1980 USA Hockey Team Story/Olympic Games in Lake Placid 1980

1980 USA Hockey Team Story/Olympic Games in Lake Placid 1980
In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, took a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Brooks started with a handpicked group of 26 undisciplined kids, Brooks coached them to play like they never played before, and turned 20 of them into a team that believed they could achieve the unachievable -- and in the process, united a nation with a new feeling of hope.

[@USRedDevil71]

The fact that Herb Brooks wasn't anywhere to be seen during the medal presentation is telling. He was the one who picked those kids, set the tone for the team, pushed them to achieve the impossible...yet let the kids have the limelight and the glory. A great man leading a great team. Still to me the single greatest sports moment of all time, and it's not even close.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Totally agree.

[@brindfan]

Biggest sports upset EVER! And like you said, the second greatest upset isn't even close.

[@TheSilentbanker6]

It is the greatest moment, I agree wholeheartedly.

[@johnthaxton8344]

He let them have their monument. He told them before Finland victory after they kick the ussr rear. You lose you will take it to your fing grave .

[@srpdesigns]

Very well said Rich...There isn't anything that comes close !!

[@lauradrennan7438]

The greatest American sporting event and win of all time.

[@DarkLobster69]

The greatest upset in sports history. Maybe the greatest upset of any classification in history.

[@tatico74]

When we were one, when our nation was in our hearts. Lord guide us once again, and make us one under your Grace Amen. 🇺🇸

[@sonnestt]

Amen 🙏🇺🇲

[@tylerdorkin4861]

With all due respect the crutch of god and it’s self righteous bs is what has put us here now. The Christians were debunked by the Vatican who debunked itself in 2020 let’s forget about those frauds and take responsibility for our Own lives.

[@user-nl6wu2nx3q]

AMEN🙏

[@davescomedy2731]

Amen

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

Amen

[@Gunny_101st]

Back when this country, in good times and bad, was truly United.

[@Surfer041]

Eruzione running on the ice is still one of the most iconic images in sports.

[@wjroberts913]

Forty-three years later, I'm still choked up watching this documentary! I was in the "chow line" at Chanute Air Force Base's dining hall, attending avionics maintenance technical training as a new Airmen. Sitting here, now retired, at age 64, I still love this entire story!

[@hibob418]

@wjroberts913 Well I was just a few miles away from you in Champaign when this happened. Word trickled out that we’d won, but the game wouldn’t be televised until 7 that night.(central time) Watched it in the dorm with about a hundred other kids in the lounge with the tv. What a night!

[@alexanderleach3365]

'Play your game.' Legendary words of Herb Brooks.

[@davidfaxon3336]

Herb got his moment that was taken away from him as a younger guy. But instead of taking the limelight he graciously gave the moment to the kids who earned it. Mad Respect to Herb

[@Aerospacer77]

What an amazing moment. Without a doubt, the greatest moment of all time in sports history.

[@MrDuds1984]

The greatest sports moment of my life there will never be a second place

[@MarkJusty777]

How much better was 1980 than 2022? Glad I'm old enough to remember.

[@johnthaxton8344]

When Mark Johnson tied it at 3-3 my Dad sent his popcorn & Milwaukee best flying in air to my mom grrrr.

[@imacop33]

I love that you still remember that moment over 40 years later! Bless your dad. 🇺🇸

[@orlandohernandez6679]

Literally the greatest moment ij sports history. There will never be another one like it

[@daveenyart]

I'm a proud Minnesotan who played HS hockey. I competed against a couple of those guys. Chances are good that, when I'm on my deathbed, their Gold Medal might flash before me.

[@kevinpeil6734]

Same here

[@imacop33]

Growing up in Boston, with BU being my team, this moment in time meant everything to me. 40+ years later, it still does. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@KMK7355]

The BU 4 played such key roles in winning Gold.

[@billmalec]

I was about the age of the players when i watched the original Olympic game, roughly 20. To this day I get goose bumps and misty -eyed thinking about it. On the anniversary the other day i watched the whole hockey game and then Miracle. I get the same feeling watching them both, the movie is that good.

[@Bixby774]

This is what America is missing these days...

[@LordFuzzy32]

there is no common bond to bring americans together. Only thing that would do it, a national diaster.

[@Kusoka1]

I’m from Minnesota and I know many of the places of mention in this story. I was 18 when this game was played. I’m now 62 and I can’t help but wipe a tear from my eye every time I see a video or game documentary of this amazing sports historic event. Amazing!

[@user-ut8ls7qp1j]

my favorite saying from herb brooks is the name on the front of your jersey means alot more than the name on your back

[@TheWatchman77]

“….get that through your head!!!!”

[@user-ut8ls7qp1j]

@@TheWatchman77 outstanding comment

[@TheWatchman77]

@@user-ut8ls7qp1j I can’t take credit for it. That’s what he followed your statement with.

[@kikialdrich4574]

Al Michaels. The voice of my sports life.

[@Mark-hu5hq]

n 1980 Minnesota boys dominated college hockey. I consider the Olympic team as not only ‘team USA’ but also ‘team Minnesota’. Twelve of the 20 players were from Minnesota and the vast majority of goals were by Minnesotans. As with probably all Minnesotans my family, friends and I were glued to the TV on that remarkable day at Lake Placid. Great memories! I went to high school (Mayo high school in Rochester Minnesota) with Eric Strobel who is a year younger than I. As with many Minnesota kids at the time I learned to skate without any formal coaching and played in pick-up games on outdoor rinks. I recall many days we played when the temperature was below zero. We would play until are toes and fingers started to become numb and then went in the warming house (with a wood-burning stove) to warm up and then returned to the ice. There were two outdoor rinks at the high school and we played hockey during gym class. I recall that Strobel’s abilities amazed me even then he was able to hit a slapshot from one end of the rink into the goal on the opposite end without the puck ever touching ice on its way into the net. His contributions to the Olympic team were critical and yet not noted sufficiently by the media. He made very important defensive plays and passes in all of the games.

[@KMK7355]

Mark, The main reason there were so many Minnesota kids was the fact about 7 players who turned pro early out of NCAA Hockey or players who opted Junior and turned pro early. Here is what would have been the 1980 USA Olympic Team had everyone played NCAA Hockey thru 1978-79. G - Steve Baker (Mass) Craig (Mass) D - Langway (Mass) Dunn (Mass) Morrow (Mich) Roberts (Mich) O'Callahan (Mass) Ramsey (Minn) C - Johnson (Wisc) Pavelich (Minn) Broten (Minn) Christian (Minn) W - Mullen (NY) Christoff (Minn) Gorence (Minn) McClanahan (Minn) Miller (Mass) Silk (Mass) Nilan (Mass) McDougal (Mich) So you have the State breakdown 8 Mass. 7 Minn 3 Mich 1 NY 1 WI This was the first group of USA players with elite talent at D and upfront. Langway on D and Mullen upfront had HOF NHL careers. Really began with the group of players born in 1955. 1955 - Mark Howe was arguably the best from that year in Canada, US, USSR, Czechoslovakia or Sweden. 1956 - Reed Larson, Tom Rowe 1957 - Rod Langway, Joe Mullen, Mark Johnson and Steve Baker (2nd goalie taken in '77 draft, first US Goalie since Brunei to win a PO Series) 1958 - Mark Pavelich 1959 - Broten, Christian 1960- Ramsey Minnesota had great forwards in that span, Reed Larson on D. Mass had the goalie position owned for US Hockey. D with Langway and O'Connell the best.

[@dclifervigil2013]

I cheered right along with all those at the game yelling 'USA'USA'USA and at the end had goose bumps everywhere upon hearing Al Michaels count down and do you believe in miracles announcement and yes I instantly became a believer in miracles even at the age of 61yrs old thank you to the dream team skaters our U.S hockey gold medal winners 1980 Olympics.

[@dancarter8809]

I'm in Minnesota. This was in the preposterous statement tournament. "This was a meaningless game." The greatest upset of all time, to this day; it can't be replaced in my lifetime. I'm not a hockey player but I know when a bunch college kids beat the Russian pros, I still thought there might be a venue for a replacement. but no, this is the "greatest upset of all time".

[@hollywoodjoe123]

No upset here - Give OUR U.S. Men's Winter Olympic Hockey Team CREDIT - They all had skills - What the F&^K is this so called " miracle on ice" WE HAD SKILLS - And these narrators keep saying these Kids" wtf - - The team were great - THEY WERE MEN - - MEN WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF SKILLS - - Give them credit already and enough of the "miracle on ice" trip -

[@KMK7355]

Hollywood Joe, The US Team was very talented. The fact they won with what was a A\B team of NCAA players makes it the biggest upset in sports history. The following players turned pro early G Baker D Langway (HOF) Dunn Roberts F Mullen Miller Nilan Gorence McDougal That's 9 out of 20 players not on the 1980 Team.

[@timgressler2281]

Jim Craig drapped in the American flag is a picture I will never forget ,I have an 8×10 signed by Craig of that very pic ... I met him years later in 1999 at his Induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame and got it signed ... And im a Candian boy, Windsor Ontario...right next door to HockeyTown.. Go Wings !!!

[@marcstover4827]

The Russian players were so respectful. God bless.

[@cryptohalloffame]

they were, true athletes who could appreciate the usa's efforts

[@GiselleKlara]

i liked what they had to say- they actually respected and learned a little from the joy of the Americans- or at least the ones interviewed @@cryptohalloffame

[@srpdesigns]

I Loved watching this team ...I Love this game ...I Love Our Flag ....MOST OF ALL .....I LOVE OUR COUNTRY!!!

[@bridgetcarioscia8291]

Absolutely 💯. Greatest American win 🏆

[@SunandSunflowers]

thank you for posting this video second time watching I thoughly enjoyed it

[@James-jl9lm]

"5 seconds...DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!" Al Michaels, the 1980 USA vs USSR Olympic hockey match.

[@danceoutnow]

A chance for one night not only to dream. But a chance once again to believe.

[@strawberryshortcake2354]

I’m an Australian and I don’t really watch hockey, but this is an amazing story.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

No doubt. The greatest sports moment of the 20th century. As an American kid I was proud. But, now as an adult, i realize the greatness of that Russian team. They were almost unbeatable. Almost. The only reason the USA won that game, is Herbie skated the ever loving shit out of them boys. The were in top condition.

[@berryscott3590]

What's this, 'Russians were almost unbeatable' BS?... Our, hastily assembled, 1972 Summit Series team, out of shape, missing Bobby Orr and Bobby Hull, beat them 4 times and tied them once, in an 8 game series, winning the series... Our 1976 Canada Cup team (arguably, Canada's best ever team, on paper) beat them fairly easily... although , to be fair, that wasn't the Red Army A-Team, they played... Hell's Bell's , the Philadelphia Flyers (made up entirely of Canadian NHLers) destroyed the Red Army A Team (basically, the Soviet national team, minus a couple of guys) 4-1 also in 1976, out-shooting them something like 47-13... And the Flyers were missing Bernie Parent... You Yanks with your revisionist history... Just kidding... What those College Boyz, led by Herb Brooks, did was still, the greatest sporting achievement of the 20th century....SANS DOUBT!

[@sixsentsoldiers]

@berryscott3590 - damn dude. A whole lotta if this, missing that, basically going on. The Russians in 1980 were damn near unbeatable. Did Canada boycott the 80 games? I don't remember hearing a peep out them.

[@berryscott3590]

The Russians were NOT damn near unbeatable in the 80s, the 70s, or any other era, as I already detailed... Our Top NHLers , when given the opportunity, beat them with regularity...As for the rest? Did they allow Canadian NHLers, aka Canada's Best Players, to compete vs Eastern Bloc Pros in OGs back in the 80s? Hell NO... So what is your argument? Other than one from pure ignorance? PS: How did the Russians do once NHLers were allowed at the Olympics?... Oh yeah... THEY HAVEN'T WON SQUAT! @@sixsentsoldiers

[@GiselleKlara]

they also didn't give in- ever. Craig's knocking out 36 of 39 shots is insane- plus Mark Johnson just being like "well, other people might have stopped playing but I'm gonna just grab a casual goal here when the best team in the world has chilled" amazing.

[@buckeyebrain]

@@sixsentsoldiers - Not so much a boycott, but they didn't send a team to the Olympics in a lot of years because they saw the absolute hypocrisy in USSR's players being essentially pros (given Army rank and a salary) when they couldn't send NHL'ers.

[@BazzarLazar]

I started working at the Olympic Training Center in 1979 after I finished high school in Colorado Springs and I remember when the tryouts for the Olympic Team started and met many of the teams as well as several Gold medalist in the winter and summer games ! Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bob Matthias was one of the directors who worked for the Training Center and he would come to our shop every Friday with 2 cases of Miller Beer for the Maintenance Workers which I was one of and. Became really good friends with him !! I was also there when President Jimmy Carter boycotted the summer games and the woman's volleyball team lived As well as trained at the center And it was very hard for those. Ladies When they found out they trained for nothing. Pretty hard to see that disappointment in their hearts and eyes So I got to see a lot of ups and down Downs Back when I worked there

[@GrandDaddyCough]

I love passing the Olympic training center here in CO Springs but to walk on the ice where the Miracle on ice occurred would feel great!

[@brucehartley3858]

Went to Lake Placid in 2006 and visited the rink - the hairs on my arms were standing on end and you could literally feel the electricity in the air - it was if it was February of 1980. You should go and see it.

[@joycepiantes8383]

43 years ago and I still remembered it so well.

[@kevinburke6055]

44 now

[@KMK7355]

The 1980 team sold the US Olympic Hockey soul to the devil...lol.

[@mikerowley1189]

A different America….we.were united…loved our country….celebrate together……….look at us now….what happened?

[@KMK7355]

We have had assholes like Trump try to overthrow our government and trample our rights. This needs to be explained to you?

[@LordFuzzy32]

I miss this America. Wonder if we will ever get it bcak......

[@gogreen7794]

You mean get another gold medal in hockey? Or do you mean get back the progressive policies of the 1960s and, this time, stick with them and go farther?

[@triciacallahan1680]

What a magical time - I loved it!

[@lukeskywalker5513]

Awesome bro

[@badger012009]

Mark Pavelich... RIP skater...

[@LordFuzzy32]

i dint know he passed away!! RIP!!

[@ralphlaureano4608]

Neither did I, rip mark pavelich

[@badger012009]

@@ralphlaureano4608 The 80 hockey team were studs! Couldn't skate/keep up with them! Unreal...

[@hollywoodjoe123]

@@badger012009 Exactly studs - they did not need a miracle - Give them credit already they won all the games - The 1980 U.S. Men's Winter Olympic Hockey Team were great players - GIVE THEM ALL CREDIT - AND NEVER MIND THIS so called " miracle on ice " trip - that is a put down - WE did not need a miracle to win - WE WON WITH OUR SKILLS - PERIOD !

[@KMK7355]

Hollywood they tied Sweden, so no they didn't win all the games.

[@KMK7355]

In August 1963, The College Football All Stars beat Lombardi's Packers.

[@uweschreiber8226]

CCCP was the best team in that time, but not in this game.

[@ianerickson6522]

If they didn't play on Feb 9th 10-3, there's no miracle on ice. That ass kicking was the best thing that happened to them

[@markhassin4798]

Tears keep dripping

[@kelsimorrison1222]

I subscribed to your channel

[@82cpop]

Is this full Doc on HBO Max?

[@cacornhusker2940]

Oh man, makes me feel 20 y.o. again and it's 1980.....U S A. U S A. U S A.

[@miguelsandoval1985]

Would USA Men’s Soccer Have That Feeling If We Someday Beat Brazil In The World Cup? I Guess We’ll Never Know.

[@MegaJohnnytv]

Or in the World Cup finals

[@TheYankmchain]

Perhaps, but not AMERICA. Not like this.

[@davidfaxon3336]

Absolutely not. The USSR was and forever will be America's greatest enemy. It had more to do with the Cold War, and not how great this USSR Team was. It's awesome how Our Team beat those boys

[@TheWatchman77]

Doubt it.

[@marks4445]

Wow! Several versions of this HBO docu are missing the back story of the tough economic times and Soviet (Russian) aggression on YT. I wonder why?

[@gogreen7794]

Huh? I'm 68. There are always tough times, at least for some people, somewhere. I had just graduated with my Master's degree and was living on a barrier island off the coast of Florida, making a modest living in my degree field. I assure you, no one was suffering on that island. And this not about the state of the world at the time or Russian aggression. Why do you think it should be? Stop creating conspiracies out of nothing.

[@marks4445]

@@gogreen7794 I think you misunderstand. This HBO docu from 2000 had 5 or 10 minutes devoted to the high inflation, 13% prime interest rate, gas lines, 52 Americans taken hostage in Iran, Soviet invasion of Afganistan, and the Carter admin inept ability to deal with it all. It was called the malaise era after Carter's speach on TV, which was also cut from this and all other versions of this docu on YT. That is not "creating" a conspiracy, that is a fact.

[@gogreen7794]

@marks4445 OK, so the full documentary showed how "bad" things were back in 1980. That wasn't the point of this modified version, focusing on the hockey team, instead. I'm a Boomer. The "ups and downs" of my life are nothing compared to what my parents went through, the Great Depression and WW2. It's all relative.

[@KMK7355]

I was born in '55 and agree with you 100%. This guy sounds like he has a RW political agenda.

[@KMK7355]

Marks go back to your MAGA cave

[@frenchycanada]

Greatest sports moment? In the USA perhaps but the 72 canada soviet series was even more astounding and that doesn't even take into consideration other sports from other countries.

[@gogreen7794]

This isn't about that. This is about the US team in 1980.

[@KMK7355]

Not even close Frenchy. Canada were favorites and won. You're jealous a hockey moment considered the greatest moment belongs to the US, not Canada.

[@cliffcaverley2377]

This is similar to the 1972 Canada Vs. Russia hockey series played in September 1972.

[@KMK7355]

Not even close unless u are talking from USSR perspective and still not close.

[@BrownstownMr]

Was trading jeans a big thing when you traveled internationally in 1980 or what

[@peej7]

Soviet Russia didn't produce blue jeans and because they were a communist country an average Soviet wouldn't be able to get any. But they were still popular and sought after.

[@reveal5078]

Even in 1990 when I was in the former Soviet Union, a pair of jeans was like worth its weight in hard Western currency. These were rare, popular, good quality ... and signified status. Would be like the latest iPhone these days. Amusingly even good quality North American toilet paper was sought after.

[@patton303]

Props to the Russians for waiting for the US team to have their celly and then staying on the ice to shake hands with them. That Soviet team was unbelievably stacked. A lot of the younger guys later fought to play in the NHL after Glastnost and were very successful there.

[@ronnieleary5769]

Herb Brooks for president!!!!

[@jamieriedmiller]

Unfortunately, he has passed.

[@lauradrennan7438]

Ps, thanks Herb

[@cebukid70]

This feat is a close 2nd place to Rocky Balboa defeating Ivan Drago, if we're to rank greatest sports moments against the Soviets.

[@sdcashman45]

Reality vs Fiction, Herbinator.

[@evanobrien7316]

You gotta be fucking kidding me

[@DD-fm7xb]

The whole country bonded together at that time...This was more then a hockey game...This was during the Cold War and these kids gave the country the best sports moment of our lives...All those flags waving in the crowd and look where we are today, we have a president who takes a knee !!

[@srpdesigns]

DD....I was 10 and I still get fired up when I watch this documentary... We watched the game in a hockey rink in Bridgeport CT ....We had just played against the other team and we ended up all cheering together in the lobby that night ....What a Great Time it was ...Greatest victory in sports ever !!!!

[@lars1701again]

The flyers must be the reason they have the one loss lol

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

It was a time of National pride beating the Russians at their own game👍i miss the days of no filter These coaches said what they felt

[@justinmix143]

Watching the story in my 40s as opposed to when I was younger… I mostly just feel so bad for those Russian guys. At least Fetisov made it over here, got to play with my Wings

[@KMK7355]

Kasatonov and Makarov did also.

[@hollywoodjoe123]

The russian players in this video keep saying that the u.s. HOCKEY TEAM WERE A GROUP OF STUDENTS - YES students that studied hockey and won - f*&K all this "miracle on ice " crap - The 1980 U.S. Men's Winter Olympic Hockey Team had skills - give them credit - -This was not a miracle - GIVE THEM CREDIT - this was a WIN ! DONE !

[@frenchycanada]

Ok I'm done...as soon as I saw the video using a soviet goal against canada in the 72 series that canada won to make a point. Hyperbole at it's finest.

[@KMK7355]

Jealous frenchy? Lol, the greatest upset in sports history and its hockey and not about Canada...lol.

[@MegaJohnnytv]

This is prove the freedom always Concord communism

[@timdean7082]

What is there to say? Kurt Russell IS Herb Brooks. Herb Brooks sadly passed away, but did so as a Legend. Al Michaels commentator, "Do you believe in Miracles?", and those college kids who had SO MUCH WEIGHT ON THEIR SHOULDERS during that time (U.S. vs. Soviet Union in a very tense Cold War) and they DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT at the time. This is the single greatest moment in all of sports history in this country, hands down. I pray our country will unite once again like we were united then. God bless Herb, all of these hockey players, the whole staff, and everyone involved in giving America this Miracle On Ice. Thank you so much.

[@KMK7355]

timdean, Russell was a real life hockey Dad as his son played NCAA D1 Hockey.