1980 USA Hockey Team Story - Part 3 of 3

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

[@inspectr1949]

I was the cameraman right behind the USA goal, worked the entire 80 Lake Placid Olympics, most amazing memory I have in 70 years on this earth, also attended the 35 anniversary when the Field House was dedicated to Herb Brooks.

[@robschannel4512]

Boy you have seen some things.

[@lebron1524]

@@robschannel4512 Thank you for your excellent camera work! Was such an important day in US history..not just for sports...it brought the country together in such a difficult time...ahh, those that were born after will never understand what it meant...hopefully we have a moment during this coronavirus crisis that will bring the country together like it did in 1980)

[@BlazeLeber]

To this day this game still brings me to tears I swear to God. We were moving into a new place. Half the boxes were in and a couple mattresses. The tv was hooked up in what would be the living room. The next thing you know we were sitting in the floor, on boxes and pillows. All of us sat and then stood and sat and stood everything stopped except on commercials. It was crazy, fun, loud, bawling men women kids. I'll never forget it. A beautiful moment in time.

[@pam0626]

@@BlazeLeber Me too. This game was a part of my childhood and the year leading up to this Olympics was an especially tough time in my family. My father was laid off from his job in a print factory and the Iranian hostage crises. This game was the turning point, a morale shift. To this day, I can’t understand it, but things started to improve in our country after this game.

[@fredkahan3337]

so cool you experienced that!

[@dolivier]

I'm 56 now, I was 12 then. Still love it. Still gives me goosebumps

[@chrisjames8082]

I never get tired of watching this.

[@cacornhusker2940]

me too. and Jim Lampley looks like he's holding back tears @1:38 and back in the day he broadcast so many huge Events.

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Come on! Soviet Russian league goal scoring leaders were in 1980 Shalimov 34 goals Drotzdetzky 31 Varnakov 30 Priodin 27 Lavrentjev 27 Only good Russian was in 1980 olympics Makarov 29 goals! Canada have 650000 hockey players! USA have 500000 hockey players! Ovechkin's Russia only have 80000 hockey players! Canada and USA should have 15 guys who have scored over 800 goals like Ovechkin today! Lake placid 1980 had good players like Jari Kurri Peter Stastny Glenn Anderson Neal Broten! NHL scoring leaders after olympics 1980 were Gretzky Stastny Kurri Glenn Anderson Neal Broten! The Hard truth is that Soviet Could score 6,5 goal against young USA! Soviet beat before olympics 10-3 and Lost 3-4 in Lake placid! Good will games in 1990 was the Same story 10-3 3-3! Soviet scored 6,8 goals against Finland 1970-1980! Miracle on ice or Gretzky did not made hockey popular In the USA! Stanley Cup tv ratings In 1980 4% Nielsen! Stanley Cup in 1997 had Same rating 4% Nielsen rating! Neal Broten scored 105 points 38 goals NHL! Mark Pavelich scored 37 goals NHL!! USA had More hockey ice rinks and hockey Players in 1980 than Russia!!

[@chrisjames8082]

😂

[@positivelybobby]

My Pee-Wee team was on a trip to Toronto (from Detroit), and that Friday was our first night at the Valhalla Hotel outside the city. The game started and we, as 11-year-olds, we’re only mildly interested. Our parents, however, we’re glued to the TV (as it was shown live in Canada). After the US tied the game at the end of the first, our parents hauled us in and said ‘you’re gonna watch this game - it’s history!’ The game ended and we, as a team, were so excited! We grabbed our American flag and ran down all the hallways in our underwear, shouting USA! USA! Two days later, we were playing our last game of the tournament when the game was stopped in the middle of the second period - the PA announcer told the crowd that the US had won the Gold. We actually started celebrating - WITH our Canadian opponents - right there on the ice, hugging and ‘slapping fives’. After our game ended, the Mississauga team and their parents hosted an impromptu pizza party at the rink, and everyone there celebrated like they had won the Gold themselves. So began my appreciation and love affair with Canada and their wonderful people. Unforgettable memories, 42 years ago.

[@dace938]

Chills, goosebumps and tears. All these years later.................. love it.

[@salvadoralba8207]

USSR si stronger

[@wjacksavage]

I'm 65 and it was as close to a depression we ever knew..lines around the block for menial jobs...everybody down. In St. Paul, when it was over you could hear cars honking all over town. We stopped in for parts of three different Happy Hours and never bought a drink. At 7pm the game was replayed on TV. It was one of the best days of my life.

[@michaeljensen4638]

Me to .....Minnesota

[@brianbarefoot6574]

I was 17 years old laying in a hospital bed from a sports injury. My mom paid for me to have a TV (back then you had to pay to watch the TV) so I could watch the hockey games. I was screaming in my room and the nurse came running in and watched the ending with me. One of many great memories.

[@BRuane-pw6xq]

Recession of 1982

[@johnkrausse3779]

I would love to see that kind of patriotism in today's world. God bless the 1980 US Olympic team. Rest in peace herb Brooks. What else can I say? God Bless America.

[@davidcontrias7998]

I agree 💯👍🌍

[@elyenidacevedo1995]

Same

[@bowlnow824]

God bless America! I am only 38 years old but anyone who witnessed this said it was the best thing ever 😊

[@stevencoffman34]

If you weren't around when this happened you will never understand what this meant

[@charlienager8468]

Steven Coffman I agree Steven, I’ll never forget it USA

[@carlofontanello2415]

I watched every game from my Hospital bed, I almost fell out of bed because I was so happy for those kids. Now I’m an old man but I’ll never forget them and what they did for this country. God Bless them all. 🇺🇸🙏🏻👍🏻

[@ztarz99]

Steven Coffman Very true. I was 25 and watched with a bunch of friends. I believe that was the day the USA got off the mat and began our recovery.

[@robschannel4512]

I was having beers with friends after work and the bartender said he heard it over the news. I was shocked, the game was telivised later.

[@lynnzabachta4971]

I was in Boston...graduated with 3 of the 5 Boston U. hockey players. As a hockey fan, I understand...

[@lesarsenault6784]

As a 17 year old kid who by a blessing of God was able to attend all the USA hockey games. My uncle and my dad thought I was crazy to want to attend the hockey games but thats what I wanted. And they kept winning and winning. When we got to the Russia game my uncle and dad sad well its been fun but its all over now. Then the miracle happened. The events that unfolded that night after the game are real fuzzy mainly due to my age and some beer but I do remember people walking taller. Being proud of being an American. A year later my dad passed away and every year I thank him for the opportunity of a life time. When I watch any of the videos of the Miracle I usually end up bawling like a baby because it was the last fun time I had with my dad. Blessings all !

[@Fontari]

That is beautiful Les. God Bless.

[@sandranorman5469]

Bless

[@seanimac7759]

Aside from being the Greatest Moment In American Sports, this still to this Day is the Greatest Sports Documentary ever filmed. I was 8 when it happened. I remember my Pops ( because he had heard the result ) let me stay up past bedtime to watch. Never forget that. He didn't tell me what happened, we just watched the game thinking it was live. The neighbors all came over. And their kids.

[@richardgallerani8817]

Most iconic quote in sports broadcast history. I was in the Navy, in Jacksonville, fl., watching the game on a 19 in barroom TV in our EM club on base. In 1980, there were no real hockey fans in the south except a handful of us from the north who truly understood what was going on here. But I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Jim Craig draped in old glory, looking for his dad. I still get choked up every time I see it. Everyone remembers where they were when 911 happened, the day Kennedy was shot, Pearl harbor attacked....etc. but I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when this magical event took place. Thank you for this documentary HBO from a grateful American veteran. Truly some of your finest work.

[@dansheehan4709]

This is great thank you very much

[@Viele411]

Thank you for your service to our freedom.

[@ChristineHall-dt3vb]

Me too

[@sjhammer100]

Brings tears to my eyes .... again ... for the 1000th time.

[@johnanast3246]

Amen

[@salvadoralba8207]

HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHA

[@richardboone5464]

I was a 13 year old kid when I saw this game. It brought me to tears. Watching this right now, it still brings me to tears.

[@bigapplebucky]

Mark Johnson was so modest. "It happened to come right on my stick". (And then he puts it right in the low stick hole.) Two goals that game and led the team in scoring.

[@adamr6794]

How strange that the Greatest Player on the US team was the son of Badger Bob....Herb Brooks greatest rival.

[@richardscore2923]

He was non stop, MVP

[@thomasandrews7727]

The greatest event in the history of athletic competition; and nothing else even comes close!

[@mrunning10]

Very possibly the greatest coaching job ever.

[@daisylouisecaldwell]

Daisy. I never get tired of watching the game between the Americans and Soviets. Hands down the best event in the history of sports!!!

[@Paul-fu4mp]

Growing up in Minnesota, playing hockey, I was only 9 years old when I watched it live.. I can never watch it again without getting a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat.. 💝

[@salvadoralba8207]

It was in 1980

[@secondstring]

I've been a sports fan all my life, many different sports, but grew up in the south so never have been a hockey fan. Even so, I find this to be the greatest sports story of my lifetime.

[@gallant00]

I remember as a kid watching this game, being from Canada I cheered the whole time and at the edge of my seat. My fav all time game in my opinion. Was so happy for the U.S.

[@michaeljensen4638]

Thanks....from Minnesota

[@dougelledge4042]

My grandfather said canadien soldiers were fierce fighters in ww2. FUCK YOUR PRIME MINISTER,, I still respect y'all!!

[@ct7625]

September 28 1972 34 seconds to go!

[@tomy5868]

greatest sports moment in my lifetime...then they let professionals play...can NEVER happen again.

[@vandrosia]

True. But that 1980 Russian hockey was not an amateur team like our college guys. This game was like an amateur Chinese team beating the original Dream Team in basketball.

[@smartin4000]

My dad was PISSED it was a taped broadcast. Well, to make a long story short, WE (my brother, sister, mom, & dad) weren’t chanting “U-S-A when it ended. We didn’t always conform. WE sang “We Are Family” ( by The Pointer Sisters)! Dad die nearly 10 years ago now, but this win reminds me of how we COULD still feel like the others while still being ourselves. Thanks for sharing YOUR memories. I cherish hearing how everyone can feel like one, even when each is still (technically) different. 🙏❤️

[@frame3139]

Growing up in northern Minnesota this brings me back to a 16 yr old sophomore crying over a sporting event for the first time ever.......

[@zg1000dru1]

I was 14....in the Northeast. I know what you mean. I still get wet eyes when I see this

[@osimnod]

I grew up in Moorhead and was a student at the U of North Dakota in 1980. Actually played against Dave Christian in high school a couple years earlier. Brother played at Wisconsin with Mark Johnson. Really a magical moment that reminds us of believing in yourself and your teammates. And yes, tears flow when this game is replayed even 40 years later.

[@Christianmusic001]

I was a high school senior in 1980 listening to the game with the Soviet Union on the radio in my parents' basement in Minnesota. I remember the game winning goal being scored at 10 minutes. From then on, I counted the minutes down until the end of the game. The Team USA victory over the Soviet Union and going on to win the gold medal was the greatest sporting event in my lifetime.

[@deesong6722]

Best moment in sports history!

[@RSTI191]

I was 18, growing up in Boston, hockey was your religion. This was an amazing experience I never forgot and never will..

[@bjc12566]

I was so happy that they played the entire national anthem in this documentary.

[@bobvasquez1846]

The joy of that moment brings a tear out of my eye. Seeing the greatest sports event of all time bar none.

[@teddosborn9632]

I was.12 yrs old watching this and it still gives me chills today. It was a historic moment that will live forever.

[@reelguyoutdoors5536]

the day Bernie cried!

[@ginmar8134]

Bernie's a lying poseur

[@salvadoralba8207]

🪖😭🇺🇸🧠🇲🇽

[@astrahcat1212]

The greatest sports story, game, ever played, ever. It was like Rocky, but in real life.

[@Greencastles23]

Seems like this win really foreshadowed much of the 80's: hope, joy, and a renewed American pride! We need a moment like this again now!

[@patrickholtzman5096]

Damn do we ever! The closest thing to this would be if the US men's soccer team won a World Cup.

[@damianop100]

It never gets old. I love these guys.

[@acepaul407]

I was 11 years old when this happened. I remember my dad yelling, 'YOU'RE AMERICANS DAMN IT, FIGHT LIKE ONE !!!!!!". Don't ever count out America, EVER !!!!!!!

[@BigRedRIP]

I was 14 and had never seen a hockey match. I watched the entire game and remember jumping up and down on the couch crying when Eruzione knocked the winning goal in. Impossible to watch the highlights again without getting goosebumps and I'll never forget how proud I felt to be an American. "Great moments are created by great opportunities". Herb knew he had something special with those boys.

[@gerardmiele4197]

I was 13 years old and will never forget the 1980 US Hockey team. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@salvadoralba8207]

Ah yes,

[@mattyholcombe9258]

I'm a huge sports fan. 58 years old. To this day I have only cried twice. Secratait winning by 31 lengths and this amazing, almost unbelievable Miracle!!

[@willyshep6796]

Greatest hockey game ever. Todays Olympic hockey pales in comparison. Watched it live. As live as it could be.

[@johngiacca8752]

Watching this, never fails, cry every time! Greatest upset in sports history!

[@tincat43]

Those guys busted their butts against incredible odds, and I thank them for that! They earned their gold medals.

[@bjc12566]

If you are not moved , you are not AMERICAN... I remember being 14 and finding new hope and such a respect for our country. I tell my children this changed the course of our country . I share this because we need to remember there is hope and a chance to make things better .

[@rolfbernserke4735]

This story never gets old for me And I was 9 years old when it happened 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@salvadoralba8207]

🙌🏻🇺🇸🧠

[@joesavary6081]

I was amazed that a major hockey tournament had no team Canada even mentioned. It was USA's time to shine

[@tmbacz]

I was 9 at the time, but remember it like I was 20. That last ten minutes though.. Almost stopped my young heart on a couple of occasions. Before home video we went to the Hockey Hall of Fame and watched it twice. And yes, all of us with tears in our eyes.

[@edkokosko1759]

Far greater than a hockey game! You are so special. I love you guys! Never played hockey in my life. 🤣🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@salvadoralba8207]

But i always wanted to play hockey subconsciously

[@aaronoverton3422]

We need this real American feeling again!

[@BRuane-pw6xq]

Never will happen. Nation is so divided. Hatredv

[@stevencoffman34]

It was an awesome time for our country when we needed it

[@TheBrightSounds]

I sports cry every single time I watch this..... God Bless America!

[@lou5501]

I'm not even American (English, but now live in the USA) and I was never even interested in ice hockey. However, I was here at the time this game was played and it was one of the greatest moments I've ever known. Even now, I watch this game frequently, despite it being so many years ago. Yet, seeing it is still one of the most memorable experiences of all time.

[@ronditchen6664]

Greatest moment in American sport history with out a doubt Don't care how many professional basketball players that's won gold medals all good but doesn't even come close to comparing what them young college kids did in February of 1980.....

[@Greencastles23]

Watching the actual footage in this documentary I literally had to stop myself several times and remember they were showing the ACTUAL event and not the movie. I remember in the making of the movie feature they noted how hard they tried to recreate the event, but WOW!; they REALLY copied it moment for moment. The goal celebrations, Euruzione on the podium & gesturing for the team to join him, Brooks telling the team to 'Play your game' -- wow. It really reveals what an impressive feat the movie was. An impressive recreation of one neck of an impressive real life event!

[@res3382]

I was 15 on the Sunday of the Gold medal match. That morning my 4 brothers and I refused to go to Mass just so we could watch the game. The only time we ever won that battle against my mom..We got in trouble but it was so obviously worth it

[@arthurgscholich3833]

Your sins are forgiven!

[@mikebliesener193]

Oh, what a time it was! USA!

[@xandercalimaderthemander1084]

I was 12 yrs old and didn't know squat about hockey...but watching these games was 2 weeks I'll never forget

[@stewartmcmullan3972]

I have watched more sports events than I could ever count. I have great memories, lots of them. But nothing else has ever excited me or made me proud like the Miracle on Ice. It seems like it was just yesterday and still takes my breath away. What an event it was! USA USA USA!

[@frame3139]

Stewart McMullan agreed.......

[@lornacharles8645]

Stewart McMullan AMEN😃 AMEN😃 and AMEN😃

[@jameskilcoyne1955]

I am not a hockey fan...I am a fan of the 1980 US hockey team!!! Incredible. Amazing.

[@formerMossad75]

The most wonderful lesson in my life. Thanks mr. Brooks. Thanks, I would have liked to learn how to be a REAL coach from you.

[@bradsimbric7023]

If a guy could go back in time and attend any one sports event, this would be it for me.

[@ernieenesi448]

40 yrs later where as our Patriotism gone as an Nation...one Nation under GOD indivisible with liberty and justice for all.......7.24.20...🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲❤🇺🇲🇺🇲 Such a GREAT moment for our Nation. Miracle on Ice...1980 lake Placid

[@brucehartley3858]

My parents got to watch this live at a neighbors house who had a powerful antenna and was able to get the CTV feed. I was at RIT and in my room when I heard on the radio we won and I ran down the hall and was immediately told to not say anything as to not ruin it. So we all huddled in front of the TV in Gibson-H lounge and I was the only one who knew we had already won - it was super hard to not give it away during the tape delay broadcast and at 11 PM the entire campus went absolutely nuts both Friday night and then again on Sunday night after we won the gold medal. The celebration Sunday night went way into the wee hours of the morning, for those of you who don’t know - the king sport at the school is Hockey, not football. Every sporting thing at RIT revolves around the hockey team and more recently the lacrosse team so that is why so many people were very much into the games.

[@dominicmarino8524]

Perfectly put Steve. I watched it live on Canadian TV on CTV if you were lucky enough to live by border town. Thank God to this day for an epic moment and CTV

[@MrSetonBob]

I still cry all these years later. God bless America. God bless Coach and his Miracle on Ice.

[@btbarr16]

The movie Miracle omitted Herb's best pregame speech, in my opinion. Talk about a coach knowing exactly what his team needed to hear when they needed to hear it.

[@carlofontanello2415]

Greatest Hockey Team Ever. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🏻

[@deborahshepard4512]

I was in a working class college in Boston at this time. Harvard, BU, BC and Northeastern all played in the Beanpot every year. This brings tears to my eyes everytime I see it, over 40 years later.

[@vitalitybypaul6966]

Why do I still love this so much?

[@ChrisG87]

It's the greatest sports call of all time - for the greatest sports moment in American history.

[@Neilfrozn]

This is still the best moment in Olympic history!

[@paulesposito5856]

All had the heart of a lion. I will never forget this team or these moments.

[@benbreeg6839]

By the way, if you enjoyed this documentary do yourself a favor and buy the DVD. There are more parts to this that for whatever reason are not shown on any you tube videos I've seen.

[@spidurfiji]

Yeah some good stuff missing including comments by the one Iranian hostage and Coach Brooks referring to the one Soviet player as Herb Brooks. Unusually enough, HBO Max doesnt have this available.

[@dennissvitak148]

"Do you believe in miracles?" Perhaps the greatest line in sports announcing history.

[@stevematthews3541]

i watched this game live.. ill never forget it...

[@JP-nj5es]

We were watching a video feed in Alaska. Lost the video at 3 minutes left. Absolute bedlam in the bar for a 1:30. Then bedlam again for joy

[@astein7035]

I remember watching this almost like it was yesterday. I remember where I was… San Diego California serving in the US NAVY. There was a lot of turmoil in the world at that time. This game against the Russians was more than just a game. Patriotism was somewhat lack luster due to the malaise of Jimmy Carter. This game gave America a shot in the arm that it badly needed. The guys scratched and clawed along their way. Nothing was given to them! Not an inch! Their resilience was Miraculous! To the team if you read this: 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

[@iluvdissheet]

I'm here in2019! Still the best international sports momemt!

[@edb2884]

Awesome 3 parter; great production work. Thank you for letting us relive this moment. I wish i could've seen it; i was 25, my 5th year in the Navy, and on a sub somewhere deep in the Atlantic; the best we got was a Armed Services update days afterward. I had no way to appreciate what the country could enjoy. Spectactular.

[@boblewis5033]

Watch this once a year. These are the toughest athletes in any sport. Good stuff. Everybody remembers where they were.

[@chipgriffiths3655]

Go back and watch the original miracle on ice in '60, Dryden and the commentator of the gold medal game said the same thing at the conclusion of the game! Unbelievable. Now that's epic.

[@BlazeLeber]

How lucky to be a cameraman! How could they not be knocked to the floor. How could they see through the tears they must have cried too. Amazing.

[@1956jeffer]

"The American Dream" Hockey Style! Thanks guys!

[@briandavey1139]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.

[@robertmcmaster1577]

Thank you gentlemen, I'll never forget ,one of my life's best moments

[@TOCC50]

Craig’s mother probably died of lung cancer from smoking 🚬

[@jayhom449]

This what we need now and forever. We all stood to be proud Americans.

[@MEDIC1275]

At 9yrs old. The only time I ever loved Hockey..🇺🇸

[@davidroyer8512]

I remember this game and excitement. Was just out of the Marine corps, and living in EVELETH, MINNESOTA, HOCKEY capital of the USA. What a great experience even 41 years later.

[@arnieadkins2333]

This team motivated me so much, I joined the marine corp.

[@ivangamez9773]

Greatest team to ever wear the USA flag 🇺🇸 They did it. If only my beloved USA soccer team could win the World Cup ⚽

[@PackerBronco]

I was an 18-year old kid from Madison, WI. Madison had a big presence in those olympics with Suter and Mark Johnson on the hockey team and Eric Heiden winning an unprecedented 5 gold medals in speed skating. I remember watching all of the games on tape delay and going nuts when they tied the game with Sweden at the end. I was working my restaurant shift on the Friday night when the showdown with the Russians occurred. Around about 7pm there was this huge roar from the restaurant and one of the waitresses came into the kitchen and told us that the US had beaten the Russians. I couldn't believe it. By the time I went home, they had already rebroadcast the game, so I missed it but caught some of the highlights. Then on Sunday morning we rushed home from mass to catch the game against Finland. The U.S. was losing too but I was used to seeing that and I knew/hoped that they would pull it out in the 3rd. The funny thing is that the tying goal and the go-head goal both occurred during commercial breaks! Anyway, when they won, it capped the greatest sporting event of my life. Even 40 years later I can't watch a video like this without a surge of emotion remembering that time past.

[@peterparnin7743]

It was great how close the actors looked like the players and Herb Brooks and his assistant coach.

[@TheBlackRuffles]

remember that day in Poland when US team destroyed soviets....and you guys should listen to the "cry" which was coming from the speaker .......happy to be here for over 30 Years.....Love YOU AMERICA!

[@mickeyjudge7298]

Oh yeah baby! Still get emotional every time I see this....

[@UrbanOutlawsSk8Co]

The Soviets brought out the best in us, and for that we must always be thankful.

[@rodroller6634]

I remember watching the game tape delayed. So I had to avoid people that knew the score before I finally got home to watch the game.

[@micheley2140]

No matter what your politics gender race identity creed religion blood type hair color hearing impaired WHATEVER this is an excellent story! I don’t even watch or like hockey it’s just so proud of the scrappy Americans agains the Goliath

[@robschannel4512]

Im married to a wonderful lady from Ukraine, we've been married 17 years and have a son, she allways tells me in the USSR that game was like, ok USA won but we dominated for decades. I said to her, it was everything to us.

[@richardhull6595]

I'm a sports fan. I'm a hockey fan and I watch a lot of pro hockey. But never in my life have I seen a sports event as great as this one hockey game. What we need right now - in 2020 - to pull this country together as one is another "miracle on ice"

[@KMK7355]

Sorry Richard we just need a whole lot fewer Republicans.

[@zg1000dru1]

Tears in my eyes every time I see this. Just like being 14 in front of the TV again.

[@edwardlittlefield447]

A great American story!

[@gretzkysyotes]

4:18 their reactions....just bring tears to my eyes.

[@TJ-it1bm]

I was 4yrs old, and wish I could have remembered