Do You Believe In Miracles? (ABC Video Enterprises 1980)

The story of the U.S. hockey team's victory at the 1980 Winter Olympics

[@williamstafford8951]

I'm 54 years old and this gives me chills every single time.

[@TheGabrielAmerican]

My dad said we had to go to mass at noon. My mom said, “This will never happen again. We’re watching the game.” We watched the game. I believe Jesus was cool with it.

[@MacKenziePoet]

People came out of their homes to knock on neighbors' doors to alert them what was going on... After the broadcast everyone came out again to rave about it.

[@morales1961]

Nice!!!

[@KMK7355]

The Gold Medal game against Finland was Sunday at 11AM and the USSR game was replayed the Friday night before at 8.

[@huckjeffrey5057]

I remember watching it as well. I was so proud to be an American and at age 7 it was such a huge moment for me to see. I remember being at school and them canceling classes so the entire school could watch the Gold Medal game in the gym. Our teachers gave us lessons on teamwork and using the team as lessons to never give up, work hard, and believe in ourselves.

[@craigdylan3953]

Jesus does not play hockey. He plays at Sweep rowing as in 1936. Any fool knows that; especially rowing fans.

[@MadiBendy]

My parents were 12 years old when this game happened. They talk constantly about how incredible this game was… I believe them 🥰

[@greatbasinpower8089]

The only hockey game I have ever watched. Stands alone as the single greatest sporting event I've ever seen. You can only understand if you lived the moment...

[@peterambro86]

Back when the Olympics were the Olympics. No dream teams just dedicated amateurs finding a way to thrill us.

[@tonymarchese3118]

Great TRUTHFUL.statement

[@mikeelmer3664]

Except that the USSR team was basically a full dream team since they couldn't go pro (not to mention massive amounts of steroids!)

[@lou5501]

Not to sound too dramatic (!!) - but watching this, was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I've never forgotten it and still watch it on a regular basis.

[@1965murata]

amen

[@kimely9621]

My brother was at that game and caught a stick one of the USA players threw in the stands and he still has it. What a night!!

[@russellwilliams4064]

Unless you lived this you can't fully understand how this felt

[@andrewneedham3281]

Technically you probably didn't "live" it either, as the game was broadcast on a 2.5 hour delay. The game had been over for almost an hour before the US broadcasted it. Also, kinda weird flex to gatekeep strong feelings of nationalistic pride, but if that's what you need to get up each day....

[@edx21x]

@@andrewneedham3281 lighten up, Andrew

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Absolute fact

[@zerubbablestranger6970]

@@andrewneedham3281 Wow! What a wet blanket!

[@MrChewy63]

I was a 16 year old kid crying for this Team and still today gives me chills.

[@foxnotch]

That last goal against the Finns was a beauty. The forecheck and the finish.

[@traceywoodward1354]

12 yrs old and sick with the mumps...missed a.weekof school...so my sleep schedule was all messed up and my dad worked alot of odd hours...so we would sit up late and watch the hockey games...didn't know Jack squat about hockey...but we had a blast watching the games

[@aspenrebel]

I can't believe that that was 43 years ago. I remember watching it on TV like it was yesterday. That victory, singularly, brought the country out of its doldrums at the time.

[@edwardmcmanus7496]

Sure did ! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@KMK7355]

Herb Brooks must have made a deal with the devil as the US hasn't won Gold since.

[@jedclampett7705]

Single greatest moment in all of sport right there….Lake Placid, NY 1980! Like it was yesterday. What a memory!!!

[@julieblount5674]

Rizzo's dance when he made the winning score. Love it.

[@johnhickman106]

Hearing Pelle Lindbergh's name at the beginning with Sweden saddens me. He had such a great career going for him before he wrecked his car and killed himself. On the flipside, the team captain getting the go-ahead goal on the Soviets and the short-handed goal against Finland were just as you'd write in a storybook. The US was up by one, but instead of defending while down a man, they went on the attack and that truly showed the mentality of the team and Herb's style. What a great memory. RIP Pelle Lindbergh.

[@dannyboy4866]

I was a young hockey player from dracut, Massachusetts. Family all huddled around a small black and white tv....fire burning, dog by the door,..... when mike scored that goal? We went bananas. I laced up the skates and went to the pond, the next day. Dad, bought me a USA jersey that weekend. I'll never forget that team. We've all seen victory and defeat. But not like that one. Greatest story in sports history.

[@mckessa17]

I was living in Canada and watching the game against the Russians. It was the biggest upset I had ever seen in hockey. It gave me goosebumps.

[@terrencedeagle4429]

The old Soviet pros masquerading as amateurs really underestimated the Americans on this one.

[@damianop100]

@@mckessa17 Still gives me goosebumps.

[@haoleboysurfec2730]

Greatest sports event in USA history...period.

[@bobsyouruncle66]

As a Canadian, wee believe hockey is our game and never accept anything less than gold or first place in any tournament...I remember watching this game live as a 14 year old and could not be more excited for my American cousins to beat the USSR...a team that had built such an aura of invincibility, yet a group or College students did!!!...this was the game that began the change...the belief that USSR could be beaten! Congrats!

[@garyneidhardt1362]

This victory provided a mood swing for the entire country. I remember it very well.

[@cacornhusker2940]

this was one of those, "i remember where i was", moments. i left campus after my last class and drove 35 miles to my parents house to watch the game. we didn't sit down more than10 consecutive seconds during game time. and the last 10 minutes was an eternity of pure angst.

[@lynnzabachta4971]

I remember it so well....went to Boston U, as did 4 of the players. Shared a beer with Jim Craig. And cheered our team all the way!!!

[@Gh0stBustaz11]

This country needs something like this to bring us all together, now, more than ever before.

[@redhourglass8]

Nothing you can do about traitors. NO ONE was pro-Russia then. No one. Then Trump happened and WP lost their damn minds

[@altfactor]

Maybe the U.S.men's soccer team can win the World Cup later this fall.

[@alexmacdonald9182]

because the GOP is tearing us apart

[@shawnyoung8752]

We should come together for ourselves. I guess that nothing will change 40% of our country.

[@Kezia.G]

@@alexmacdonald9182 Coz the GOP is in power, I guess? Lol. Look harder, you'll find that DNC is tearing you guys apart over race, ethnicity, religion, and what not. Ugh.

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Pavolich was just found dead.....RIP, Mark, Thanks for the memories!

[@motorcitymanman7711]

@Chad Harold I like eggs.

[@chrishoke5455]

This still gives me chills

[@carnakthemagnificent336]

When Michaels said, "Do you believe in miracles?" Every time.

[@user-un1zs9iu4e]

IT WAS GREAT..WE NEEDED THIS AT THE TIME..❤❤❤❤

[@scottpollack5453]

I remember coming home from work and watching the game on TV with my wife! She is definitely a “Casual” sports fan, however, when Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal in the 3rd Period, she went ABSOLUTELY CRAZY! She cried her eyes out and said she had never been more proud to be an American! That hockey game changed the whole attitude of our Country who was suffering from the Iran Hostage Event, long gas lines, 21% interest rates and Jimmy Carter as President! I remember it as if it happened yesterday! May God continue to Bless The United States of America!

[@KMK7355]

I would take Carter as President over Trump and Bush in a heartbeat. GTFO if here with your Rethug BS.

[@jeffperry7971]

I’ll never forget watching it on TV in our living room and Al Michaels on the call.

[@Lori-xt2lf]

That was great. I remember the feeling. We need another miracle! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@floundergearjam]

Do you believe in miracles?

[@FlightAirplane]

sus sus sus sus

[@altfactor]

Yessss!!!!!!!

[@badger012009]

Thank you Mark Pavelich...

[@Madmun357]

What a great moment. I don't know a thing about hockey. Until I was in my 40s I had seen exactly one hockey game in my life, against the USSR. I still remember watching it. It brings me to tears every time. Like Jim McKay said, even people who weren't hockey fans loved it. "Do you believe in miracles?" It made Al Michael's career.

[@KMK7355]

When Al passes his news notice will be his call of this game.

[@1965murata]

Al Michaels said most viewers don't know the difference between the blue line and a clothes line but they are watching this game.

[@frankducett9]

We were living in Tampa, jumping up and down, drinking beer and screaming, one month later I was on my best behavior working at Sperry in Phienix. That was the highlight of many of our lives.

[@bradleyhart2492]

I played highschool football and baseball, I can't ice-skate tho I had a lot of friends who played hockey and were good skaters. This...by far...is the greatest moment in sports history.

[@dianeveont1549]

Chills.Mike played for my home town team....amazing.True grit.What hockey is about....

[@1959blee]

Every time anyone who watched these games in real time then (and if you didn’t, can you even imagine this and the whole week of games in real time?! ) I could still have a stroke!!! Seriously, a shothanded goal?!!! I cry, swell with pride in these kids, the USA and feel sorry for those who did not experience anything this once in a lifetime sports events. Finland, love ya, but destiny was a given that year. You cannot imagine. I most certaintly believe in miracles. God His gift of all these kids to show His grace and pure undultrated joy. . The “where is my father “ shot may kill me yet, 40 years + later

[@RoyalMela]

Back then Finland was not a contender. To even reach the medal round was a big thing, since Czechoslovakia or Canada neither made it. This would have been the first major medal for Finland. They needed a victory from this game to get bronze but that might have not even be enough, because later this day Soviets and Sweden played the last game of the tournament. As it turned out, Soviets beat Sweden by a large margin. If Finland had won this game, Soviets would have been gold medalists, USA for the silver, Finland bronze and Sweden 4th. If Finland was to win USA by a large margin, it was possible that Finns could have taken silver because better goal differential than USA. And if that happened, and also Soviets and Sweden tied the last game, USA would have finished 4th.

[@andrewneedham3281]

Technically, you probably didn't watch it in "real time," either. For almost all of the country, the game was on about a 2.5 hour delay. One area even had the result spoiled! At 9:30 p.m Milwaukee, WI, time., with 11 minutes to play and the score tied 3-3, local Channel 12 anchor Vince Gibbens did the channel's teaser for the 10 p.m. nightly news, and spoiled the game's final! So, for those in the Milwaukee area who claim they watched it "live," think how bad that'd feel to have the game's result spoiled for you with just 11 minutes left in the game?

[@berryscott3590]

@@andrewneedham3281 We saw the miracle on ice game vs Soviets live , in Canada...If memory serves, the game started at 5pm EST...I still remember where I was... which was in a crowded , boisterous, pro-USA bar, with the game on a large screen on the ground-floor (well, it was more of a basement really)... with the game on TV upstairs & me bouncing between venues...GOOD TIMES!

[@KMK7355]

If you lived in Suburban Detroit or in upstate NY\NH\VT you could see the game from Canada live.

[@kikialdrich4574]

I’m from Louisiana. I have ice skated a couple of times. It’s so foreign to me. Watching these guys do so many athletic moves on ice is crazy. We have college football and we are good at it and that is awesome. But the moves they make, on shoes with blades, on sheets of ice is truly amazing. I guess it’s what you know. That is why our country is so badass.

[@KMK7355]

We haven't won a Gold Medal since. My son played HS hockey in the Boston area and was recruited NCAA D3 circa 2003. He has never witnessed a US Gold Medal in the Olympics. Closest he has seen was 2010 when they lost to Canada in OT in the Gold Medal Game. Its a good thing they didn't allow pros in the Olympics in 1980 because no way the US would beat both the USSR and Canada...lol.

[@alfredjcarpenter]

RIP Mark . Gold metal !

[@motorcitymanman7711]

Greatest sporting event I ever watched! Like a college football team beating the NFL Super Bowl Champion!!

[@andrewneedham3281]

Sad that, for almost all of the country, the game was on about a 2.5 hour delay. But this was well before the internet, so a lot of people claim the game's result wasn't spoiled for them.

[@carmineformichelli1415]

i still get chills

[@us-Bahn]

The happy skippy goal dance on skate blades is one tradition we are fortunate to leave behind.

[@brianbannon6746]

For the ages...

[@veronicahartman1751]

Goosebumps still on my entire body. Love our boys❤️❤️❤️

[@johnantonis8815]

I see name called out seeing there face true hockey players like that Spartans like I am so beautiful hockey players my god wow how much know 2023 have changed in they NHL 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🐐🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🇺🇸🍺🇨🇦🍺

[@peterspadetti3148]

That says it all Yes proud as can be Great team Great moment

[@SlightReturn666]

We didn't watch TV when I was growing up except for the Winter Olympics. We had the most pathetic little black and white TV that was usually stashed in the back of the closet. Two of the most vivid memories of my life were Franz Klammer's insane run winning the gold in Men's Downhill Skiing in 1976, then even more so Team USA's beating the Soviets in hockey four years later. Absolutely crazy CRAZY joy!!! Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!!

[@trollslayergaming]

Unbelievable still to this day, remember watching and how nervous I was. WOW great memory.

[@marcosc7375]

How this team bonded till the end, even at the gold medal platform they managed to fit every single player on it. How fitting.

[@twillford27]

I remember watching this live! What a game!

[@trvman1]

It was delayed. it was an afternoon game.

[@robertlaporte2998]

Destiny is made by those who believe all things are possible with God!

[@sescuba6405]

US vs Russia - greatest moment in sports history EVER!

[@JohnRRoe2]

I remember the whole thing as a 13 year old back in 1980!!! I even told my Dad that the US was going to win that gold medal before the games and told me YOUR NUTS KID!!! But. after beating Finland on Sun Feb 24th to win that Gold !!! MY Dad told me that I was right!!!!

[@libfab1]

I was 11.. It was amazing.

[@lunapasquale]

Amazing

[@tommas2674]

these were kids playing their hearts out for their country USA . NOT pampered pooches , real Olympians .

[@andrewneedham3281]

Sad that, for almost all of the country, the game was on about a 2.5 hour delay. But this was well before the internet, so a lot of people claim the game's result wasn't spoiled for them.

[@Governor_William_J_Lepetomane]

I can still remember this as a youngster. My father didn't curse a lot, but I clearly remember watching this game with him and the rest of the family. "Beat those commie bastards!!!" That came from a very peaceful man who didn't watch hockey. But on that night, as was the case with millions around the world, he became a fan.

[@maggieandscotttodd3475]

Thanks for the great memories!

[@kennethandrews8460]

I remember when the news came in a special report by Ernie Anastos of ABC

[@Rangerglx]

Life changing moment for me!

[@mikewrasman5103]

The wild thing is that Al Michaels had only done the hockey games at the 1972 Olympics. Ken Dryden was a Canadian (and a fantastic goalie).

[@altfactor]

I thought that Al Michaels had called games of the California (Oakland) Golden Seals for then-NBC owned KNBR radio in San Francisco during the 1971-72 season, and that was what led him to be assigned to the NBC-TV network's coverage of hockey at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.

[@jackweinberg6537]

NEVER will all of the dominoes line up to repeat that event. It's impossible. From pulling the goalie to tie Swedes to exactly how they beat Russia. Every star and planet aligned. Add the political climate and the USSR still being one nation. The perfect coach with the perfect group played in the US. Greatest singular sporting event ever.

[@danshearer7627]

Pelle Lindbergh - The only goaltender the US didn't beat. Later drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers and died in a tragic auto accident. RIP Pelle.

[@KMK7355]

Mats Naslund and Thomas Jonnson on that Swedish Team. Russians crushed them to win Silver.

[@trisgilmour]

Very nice 😊

[@davidgiles913]

Herb Brooks conditioning for players won that medal. The US team was just as strong as Soviets in 3rd period.

[@cryptohalloffame]

that and the genius of mark pavelich

[@deanladue5367]

The fact that Team USA was outskating the Soviets in period 3 was astounding to see. NOBODY had ever done that against the Soviets before. Maybe Brooks was right all along when he said that the Soviet team was ripe to get beat.

[@KMK7355]

Dean, Canada and Finland had legit chances to beat them.

[@kfiscal01]

I swear their ws divine intervention in this Olympics, the US was down, all of us who worked hard and had dealt with inflation, Plants closing, national disappointments all around us. Most Americans weren't huge hockey fans, but we knew the importance of this game. The victory truly brought us together and helped bring pride and hope back.

[@KMK7355]

Brooks made a deal with the devil because US hasn't won a Gold since.

[@cryptohalloffame]

you're absolutely correct, and I can tell you exactly Who it was that intervened... it was Sant Ajaib Singh, the living perfect mahatma. It was all in His will that this should happen, and I could prove it if necessary, not just a belief. But you're very perceptive. I've spent a few years explaining the spiritual aspect of this game, which was huge.

[@peterrimel8170]

I was 18, didn’t know a thing about hockey. Two years later, I would hold season seats to the Kings, then the Ducks, from 1982-2010. This game is the greatest upset in sports history.

[@pdoylemi]

To match this, Angola would have had to beat the USA Dream Team in basketball in 1992.

[@peterrimel8170]

@@pdoylemi good point

[@traceywoodward1354]

I remember 1 of the games...and the referee made a call that brooks absolutely hated...and the camera hit him saying some fairly choice words...and my dad said"good thing there's not a microphone nearby"

[@deanladue5367]

I remember Mark Johnson took a vicious hit in one of the games, (against the Czechs i think) and was down on the ice. The ABC mics were on, and the F-bombs from Brooks were flying! It was obviously a retaliatory hit on Johnson after either Euruzione or O Callahan had blasted one the Czech players over the boards and into their own bench.

[@armpwm7913]

Jim McKay was one of the best.

[@KMK7355]

Another McKay inaccuracy was saying no team had beaten the USSR in 12 years. Well Jim, Team Canada with a guy named Orr and a guy named Hull beat them in the 1976 Canada Cup.

[@russellhurst3041]

God bless America!!!!!

[@SPallvin]

У США была симпатичная команда в 80"!

[@johngiacca8752]

I tell my kids the greatest upset against the Russians in Sports history! Love it!

[@shouldhavedonebetter]

At the time, we all called it a miracle, but it wasn't close to a miracle. They just needed time to gel together. Herb Brooks had a great eye for exceptional talent. Look at the team and what they did in the NHL later. Neal Broten - only player ever to win the NCAA Championship, an Olympic Gold, and a Stanley Cup, 17 seasons in the NHL - 923 career points. Ken Morrow to the Islanders - the Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier Islanders - he's the final piece of the puzzle and wins the Gold and the Stanley Cup in the same year, and helps win 4 Cups in a row. Mike Ramsey - 1,070 games over 18 years in the NHL, leaves the Sabres - goes to the Red Wings and plays in the Cup but loses to the Devils - and Neal Broten. Dave Christian -14 years in the NHL, 340 goals, a Stanley Cup appearance with the Bruins and an All Star appearance. Mark Johnson - 11 years in the NHL - team captain for the Hartford Whalers. Jack O'Callahan, Mark Pavelich, and Dave Silk were all solid NHL players with 23 combined years and 903 NHL game appearances. Two more years together and they would beat any team, any time. Underdogs in 1980 for sure - but no miracle - it was a great team with tremendous talent.

[@Arcturian1111]

This is forever the best upset in any sporting event. Bar none, college kids playing a pro team.

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

They chanted USA! USA! USA! in 2016 too! Then 2020 came in and it sounded like a dry fart!

[@billschieber]

butthurt are we snowflake

[@robertnoble6600]

No that dry fart was from Dumb shit Biden and the morons who voted for him. What a freaking embarrassment. A vote for Biden is a vote against America and freedom.

[@KMK7355]

Put the straight jacket back on. Trump and his GOP thugs tried to overturn an election by force.

[@robertnoble6600]

@@KMK7355 Wake up. You Democrats made Venezuela so proud. And that’s not the worst of it. But your clueless ass is to busy playing with your phone to even begin to think for yourself. So keep letting CNN take you for a ride. Moron!!!!!

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

@@KMK7355 wait untill WE take it back by force! Just wait..

[@reesewahl5488]

My dad was a teacher!! He sqeezed me and bought me my first stick!!

[@reesewahl5488]

After this game ! Havent taken my skates off

[@reesewahl5488]

47 now

[@daleschroeder5582]

9 players where from minnesota my home state yes we played a major role on that hockey team

[@jamesesselman283]

13 were from Minnesota

[@KMK7355]

There were 12 from Minnesota. Mark Johnson was like 5 years old when he moved to Wisconsin. His entire schooling was in Madison, Wusconsin.

[@c.miller3802]

Our country was in poor shape at this time , everything was falling apart . Inflation was off the charts . Economy was bad , we seemed to be losing the Cold War . We had a terrible president. But this changed things in ways no one thought possible.

[@thomasryan5736]

The 1960 US Olympic hockey team was the first team to win the gold medal. And they had to go through the USSR to win as well. The 80 team was good and had ABC and Al Michaels to provide the hype. But they were not the first US team to win gold.

[@colleengaskill2792]

I don’t anyone said they were. But it had been twenty years, this team wasn’t even predicted to make it to the medal round, and in 1980 we needed a lift.

[@lizapaulineramirez]

@@colleengaskill2792 Yes, there were Americans being held hostage @ the time. It was an uplifting moment for the USA for sure. USA! ❤️🤍💙

[@KMK7355]

Colleen, Sports Illustrated picked them to win bronze. There were pretty clear indicators that this particular age group (players born 1955-1960) were the first group of US players producing good to elite NHL talent in numbers never seen before. 1955 - Mark Howe - Mike O'Connell - Paul Holmgren 1956 - Reed Larson - Ken Morrow Tom Rowe - Mike Fidler 1957 Steve Baker - Rod Langway - Joe Mullen - Mark Johnson Langway, Howe and Mullen HOF PLAYERS.

[@cshook]

why is there no closed captioning on this??? =(

[@PlateletRichGel]

I watched this live from home after school and when they beat the Russians I ran outside of the house and was yelling and jumping up and down by myself.

[@JimmyFranceable]

Not strangers. They played each other in college for years.

[@KMK7355]

9 of the 19 played together the prior year at NCAA Champion I Minnesota. Every player played with at least one teammate in college except Dave Christian. The team was made up of

[@KMK7355]

players from 5 schools from the WCHA, ECAC and CCHA.

[@berryscott3590]

Quote: 'They'd done what no other country or NHL team had done in 12years... beaten the Russians.' What are you talking about? Broad Street Bullies smacked CSKA Moscow/Red Army silly, in 1976, 4-1, out-shooting them something like 49-13... Plus didn't NHL all stars win first game of Rendezvous series 4-3? No Olympic team had beat the Russians in 12 years, but they didn't allow NHLers back then...

[@berryscott3590]

Hmmm... just read thru comments... 1979 Challenge Cup was it? I was too lazy to check... Pretty sure I got score right though... Soviets won 2nd game 6-0, if memory serves, with Mishkin (sp?), rather than Tretiak in goal

[@garydurso8475]

Third … second game was 5-4 cccp

[@robertosso5210]

i wonder if there would be the same hype if usa would ever go all the way and win the soccer world cup!

[@johnrochford2934]

The soviets had to watch the replay the next day and we’re shocked to see their team lose to the Americans and on American soil.

[@scottaznavourian3720]

I feel the only reason they only tied sweeden was cause they were still shell shocked from the exhibition loss to the soviets at msg.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🥇

[@kenjohnson6603]

Did the USA back up goalie ever get onto the ice to play?

[@deanladue5367]

Nope, Jim Craig played through the entire Olympics. Janazak never saw the ice.

[@tommyhunter1817]

In modern America all you need to succeed is a little government Covid relief. Lord I miss the days of my youth.

[@scottaznavourian3720]

The unbelievable arrogance that the soviets never even practiced pulling their goalie...

[@deanladue5367]

Coach Tekhonov had never been in that situation before, and his team unbelievably were being outskated by team USA at that point in the game. As Coach Brooks would say later, "he didn't know what to do."

[@captsparks1]

Herb Brooks was the greatest coach in the game.

[@PumaTwoU]

Those who are younger watching this need to understand. The USSR team was literally professionals, their government gave them the JOB of training for the Olympics and they trained year round, fully paid and funded, because the Soviets wanted athletics to be part of their propaganda structure of proving their economic and philosophy system worked. The United States, like many other nations, used only amateurs for Olympic teams at this time. This is why the players were college level, with limited support. The Soviet team had been difficult to beat for a long time. Was it a miracle? Not in a literal sense. In this case they were simply out played. The United States would eventually change their rules for Olympic teams and allow professional athletes to compete at the Olympics, with the same intention as the Soviets had, to show domination in athletics as a form of patriotic propaganda.

[@deanladue5367]

Also credit Herb Brooks for completely changing how a national team trained and played. US Olympic teams before would just play college teams to raise money for US Hockey. But Brooks took it much farther, putting his team up against international competition, and professional teams in independent leagues and minor league NHL affiliates as well as college teams.

[@alejoh3179]

Romania

[@williamdiemert9866]

It's like Canadian Football League all stars teams beat the National Football League all stars teams

[@KMK7355]

Actually Jim McKay used huge hyperbole in the first 20 seconds when he said 20 players came together who didn't play together before. Well Jim 9 of the 19 players had played together the previous year for the 1979 NCAA Champion U Minnesota. In fact EVERY PLAYER played at least one year in college with someone else on the team.

[@KMK7355]

Correction, Dave Christian was only player wo a college teammate.

[@garysimard5674]

They were wrong in saying that no NHL had beaten them in 12 years. Philly beat them in 76. As well, the NHL All-Stars beat the Soviets in Game 1 of the 79 Challenge Cup. Also Montreal beat them New Year's Eve in 79.

[@Joscope]

So Kharlamov winds up getting killed in a car wreck in 1981 but he came pretty close to getting killed 5 years earlier in that game against the Flyers at the Spectrum. Russians got severally trounced in that one..

[@mckessa17]

Team Canada which was an NHL allstar team beat the Russians in 1972

[@kurtgreaser988]

@@Joscope The Flyers laid the lumber to Russian Red Army team. You know the game means something ehe3n Islanders, Ranger, and Bruin fans are pulling for the Flyers. Lets Go Flyers!

[@BBQFanNo1]

Yes indeed an incorrect erroneous statement. NHL Players beat the Soviet Union Team in Game 1 of the Challenge Cup the year before [that's not 14 years] and less than 8 years earlier in an 8 Game Series in 1972 . Entire Clubs were not put together with NHL Players in the Winter Olympics until 1998.

[@mikewilkins2030]

So this is what mighty ducks was about?

[@zerubbablestranger6970]

Let’s not forget, the USSR was talking about not going due to our disagreement with them invading Afghanistan…..

[@erikpeterson25]

Youth and enthusiasm turned into assets ....yup

[@jamesesselman283]

Herb should have gone back to the University of Minnesota....he would have won a bunch more national championships there instead of being an also-ran coach in the NHL. Herb's coaching style didn't work in the Pros.

[@deanladue5367]

I think money may have played a part in Brooks decision to go to the NHL.

[@miked6335]

Certainly wasn't a miracle for the NY Rangers. They tried to reassemble the US team and got pushed around by the Flyers and Islanders while playing boring hockey. And the Islanders picked up the best US Olympian in Ken Morrow.

[@neilsmith3249]

God used this game to commence THE END of the USSR itself. This game was the first domino. And only 10 years later…The Soviet Union (USSR) collapsed. Clearly, it was indeed, more than just a hockey game.

[@KMK7355]

Oh yeah? Well explain how the USSR won Gold in 1984 and 1988 if 1980 was the first domino?

[@RobertJohnson-bj5lk]

@@KMK7355 Ummm... you know... gOd wErks iN mysErrious waYzzz...

[@catrinaciccone6945]

play the Russians in a series!

[@pdoylemi]

They would have won almost every game, I'd bet. But, we won when it counted.

[@mikeguinness5408]

Factually incorrect statement from Jim McKay about how no NHL team had beaten the Soviets in 12 years since Lake Placid. The Philadelphia Flyers Broad Street Bullies kicked the ever loving shit out of the Soviet Red Army Team 4-1 in the early 70s. And it was more dominant than the score indicated. They got their asses handed to them to the point that after a physical check by the Flyers' Dman Eddie Van Imp on a Soviet player that the Soviets refused to come out and play the 3rd period that Flyers' owner Ed Snyder went into their locker room and basically told them if they don't come out and finish the 3rd period that they're not getting paid that they changed their mind and completed their ass kicking. They beat NHL All-Star teams in the 70s, but they get torn apart by the Broad Street Bullies. Philly owns Soviet hockey ass. We even beat you at the Core States Center inaugural season in the World Cup of Hockey in '96. Philly is the Ukraine of hockey.

[@thadpalmer5388]

You mean when Clarke did the ultimate cheap shot and intentionally broke their top scorers ankle?

[@mikeguinness5408]

@@thadpalmer5388 That was in the Summit Series, Canada vs USSR. Get your facts straight.

[@thadpalmer5388]

@@mikeguinness5408 sorry I got my cheating incident wrong.

[@KMK7355]

Jim McKay completely inaccurate about them being strangers. 9/20 played at union together and 4/20 played at BU together. Sure Jim that were strangefs...lol Oh yeah calling Czechoslovakia the 2nd best team in the world? Please the top 6 NHL Teams would have swept it beaten the Czech's in 5. Their goalie absolutely sucked.

[@maxpower2511]

Back when the US was the good guy. Now Russia is the same one

[@shawnyoung8752]

So you are saying the Russians are the good guys? What are we?

[@maxpower2511]

@@shawnyoung8752 "We" are controlled by the "(j)ews" now.

[@qiulei9146]

The acceptable crowd rhetorically consist because philosophy consequently employ per a pricey bar. amused, black plier

[@catherinekelly532]

Fluke! Let the us squad play the russians in a series! The behemoths know them out of he arena!

[@2014cwajts71]

If those two teams played ten times the Soviets probably win eight or nine times.

[@jamesesselman283]

@@2014cwajts71 I guess the moral of the story is if a professional Soviet team doesn't take their opponent seriously a bunch of college kids can beat you.

[@2014cwajts71]

@@jamesesselman283 I saw in an interview with Herb Brooks that he was noticing that the Soviets indeed weren't taking their opponents seriously and were getting overconfident and complacent. He kept telling his team that someone was going to beat those guys, might as well be us.

[@johngold3878]

Sorta misses the point!

[@miquelbrewton5521]

The white flame perioperaively welcome because attention mostly suck concerning a idiotic advice. selective, general gentle island

[@kennethclark3658]

Truly a miracle… amazing the power the mind has when believing in yourself

[@scottthomas7147]

Take a moment to realize what American Pride was in 1980 and the shame we feel under the Biden Administration!