023]

I was 16 and remember it well, watching the videos brings tears to my eyes even now....the mighty powerhouse Soviet team had not lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968, and was comprised of giant, legendary, world-class professional players who did it for a living....the U.S. team was comprised of college kids thrown together, who had never skated together before coach Herb Brooks(also asked to come on board just for these Olympics) broke them of their individuality enough to make a team out of them. Coming during the height of the Cold War, plus the Iran hostage crisis, the horrible stagflation of the Jimmy Carter presidency, in the abysmal aftermath of having lost the Vietnam War, our country needed this badly. Goalie Jim Craig was astonishing!

[@colinkillian9265]

Wait..This was 82 correct? Wasn't Reagan the president at this time? Also didn't the Iran Hostage crisis end the same day Reagan was sworn into office?

[@donaldjoy4023]

@@colinkillian9265 No, it was 1980. And that's in the video title lol

[@donaldjoy4023]

@@colinkillian9265 but yes the hostages were released as Reagan was bring sworn in!

[@colinkillian9265]

@@donaldjoy4023 Yeah sorry I'm an idiot..Yeah you're right our country definitely needed a win during this period, I was born in 76 so I got to live most of my memorable childhood during the Reagan 80's, didn't have to experience the failure that was Carter. Damn fine human being, not such a great policy maker for sure.

[@donaldjoy4023]

@@colinkillian9265 Be sure to watch the movie "Miracle" starring Kurt Russell. Perfect cinematic masterpiece!!

[@ciarandinsmore879]

It’s been 40 years since this game, and I can say this is the greatest moment in American sports history.

[@chicken_953]

Would you think at what point did Al Michaels and Ken Dryden think the United States had a chance to actually win the game?!?!?

[@JasonH17]

Sad

[@MarcoCostantini33]

@@JasonH17 how

[@JasonH17]

@@MarcoCostantini33 that it is said that this game is the greatest moment in American sports

[@MarcoCostantini33]

@@JasonH17 how is it sad this was a miracle for usa

[@NROD_22]

There will never be anything like this again! Still gives me chills!

[@therealdeal6659]

Nick Rodriguez no pun intended?

[@mtmontgo]

Me too!

[@sandranorman5469]

Until I read it in the newspaper the next day, I still kept thinking that the USSR would tie up the game and go ahead. Never believed it was possible-it really did happen didn’t it?

[@NROD_22]

@@sandranorman5469 Yes it did! 😁👊🏼

[@Definitely8860]

I watched this game with my Dad in 1980. To this day, it was the greatest game of any sport I've ever seen.

[@dennisv8934]

This never gets old.

[@hectorcalzada-rivera3754]

Can’t believe it’s been 40 years since this legendary game. Gives me goosebumps.

[@s.gruber6841]

I was only 4 years old when this happened so I don’t have the first hand account of what happened. But anytime I feel as a country we start to see division and complacency we ought to make watching this miracle on ice a mandatory viewing. This game embodies everything right about our democracy, our freedoms, our courage and our unity. A handful of kiddos from universities across America put together in the nick of time to compete together and bring down the Goliath of its time. The next time you think even once about teaching Americans to hate ourselves or our country, do yourself a favor and watch this masterpiece in its entirety. It’s a perfect microcosm for how we can turn things around. The crowd during the game was rather quiet, but an undercurrent was building until the tying goal in the third period. Then as if propelled by as massive movement they came in like a tsunami after the Americans surged ahead and did not let up. If you watch closely you can see some of the American players lookup occasionally from the bench as if to say “wow, is this really happening?” “Do you believe in us?” Yes! Yes, we did, and still do. This great country of ours is second to none. This comes from a first generation American 🇺🇸 born from Indian immigrant parents. America- never lose your spirit. You are a shining beacon and example for the world. And congratulations to our young boys for this defining moment that still makes me cry tears of joy 40 years later. USA! USA! USA! 🇺🇸

[@wjoseph924]

😂

[@paulsolenick4624]

"No words necessary, just pictures...". I watch this game whenever I am feeling low. It does the trick every time.

[@nonokayakjack]

As a Canadian and a crazy devoted lover of this sport who grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada I am AMAZED at the talent of Al Michaels. He's only done hockey a hand full of times and it was years before this. The guy is extraordinary at what he does.

[@ErichLRuehs]

That is so true. Sir Al should have grown up doing Hockey in Canada!

[@BudSchnelker]

Very good observation. Michaels is not and never has been a hockey broadcaster and yet he slotted in seamlessly for these games. Called the game perfectly without trying to oversell the events on the ice, and seemed to be thoroughly prepared to identify and discuss the players, long before the luxury of having an iPad sitting in front of him. The brilliant Kenny Dryden, who's forgot more about hockey than Michaels ever knew, was actually a drag on Michaels's performance. Witness him talking over Eruzione's goal.

[@chipgriffiths3655]

Fyi, Ed Fitkin beat him out for the LA Kings color commentator for the 67/68 season. I've followed the Kings since then and still don't believe that JKC made that choice.

[@frankkolton1780]

He did it so well, that I had never given it much thought, and he is not even a Canadian. What makes it amazing is that hockey is toughest sport to announce due to the extremely fast pace, quick changes in puck possession between players, and having to memorize the numbers for the names for at least 38 players per game.

[@roguishpaladin]

@@frankkolton1780 Not only 38 players, but in many cases half of them at least were going to be difficult names for a US broadcaster. He even kept the brothers straight on the USSR team.

[@starchboy71]

This was the first hockey game I ever watched and is STILL the most amazing one I have ever seen! 40 years later still brings chills.

[@jamessollazzo4860]

you've missed a great sport all these years

[@susanmotley8268]

I remember listening to the game on the radio at the beach!!!!!!! When the USA went up 4-3, the beach scene went bonkers!!!! Fireworks went off and the people at the beach started chanting USA!!!!!!!!!

[@brandonmorris92]

Was it cold at the beach? It was February after all! 😁

[@gravitytwo4088]

@@brandonmorris92 I went to the beach just yesterday. Weird weather on the coast. It was warm. I'm thinking they were in L.A. or San Diego or Hawaii.

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

They did it in 2016 too! then 2020 sounded like a dry fart!

[@jamessollazzo4860]

where the hell were you?

[@marchky]

I'm a diehard Canada fan but even I get the chills. Great job winning this game USA.

[@landonmercer4397]

marchky it gives everyone those same chills haha

[@coletrickle1775]

14 of the players were Minnesotans, which is like little Canada when it comes to hockey. There is a lot of Canadian mixed in around here. We regularly have 5 teams in our one state ranked in the top 25 in Hockey, and The U of M's ladies hockey team just won the title this year.

[@KMK7355]

Massachusetts provided the two key players in Craig and Eruzione. Also Minnesota wouldn't have dominated the team if Langway, Dunn and Nilan didn't turn pro early along with Mullen. If Cox hadn't gotten hurt he would have also. Tom Gorence would have been only Minnesota kid added if didn't go pro.

[@coletrickle1775]

@@KMK7355 I am in no way trying to disregard or shit on the other players. Without Craig, that team doesn't even get close to medaling, let alon beating them soviets. I'm just saying, 14 of those final 20 were Minnesota boys. "The two key players" I don't buy that. Hockey is a team sport, two players aren't winning any games. Craig stood on his head the entire Soviet game, and Eruzione scored the game winning goal, but it was the effort of the entire team, and the coaching of Herb Brooks, that made that team what it was. I would argue, if that team had any other coach except Minnesota's own Herb Brooks, that team doesn't even make it to the medal round. The soviets destroyed a couple NHL teams, then the NHL all stars, just before the Olympics. They destroyed all conventional coaching for almost 30 years. Herb's coaching, and Craig in the net, would be my two most important to the win factors. Without Herb's coaching, they lose, without Craig standing on his head, they lose.

[@KMK7355]

Cole, They won Gold so it obviously doesn't matter but if all players stayed anateur who were college aged after 1978-79 season here is your 1980 Olympic Team: G Craig-Baker D Langway-Ramsay-Dunn-Morrow Roberts-O'Callahan C Johnson-Broten-Pavelich-Christian W - Mullen Christoff Silk McClanahan Gorence Nilan Cox Strobel

[@beasts4life_99]

14:05 1-0 USSR scored at 9:12 in the first period 20:34 1-1 scored at 14:03 in the first period 26:45 2-1 USSR scored at 17:40 in the first period 30:20 2-2 scored at 19:59 in the first period 37:58 3-2 USSR scored at 2:18 in the second period 1:23:20 3-3 scored at 8:39 in the third period 1:26:45 4-3 USA scored at 10:00 in the third period 1:45:45 1 minute remaining, 4-3 USA lead 1:46:34 final 10 seconds, 4-3 USA lead 1:46:39 final 5 seconds, 4-3 USA lead (do you believe in miracles call) 1:46:44 end regulation, 4-3 USA wins. final

[@laalki80]

Thank you!

[@simplehuman1798]

Herb Brooks nailed it on drilling the guys on endurance so relentlessly

[@deanladue5367]

The drills had their own name. "Herbies".

[@Lava1964]

I'm a Canadian. Before the Olympics my grandfather, who was vacationing in the USA, saw the American team play an exhibition game, and told me he was really impressed with their hustle and work ethic. He predicted great things for them at the Olympics. I just chuckled--but Grandpa turned out to be right!

[@horstebreedow8608]

Your grandpa? Why was he here

[@Lava1964]

@@horstebreedow8608 I think I explained it: He was vacationing in the USA when he saw the U.S. Olympic team play an exhibition game. .

[@horstebreedow8608]

@@Lava1964 not really

[@Lava1964]

@@horstebreedow8608 My grandfather, a Canadian, wintered in Florida for the last decade of his life. Can I make it any clearer?

[@cakecheese2895]

@@Lava1964 you explained it so clearly in your original comment... The other guy is acting silly.

[@mscrub]

Mike Eruzione is the name most people remember from this game but the best performance is clearly that of the goalie Jim Craig.

[@charlottewood8964]

He's the man that I remember. Wow he was slammed. What a game he played.

[@German-hv9nv]

From my point of view the best player of US team was Mark Johnson. He made the second and third goals out of nothing. His second goal kept americans' will to fight on. I remember vividly that after that goal I winced and thought that something unbelievable is going on and our team would have big troubles in this game. The first goal of Schnider was considered as a fluke by me as a result of Tretyak's being unable to be focused that night. But the goal of Johnson was a real shock. It was unfamiliar and surprising to see 2-2 after the first period especially if you had expected dominance of your team over Americans and walking through them easily. I'm Russian and watched this game on live as a kid then.

[@DJBrearley771]

How can anyone watch this and not just have the most pride in our country! I got the chills and misty eyes just from watching this.

[@jimtrack3786]

I was at sea in the Pacific aboard my ship when the Captain came over the loudspeaker to announce the score of this historic game. Hundreds of miles from land we sailors high five'd one another officers and enlisted alike. That night we had all you could eat meat loaf which was delicious!

[@keepingitreel...8037]

jim track - Thanks for serving!

[@garyhanson638]

I had a chance to be at the game on Sunday, the actual medal game. That option I declined on the day before the soviet game. This game was set for Friday, US vs Soviet Union. I got to watch it, not knowing the outcome in advance because the game was at 5 and ABC showed on delay at 8 pm. I watched it from our kitchen table on our small color TV. Just my father and I. It was the correct choice, had I chose to go to Placid I would have missed the broadcast. Most importantly, I shared that moment with my father, who got me playing hockey in 73, and still to this day, once or twice a week. This game will always be a memory of me and my old man and the sport he gave me. Upon his passing, my hero, in 1993, I placed the game puck from my game two nights before, with him. At that time, as a goalie, it was a victory, and a game I knew he would have wanted me to play, so I did. On that puck I wrote, " Thanks Pops, it was always about more then just a game, it was about the lessons learned". Yes, this game has many meanings to me and to everyone else writing here.

[@edwardkeating5285]

You brought tears to my eyes...awesome, untouchable memory

[@skip3778]

Ken Morrow would win this game, a gold medal, then the Stanley cup all in this year. He then won 3 more cups in a row.

[@joemkoenen]

Ryan Smyth Ken Morrow...rock solid...a great hockey player

[@Mike-hw5wn]

Great player

[@jeffcox9393]

Right; the wolf man. Know it meant a lot of hard work, but talk about right place, right time.

[@Randsurfer]

Morrow was incredible. So calm.. He outskated everybody on the ice.

[@jamessollazzo4860]

dont remind me

[@audilicous]

This was 10 years before I was born, and yet it's my favorite moment in USA sports history.

[@georgelynch7218]

I remember watching this game as an 8 year old kid and thinking even with 4-3 lead with 10 minutes left we had no chance of winning. I was in an airport and everyone was glued to the screens and the place was dead silent until the end when the whole airport erupted. Totally awesome!

[@leahbackman7669]

I was about 12 when this occured. I love sports and me and my dad watched it together. It was incredible! I can still hear my dad yelling and shouting "there gonna do it! There gonna do it!!" One of my best memories of childhood. It was also so exciting because I live in the area, North Eastern Minnesota where most of these young men came from!! In lots of little towns in this area, their pictures are on display in many hockey arenas. Very proud! I felt the same way when the men's curling team won the gold medal, some of them were from my town. They brought their medals for all to have a chance to see.

[@joemkoenen]

Leah Backman I grew up in The Cities... Twenty minutes from the University of Minnesota...played hockey through high school and a year of junior hockey...league love the game...love watching this amazing win over the Soviets...cheers...

[@scotthartkopf1403]

I grew up in Minneapolis and skated with and against many of these guys, Herbie was also our coach in Summer hockey, including Ken Yackel hockey school. Herbie was also a personal friend of my uncle that coached at Mahtomedi.. great memories 🏒🥅

[@jeffcarter9048]

Al Michael's career is flat out impressive. This game, 89 earthquake series, mon night football, Sunday night football and countless other gigs.

[@conskate]

0:15 Al Michaels opening commentary was great. I wish commentators would articulate like this today.

[@roberteugene7295]

Kind of difficult to find such commentators these days.

[@Weebs82589]

Do you believe in Miracles? Yes! Brings a little tear to my eye. USA USA USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Rich-rd5te]

I’m 13 and well couldn’t be alive to watch it but my dad did after the fact he said it was the only time Hockey got him Emotional because he’s not a real hockey fan but got emotional over our win

[@Weebs82589]

@@Rich-rd5te my parents had not even met yet, my sisters and I weren’t born yet. I would have love to been at all the games!

[@jeffreyneeley3697]

RIP Mark Pavlich. This team has always been an inspiration.....still the greatest sports event in US history in my opinion!

[@Inglewolf]

RIP Pav, never mind your final days. Hope you've found peace in the beyond that's hard for most of us to find on earth. You deserve that and more!

[@retiredump7038]

Mark Pavlich, the unsung hero of the team. Seems like every big goal was "Pavlich to [--------], GOAL."

[@helpingothers1777]

Virgil, thank you for posting this game. One of happiest days of my life. Like all us older folk. We all know exactly where we were.

[@randy4395]

Definitely.

[@nicholasceriello7750]

Soviets: 39 shots USA: 16 shots Jesus!

[@zamboniclean]

Yes, Jesus was there for that one.

[@brandonmorris92]

@@zamboniclean Salute to you sir! 💪👍

[@kellyshaw3338]

They were panicked at the end

[@TR-vr5pz]

USA 25% accurate - Rooskies 8%

[@jamessollazzo2966]

4 goals on 16 shots! bad night of goaltending cost the soviets the game!!

[@woodythepoo1]

I live in Toronto and obviously an avid hockey player and fan. I was 10 years old in 1980... I was a huge fan of the USA team and even bought a jersey with my allowance after this game. Was an incredible thing to witness.

[@mikestevenson576]

Maybe we played against each other. btw, remember how close Canada came to beating the Soviets a few days earlier? What a different story this all would've been if a different group of 'kids' had already downed the USSR.

[@glennd5574]

It was great to be a part of this experience at 17 years old. When the US beat the Russians it felt like we had already won the Gold. It would've been a HUGE letdown if we lost to Finland. That's why I love the part of the story where Herb brooks walked into the locker room before that final match and said: "If you lose this game, you'll take it to your effin' graves."

[@TippiGordon]

39 years later, and that last 30 seconds still gives me goosebumps.

[@tenbelow9617]

RIP Mark Pavelich. Pav was one hell of a passer. He may have been small and shy, but he was not afraid to mix it up. An Iron Ranger became a New York Ranger with a Gold Medal.

[@jamessollazzo4860]

ted sator ran him out of town in 1985, but he had a good nhl career

[@anondandalus]

I grew up in Hermantown, just outside of Duluth. My parents had season tickets to UMD hockey and I watched a lot of Pavelich and Harrington, as well as seeing U of M when they came to town. A lot of those names on that team were names I knew and had seen play in college. I agree about Pavelich, still one of my all time favorite UMD players. He just had a sense where everyone was on the ice and could get passes through skates and sticks that didn't seem possible. A good percentage of them were missed because teammates just never thought it was possible to get a puck to them. He was a magician of a passer.

[@tenbelow9617]

@@anondandalus I grew up by Coach Sertich. Phil Vercota's dad was my H.S. teacher. John Bah was at my H.S. senior year as an intern. My 2 years at UMD were the Hull years. Favorite player is tough. Best hip check goes to Kurt Giles. Hull had the best shot I ever saw. Norm MacIver had the hands, he used a straight stick until college I think. Matt Christiansen might have been the best or maybe the most complete player and a hell of a nice guy. Duluth was fun those couple of years. Matt went down and things just weren't the same. I remember my favorite place to get a drink between periods was the Curling Club. It might have been the only place.

[@cryptohalloffame]

@@anondandalus very cool

[@paulsonj72]

@@tenbelow9617I interviewed John Harrington as he was an assistant coach at St. Cloud St. when I was a student there.

[@lylesmith9547]

This is awesome quality for the day. I was 15 years old and totally glued to all the games USA played. What a game

[@TR-vr5pz]

Think ive watched this over 100 times and still get nervous in the final minute of the game (and get the chills when they win)

[@socializedsubculturaldelin769]

The backhander that starts to form with about 50 seconds left in the third at 1:45:51 gets me every time.

[@mojoschmee9320]

The whole game, man. The wife is making fun of me after she realized I wasn't watching a live sporting event. She asked why it was so grainy... lol

[@AB-vy9cy]

Me too.

[@mongomymango]

makes me believe in miracles....

[@a.m.g.u.f.o.642]

Ich war damals 19 Jahre alt als ich das Spiel sah und habe es bis heute nicht vergessen es war sensationell als diese junge zusammengewürfelte Mannschaft die UdSSR geschlagen hat und endlich für einen Umbruch im Eishockey gesorgt hat. Ich bin zwar kein Amerikaner aber ich habe mich Wahnsinnig gefreut. Sie haben großartig gekämpft vor allem Craig hat Super gehalten. Das werde ich nie vergessen und mich immer über den Sieg der USA BOYS freuen. Yeah!

[@cdubs9918]

That shot of the Russians watching Team USA celebrating is so amazing. They were so good they forgot what winning really meant. They lost because they just assumed they would win. They were in shock.

[@Albertanator]

40 years ago today...and this Canadian has to admit it was easily the greatest moment in all of Hockey history...indeed it may have been the greatest moment in all of modern sporting history! I am glad to say I watched this game live 40 years ago today....

[@mtmontgo]

Team USA and Team Canada are part of the same family.

[@JasonProtzman]

@vwm8534 Thank you for providing a clean copy of the “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” I haven’t seen this since I was 7 with my dad and we both went crazy in 1980!

[@care9939]

Same here 7!

[@dennisstanley1965]

I watch the last minute holding my breath and with tears in my eyes. Every time.

[@Nvwheeler]

I was a 14 year old hockey crazy Canadian kid when this occurred. It's the only time I can remember getting excited over anyone other than Canada winning a hockey game. It was truly remarkable

[@sandranorman5469]

EVERY TIME TEARS!

[@whitediamondize]

My mom was pregnant with me when this game was played live and I was born about 6 weeks later. I've heard the stories but I have never actually watched the replay of the game itself. Thank you for uploading it! It was a miracle that USA won!! It's hard to believe it's been 40 years though!

[@drdestructo5741]

I caddied for four days for Eruzione a few weeks ago here in FLA. . being a hockey player since age 5 and watching this live when I was seven, it meant the world to me... I still cant believe it. what a time with a legend that will live on forever. do u believe in miracles. I certainly do..

[@weegekid]

What's amazing is he effectively retired from competitive hockey after the Olympics. We love him here in Massachusetts.

[@stephenmckiernan5667]

40 years later never gets old

[@leoderosia9279]

You had to be alive at the time to really appreciate how much this game meant to the people of the us. They really had no business beating a Russian all star team

[@krustymadrid4953]

jealous? you shoulda been there

[@krustymadrid4953]

@Ryan Poska dbag

[@radconserv68]

This was the absolute greatest thing I've ever seen in my life. I'm a huge baseball fan but this tops everything

[@oriolesfan129]

I just watched the Disney movie on the NHL Network. THE GREATEST SPORTS EVENT IN USA HISTORY BY FAR. 40 years later still get the patriotic chills. No other USA hockey team will ever top the 1980 team.

[@dominickefrim3088]

I'm not a guy who gets all emotional about stuff, but there are moments in life that'll bring a tear to my eyes.

[@christopherrios7767]

Thanks for posting Virgil! I remember going on KZbin a number of years ago looking for this epic game in its entirety but couldn't find it. I was 9 years old when I first saw it on TV as it happened. So wonderful to watch it again as an adult. Got goose bumps for sure. If I had to pick one sporting event as the greatest and most enjoyable game I have ever seen, this would be the one. (I subscribed to your channel. Thanks again.)

[@drlepper72]

Thanks for posting. So many good memories flooding back. I was 7 when this took place. February 23rd (day after) was the only day my parents didn’t have to drag me out of bed before 6am for our ice time. Hadn’t even stepped on the ice yet and we were all chanting USA in the locker room. I still get chills watching this in 2020.

[@davidnason246]

I remember watching this game with my Daddy. I was 13 years old. I was so excited when we won. Precious memories!!

[@Jdwify]

This IS the greatest moment in sports history. No question about it. We didn't just win a hockey game. We beat the Soviet Union!!!!!! They went back to Russia seriously disgraced. We became champions. Thanks for posting this and making a 58 year old man feel young again

[@saul_the_hockey_gamer]

30:24 That goal by Mark Johnson was the turning point of the game. Tikhanov immediately pulled Tretiak out and replaced him with Myshkin. I'm actually watching it for the first time all the way through. Threw my arms up in Chipotle when Schneider scored!

[@redrome9]

🤣

[@jamessollazzo4860]

the soviets had a bad day between the pipes! trejiak was bad in the 1st myshkin was bad in the 3rd

[@jakubwidlarz]

The biggest mistake by a head coach, possibly, in sports history!

[@parteibonza]

@@jakubwidlarz the announcers were describing it as if he was suffering problems...i felt it was covering him for simple bad decisions. The coach pulled him to punish him. That was back during a different time when if you didnt win, you risked being sent to the gulag.

[@spideydew20]

I will NEVER get tired of watching this!! The greatest team victory in the history of sports. They're putting on a 40th anniversary parade here in St. Paul on Saturday, February 22nd, the anniversary of The Miracle On Ice. Can't wait!!

[@vicinvesta8349]

Well, there Germany steamrolling Brazil 7:1 in SOCCER. Wrap your mind around that one. I understand it is not quite the same, but still if you think of the momentous events in sports.

[@frankiewillis1772]

You just never get tired of watching this. Its like brand new every time. Its so beautiful. What a miracle.

[@hamburg1306]

As a hockey fan it gives me great pride to know that the greatest sports moment of the 20th century was this one.

[@dubbled7286]

40th Anniversary viewing for me. I was 20 years old at the time. Biggest sporting victory of my lifetime.

[@edwardkeating5285]

Me too, so you understood all the ramifications that underpinned it

[@jonathanwyse5271]

Thanks for putting this online. I was 5 when the game was played and my family wasn't big on hockey. So to watch the original broadcast as the rest of America would have seen it is a genuine gift.

[@TheBearGrappler]

In watching the last 10 minutes, you see one of many most intense games you will ever see in hockey.

[@chicken_953]

TheBearGrappler What was with the Russian goaltenders reaction after he gave up the go ahead goal? Was that a muscle memory reaction or throwing his arms up in the air out of frustration

[@SeanP7195]

He was angry

[@pikachris8604]

I thought he was celebrating

[@azurebomber1]

The greatest sports upset of all time, we may never see anything like it again. The Soviets were a professional hockey team, who beat every team in the NHL 4 years before this except for the defending champion Flyers. The USA team was a bunch of college kids who were only played together a matter of months and managed to take down the Soviets. Truly an incredible story!

[@reedwoodland1522]

I was 10 yrs old watching this on a time delay where I Iive. I love Hockey and this was one of the best times in my life, watching with my parents in front of the tv. Great times and very inspiring after all these years.

[@BBQFanNo1]

Incredible Ken Morrow goes on to win the NHL Stanley Cup 3 months later with the New York Islanders and wins the Stanley Cup 3 more years in a row after with the New York Islanders in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Scores huge key overtime NHL Playoff series goals against the upstart Wayne Gretzky-Mark Messier Edmonton Oilers in 1981 and against the New York Rangers in 1984. Ken Morrow in my humble opinion is one the most underrated hockey defenseman.

[@benadolph870]

He had an outstanding game against Russia best defense on ice

[@SpineshatterFilms]

I agree! What a damn good player

[@emmaaa7229]

I watched the movie for the first time in my history class a couple of weeks ago and now having watched the actually game it was based on... I cant even put to words the emotions a game like this can make a person feel. I got chills and nearly burst to tears just watching through a laptop screen, I cant even imagine how it felt to actually be there.

[@vwm8534]

You should have been around back when it happened. It was way more than just a hockey game. This country was going through a lot kind of like now. And we needed something and Goliath and David was the perfect story

[@emmaaa7229]

Virgil Moody I wish I could’ve been there to see it. This game gave our country the morale boost it needed. We could use another David and Goliath story right about now.

[@alexmurphy5289]

Being able to watch this in 2022 and still be inspired by it is something special. Thank you for uploading

[@chicken_953]

About the only time you will see Herb Brooks happy during a game! lol