1980 USA Hockey Team Story - Part 1 of 3

Before we get to Lake Placid, know its legendary hockey history.

[@tom1b1b8]

We were in an economic recession. Interest rates on a fixed 30 year mortgage had reached 21%. Unemployment was high. President Carter sent helicopters to Iran in an attempt to rescue the American hostages who had already been held for 3 months. The helicopters broke down on the way to Iran. We had to get our gasoline every other day and were only allowed a certain number of gallons due to our dependence on middle eastern oil. It was a gloomy time in our nation. The USSR hockey team was sponsored by their Gov't , which meant that they were really a professional team. Our team was made of very talented college students, but all amateurs who had never played together before. The USA team win against the undefeated Soviet team, impossible. It is difficult to describe what their win meant to our nation. Our hearts were pounding out of our chests. It was like a year of cloudy skies suddenly parting and letting the Sun shine on our faces. All things were possible again.

[@lauraelizabeth2274]

Well said, my friend... well said...

[@bjc12566]

Well said

[@John-hb5jm]

Very well put.

[@chrisg7381]

The 1980 United States Hockey Team. Truly America's Team.

[@chrisdoughty7124]

Forty years ago but still feels like it was played last year. Greatest team victory in my lifetime.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Biggest, most important game in American sports history. So glad I was alive to live it, to appreciate it.

[@kirkvandegrift3015]

Goosebumps every time.

[@johnny10301968]

1980 USA Hockey Team the original dream team.

[@vjamison2]

johnny10301968 no it was the 1960 team that won gold first

[@dubbled7286]

Dream Team? A dream team is the 1992 Olympic b-ball team, loaded with superstars. There were no superstars on this team, just a bunch of college kids.

[@corylombard]

Herb Brooks KICKED ASS...that dude was beyond amazing...back in the day...When I went to the rink...we did "herbies"...you go a quarter way...you turn back...then you do half the rink...you turn back...then three quarters...you go back...then! The entire flipping rink...not just once. DISCIPLINE...Is amazing.

[@jcdova29]

I was 8 years old and even I knew the meaning of this. It gave me goosebumps. Those kids are true heroes!

[@jeffreyadams8345]

I live 2 1/2 hours from Lake Placid, I was 16 in 1980, I remember my next door neighbor, a buddy of mine leaving with his dad for this game, they never knew that they would witness history in the making!! I remember being so jealous

[@davidwadsworth8982]

One of them college kids went on to win the ,Stanley cup same year with the N.Y.Islander's,Ken Morrow, Defense.

[@jeffreyadams8345]

This was perhaps the best sports team ever

[@vjamison2]

Jeffrey Adams disagree. 60 team was. The circumstances were completely different

[@kelsimorrison1222]

I subscribed

[@RSTI191]

Tretiak was Superhuman back then.. I'll never forget watching him play..

[@sgtrock2821]

I got this dvd. Hbo sports

[@franciscolacal1154]

The greatest moment in sport history and also in the 20th century are the two goals, The goal of the century and The hand of God, that Diego Armando Maradona Scores againts England at 1986 World Cup.

[@17bearman]

when a class b team gets a class a coach they can go all the way

[@MRIscanman]

See we should be the best at basketball. But we weren't born into Ice Hockey. That was a cold weather Canada game. 1996 world cup was special for me just because we got those darn Canadiens. Brought them back to earth. Get your kids some roller blades and a hockey stick they will figure it out 🇺🇸 🌎 👑

[@williamdiemert9866]

Herb Brooks deserve the presidential medal of freedom.

[@1959blee]

And if we would have voted for our country and own best interests in 2020, rather than the communism and “wokeism” crap we got, I know Trump woulda done it. Not a chance now, too isphobic of some sort no doubt. Sad for the greatest nation on earth. I am older and have no children. God bless for you left behind

[@sandranewman5067]

If I ever had to go to war, I’d take Herb Brooks by my side. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💯💯♥️

[@daisylouisecaldwell]

Daisy. I LIKE HERB BROOKS!!!

[@17bearman]

i think they do have a chance because now they have a class a coach in jurgen klinsmann

[@wiedep]

American 'self esteem' couldn't have been any lower no thanks to Jimmy Carter

[@willard2729]

Until now. Biden is a 10,000 year shame

[@lelouchvibritannia4028]

When was this documentary released?

[@101km7]

I was 18, had enlisted the Marines 4 months earlier. I remember this game like it was yesterday. I still have the SI that came out afterwards. The only sporting event in my life time that has come close (but still a close second) was Boston's 2004 World Series win. I watch it at least once a year, it still captivates.

[@1959blee]

THIS is my country. This is what we used to unite about. Not what the hell has happened in last couple months. Surely this kind of patriotism would be cancelled as racist or some other kind of woke crap today. How can you not swell with pride in our country seeing this? I was 20 years old then and a hockey girl. Watched EVERY SECOND of this tournament and nearly died from the stress. Can we get our country back? Do you believe in miracles? I do and we need them. God bless the USA. The enemies in the past and new ones await our resolve. As a side note....notice the old timey masks and equipment, true hockey heros all

[@damianop100]

What a wonderful message. Hear, hear!

[@jmweed1861]

Herb Brooks was Not the Best College Hockey Coach in the Country, that belongs to "Badger Bob" Johnson , head coach at the University of Wisconsin father of USA best player Mark Johnson. After leaving Wisconsin ( with a Number of WCHA and NCCA Hockey Championships, he would coach the Pittsburg Penguins to thr NHL Championship and the Stanley Cup , before passing away from Cancer.. His son Mark is Now the Best College Hockey Coach in the Country, winning over 600 games as Wisconsin Women's Coach and 7 NCAA Championships...

[@SWog617]

And this is why I hate to see professional athletes competing in the Olympics. We'd never have another moment like this in either hockey or basketball.

[@williamdiemert9866]

Herb Brooks should with US Hockey teams until 2002.

[@17bearman]

they qualified for the world cup already who cares

[@scottpollack1007]

I remember first hand how proud we were as individuals as well as Americans when we beat the Russians! Our Country was laughed at around the world and I blame most of that on the Carter Administration! Jimmy Carter was one of the Worst Presidents in our history! Interest rates were at 22% or more, there were lines to wait for gas at gas stations, and we couldn’t do anything to get our hostages back from the Third World Country of Iran! Our one military attempt to free them failed miserably which made things even worse! It wasn’t until we beat the Russians and Ronald Reagan being elected that we felt we could hold our heads up with PRIDE! I remember it like it was yesterday!

[@chadlawrence5865]

until Barry said hold my beer.

[@17bearman]

2014 another miracle will happen when usa wins the world cup in soccer

[@hotnAZ]

freedom will always reign over communism and yes Bernie socialism too Trump 2020

[@Draisatl29]

😊 4:32

[@pingamalinga]

Bruh...

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Canada have 650000 hockey players! USA have 500000 hockey players! Russia have only 80000 hockey players! Soviet League scoring leaders were in 1980 Shalimov 34 goals Drotzdetzky 31 goals Varnakov 30 Priodin 27 Lavrentjev 27 Only good Russian was in 1980 olympics was Makarov 29! USA and Canada should have 15 guys who have scored over 800 goals like Ovechkin today! USA should be favourite over Russia in olympics 2026 6xtimes! Lake placid had good players like Jari Kurri Peter Stastny Glenn Anderson Neal Broten! NHL points leaders after olympics 1980s were Gretzky Kurri Stastny Anderson Broten!!!

[@63shakeandbake]

Greatest Sports moment? Heavens no! Greatest Sports upset? Arguable.

[@willard2729]

How many trans players did we have?

[@miquelbrewton5521]

The sparkling channel seemingly wail because date serendipitously crawl with a narrow jeans. abortive, handsomely claus

[@joanmeijer]

It definitely wasn't the low point in America....we're living that with Trump today.

[@johnkrausse3779]

Wrong.sorry . How many gas lines have YOU been in lately? I stood in alot of them.

[@dubbled7286]

Joan Meijer inflation was 13.5% in 1980 under Carter www.in2013dollars.com/inflation-rate-in-1980

[@johnkrausse3779]

You ever stood in gas lines??? No I gusse not or you wouldn't make such a silly statement.

[@HHCKY67]

What a moronic statement, clueless idiot, guessing you were either not even born yet or living under a rock...but I guess you can't pass up your chance at what you think is your edgy and "woke" contribution....grow up and get lost

[@hotnAZ]

Joan you have been reported for treason

[@benbreeg6839]

how does anyone compare world cup soccer to this? First off ,there are no political overtones in the world cup. Last I checked Columbia wasn't a super power threatening our very existence, secondly a world cup victory is not going to change morale and economic confidence in ourselves. Third and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the American soccer team is made up of foreign born players that can play for numerous teams based on their heritage/citizenship. They are not born and bred College kids raised in the nations heartland. Pro sports can never lend itself to that possibility anymore. The examples you guys are citing are just underdog victories. PLEAAASEE do not compare it to this.

[@ilovejesusforever8369]

I agree totally !!!

[@dinopappous6639]

at 0:57 sec...."it might have been the all time low point for American self esteem"...of course brought to you by a DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION AND PRESIDENT !!!! TRUMP 2020 !!!!