When a Bunch of College Hockey Kids Created a ‘Miracle’

[@robertosborne8694]

What many people forget/don’t realize is that this game did not win the gold medal for the US. They still had to beat the Finns two days later. The trailed 2-1 after two periods but scored 3 in the third, showing again the resiliency they had the entire tournament.

[@jasonanderson5034]

kazakhstan beating canada is a bigger uset this anit no miracle

[@excelsior3381]

The sad part is that because of the scoring system Finland didn’t even get a bronze medal

[@robertosborne8694]

@@excelsior3381 yes, this was before they went to knockout rounds to determine the medalists. The US / Finland game was not even the last game of the tournament, as the Soviets played the Swedes in was what essentially the silver medal game after the US clinched the Gold. I remember the medal ceremony when the US were in track suits while the other two teams were still in uniform

[@alatreon7451]

@@jasonanderson5034College kids vs talent that transcended the NHL with ease isn’t a miracle?

[@jasonanderson5034]

@@alatreon7451 no... not a all ...kazakhstan beat a more stacked team canada with the best playersin the world nobody calls that a miracle it wasnt just colleg kids their were nhl quality player son that team .... all kazakhstan had was nik antropov

[@xynv5715]

'Do you believe in miracles!?' gives me chills

[@airborngrmp1]

Al Michaels is the G.O.A.T. (I know that gets a little over-used these days) at color commentary. He's just so quick and sharp, and has an excellent sense of the high drama of sports not needing overreaction or excessive eloquence to convey.

[@shrekislove170]

I had a tournament in the Olympic Center where the game took place and Al Michaels's “Do you believe in miracles” quote was on the wall

[@TheRealCorkscrew]

I don't think there will be another moment in Olympic history that will make an entire country feel the pure *joy* of the last ten seconds of a game

[@RonBaker456]

I remember listening to this game on the radio as a 10 yr old kid. I lived only about 50 miles from Placid and was a big AHL fan. I still remember the tears rolling down my face as that famous Al Michaels call came over the airwaves and even at that young age I knew I had just witnessed history, whatever the result of the gold medal game, and the chant felt like it was close enough to hear.

[@GET2222]

I was the same age. No kid will every feel or understand a moment like that in their lives ever again. It was a rare moment in time and a rare moment in sports. The soviets nearly didn’t show up because of political pressure. Fucking unbelievable really. Al Michaels voice was not manufactured, it was in complete disbelief.

[@excelsior3381]

I visit Lake Placid every year and I always love seeing the old Olympic architecture on the drive in.

[@KMK7355]

Hey GET2222, What HS in Minnesota did you go to?

[@the1andonly759]

That USA chants give me goosebumps & I’m Canadian lol

[@1982kinger]

Interesting fact.... the movie Miracle was filmed in Vancouver and all the extras who chanted USA in the movie were canadian

[@stevencooke6451]

I'm Canadian too, but for 60 minutes I felt as American as I ever have.

[@prestonlindbeck1197]

@@1982kinger Bill Ranford was the on-ice extra goaltender for Jim Craig in Miracle.

[@Skarmy762]

Wait until you’re in West Virginia and hear the sound of a banjo playing in the distance.

[@GET2222]

@@1982kingernot all of the movie was shot there. I worked on the film and tried out as a player casted in Minnesota. They wanted hockey players they could coach to act, not coach to play. This is why the film was so damn good at creating the best moment in sports of the 20th century by sports illustrated.

[@jtk3023]

What is crazy is that in the final minutes the Soviets never pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. When asked later the Soviet players said they never practiced 6 on 5.

[@smalliebigs101]

I agree with that, always thought pulling the goalie was weird and just made it more vulnerable. All it takes is one of em to get into the open ice and it's game over

[@kitkat6782]

@@smalliebigs101While kind of true that’s not the reason the Soviets never practiced 6 on 5. They didn’t practice it because they’ve never been in that situation, which shows how dominant they were.

[@ThePuma1707]

@@smalliebigs101 If you're about to lose with one goal down, might as well risk it and get an extra player for an advantage and a better chance to equalize before the games end. In the end, it doesnt matter if you loose 0-1 or 0-2, for example

[@smalliebigs101]

@@ThePuma1707 Right but if the net is empty it makes it WAY easier to lose, which would be the team's fault because they were only down by one, which they very well could've came back from.

[@paulready8897]

I think their coach was like a deer in the headlights and just froze.

[@ArchIVEDCinema]

In college, at University of Wisconsin in Madison, I worked for the videoboard team for the athletic department. Mark Johnson (The guy who scored USA's second and 3rd goals in this game) coaches the women's hockey team there. (Who won the national championship 3 times during my time in college) I ran into him in the stadium tunnels a few times. He was always the nicest guy ever. One of my senior capstone advisors played highschool hockey (and won state) with Mark. He said Mark was the best friend ever and would constantly give advice to his teammates to make them better hockey players. Oh, and Mark also won a national championship for the Wisconsin Badgers as a player when he was in college. Mark Johnson is an absolute legend, and really makes the city of Madison and the state of Wisconsin proud!

[@KMK7355]

Hey Arch, Mark Johnson was part of the cadre of USA players born between 1955-58 that were actually better players than from USSR Myshkin, Pervukhin, Bilayaletidinov, Starikov, Fetisov, and Malaria were only players born in those years on 1980 USSR squad. There were 4 more players including Drodzdetsky added from that age group to the 1984 team. If you were to form a 1980 US Olympic Team from both pro and NCAA you would have had G- Baker - Craig D - Langway - Larson O'Connell - Morrow C - Howe - Johnson - Pavelich W - Fidler - Rowe - Holmgren- Jensen- Mullen - Miller - Gorence Christoff That group were all NCAA aged for the 1976-77 NCAA season which was when Johnson won his NCAA Title. Czechoslovakia only had Peter Stastny born between 1955-58 on the 1980 Czechoslovakia Olympic Team. Sweden had some very good forwards born between 1955-58 like Kent Nilsson, Thomas Gradin and Bent Ake Gustaffson but not much on D or in net. Beginning with the '55 birth years the US started producing talent better than everyone but Canada. What do you think about that!

[@alexanderangelo7284]

​@@KMK7355NERD.

[@westernfilet]

I was 10 at the time and jumped up and down in my living room. I recall going across the street to a small pond and pretending to play against each team USA built on that run. Amazing times. BTW, love this channel. My favorite hockey content.

[@SGBassplayer]

I don’t care what your favorite sport is, or what country you come from; there has never been a better job of coaching in a team sport by anyone other than Herb Brooks at Lake Placid during the 1980 Winter Olympics. I count myself blessed to have lived during this time as a 12-year old boy. What an amazing event and a beautiful memory. Thank you, Coach Brooks, Captain Eruzione, Jimmy Craig, and the sport of ice hockey in general.

[@jefferydavis4090]

No words to describe incredible that event was!!!!!! I was 12 yrs old and my Dad told me to sit by him an watch the game. He put his arm around me before it started and said son this is gonna be special. It was was!!!!!!! My whole family watched it!!!!!! It was a wonderful time!!!!! My favorite movie is MIRACLE.

[@kevinfry8371]

I get goose bumps and teary eyed every time i watch the miracle 40+ years later.......................

[@DugEphresh]

God bless those kids and that MIRACLE the made me and every American believe that DREAMs really can come TRUE!

[@jasonstarr6419]

I watched this game on TV live. It brought me to tears then and still does, everytime I see the last few minutes of the game and hear that line, "Do you believe in miracles?" My heart was ready to burst with pride for what our people and our country was/is/can be.

[@lookinforthe70s]

It's hard to explain what that experience was like. Watching team USA go through that tournament. I was going on 10 at the time. It was one of the greatest sports memories that had ever even hoped for. Much less watch it happen. Now that, was some strong home ice support. The U - S - A chants were legendary, you feel it all the way through your body, watching on tv.

[@dawnsempire8510]

1) this story gets retold a lot, and for good reason, but that compilation of photos you had coinciding with Al Michaels's call at the end was next level. it was like getting chills after experiencing the story for the first time again, even though this is probably the 1000th. 2) someone else already corrected you about the format of the medal round at the time, but in terms of its relevance to your channel name, Hockey Psychology, i don't think it matters for my next point: what a testament to that team that they could go through that game, which may as well have been a gold medal game for the impact it had on USA hockey and US-Soviet political ambitions, and still manage to finish the job by winning the next game. how often do we see teams and players have letdown games immediately after hugely emotional results, and these guys didn't let that happen.

[@hockeypsychology]

Great point. I wanted to touch on the final game after but I also wanted to keep the focus on the gravity on this one. For them to not let the pressure of doing all of that and then falling short get to them… is just as impressive as this very win.

[@shoebetya]

​@@hockeypsychology Summit series! and the Canada cup sorry boys...

[@mikepagliaro2123]

​@@shoebetyaYou still think you won the summit series 😅😅😅 get real...

[@shoebetya]

@@mikepagliaro2123 And you still think nobody beat the Russians before this 80s! How many times did the USA win the Canada cup? You know the tournament conceived to decide who was the best regarded of amateur status!

[@GET2222]

Let’s not forget, USA had to beat FINLAND for the GOLD. FINLAND was amazing hockey team. Team USA just became that good in basically 6 months of playing together. Brooks was a genius.

[@cyberblitzcal]

"A group of college kids from the states would have an opportunity to shock the world with a miracle..." Would you say that miracle was a miracle on ice?

[@davidslife989]

Yes!

[@lylegleason6844]

This was the GREATEST upset in any team sport in history! ANY TEAM, ANY SPORT, ANY ERA!!! And I defy anyone to prove me wrong!!! There was no reason those college kids should have beaten the Soviet juggernaut, the BEST hockey team in the World, on any level, yet they did! I cried then, and I'm crying now as I write this!

[@bauerj3398]

Perhaps biggest upset in terms of societal situation and impact (at least in America). Certainly not the biggest upset in regards to likelihood of it happening.

[@DarkLobster69]

@@bauerj3398name a less likely upset than this. When the news of the score reached Moscow, their citizens literally thought the paper was playing a prank on them. The Soviet people literally thought losing was impossible.

[@bauerj3398]

@@DarkLobster69 Leicester City winning the premiere league. Chaminade beating Virginia. Greece winning UEAFA.

[@ek2156]

GREAT VIDEO! I was 9 when I watched this game. I still rate it as the best sporting evening I have ever seen. What Herb Brooks did with that group of young men is still outstanding all these years later.

[@epifunny1]

Still brings tears to the eyes. Here's to you, Herb. You proved what you were made of and for all time. God Speed.

[@ArmenianMaps105]

"DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES" is so iconic now.

[@doubledrats235]

I was a college sophomore watching this game with a bunch of friends in a small dorm room on my friend’s 12” black and white portable TV. When the game ended we all started whooping and cheering. That was an incredible day.

[@carlosgarcia8770]

What a beautiful time. GOD Bless America.

[@TheNorthie]

The Soviet’s coach was absolutely livid about this loss. He gutted the team the following year and only a few young players remained including Slava Fetisov. Slava said a couple players even tried to kill the coach and had to be restrained. Fetisov would play with one of the players from the 1980s USA hockey team: Mike Ramsay. They would be on the Red Wings together until early into the 96-97 season when Ramsay retired, that was also the year the Wings won the cup.

[@RRaquello]

I think Tikhonov was pulling a power play in this game. Tretiak was the best known and most popular player on the Soviet team. He was the one Soviet player who was extremely popular even in Canada & the US. By benching Tretiak, he was determined to show he was the big man in Soviet hockey--not Tretiak. He was willing to do this even if he lost the game. He probably didn't expect to lose even with Mishkin in net, but by losing it gave him the power to clear out the old guys who had loyalties to past Soviet coaches and bring in his own choice of players.

[@TheNorthie]

@@RRaquello I don’t doubt that. They were pushed to their limits and they had enough. Tretiak seemed to have no hard feelings either way.

[@bbryant2485]

Here in Minnesota hockey is a religion. I can remember watching this with my family all of us on the edge of our seats. What fun.

[@Statsy10]

Couple of corrections to point out; the NHL's best didn't compete in either the Olympics or World Chamionships, so they didn't really play the top Soviets unless in a special series or tournament. You mentioned the Challenge Cup but not the '72 Summit Series where Canada's best played them and won. Same for '76 and most of the Canada Cups to follow in the 80's. Also, the reason the top Soviet players were allowed to play in the Olympics is actually because they had been conscripted into the army, thus technically making them "amateurs". It's one of the biggest cheats in sports history, to be honest.

[@mikesxoom]

Bobby Clarkes Ankle Tomahawk was all skill 🤣

[@Statsy10]

@@mikesxoom Can't disagree with you there. Canadian hockey players can get pretty dirty sometimes, especially when they're losing. I say this as a proud Canadian. 😂

[@robertjansson7968]

Soviet crushed Canada the first couple of games in 72'. The series change with Canada playing really dirty and got away with it. Even in 87' (best games ever in the history of hockey) there were some questionable calls. For example a tripping on the last deciding goal.

[@ivanpavlov9885]

I will make one addition to your comment (as a Russian). Top Soviet players weren't technically conscripted only into the army (CSKA was the sports division of the Soviet Union Armed Forces), but also into the police/militia (Dynamo Moscow was affilated by the Soviet Union Militia).

[@hockeyeverything4339]

With all due respect, in 72, Bobby Clarke committed, what us Canadian fans conveniently overlook, arguably one if the dirtiest plays in elite sport when he broke Kharlamovs ankle. The Flyers used the same tactics in 76. The Russians most likely would have won with Kharlamov, possibly the best player on Earth at the time, in the last 3 games. Canada/Russias greatest games were Canada Cup 87. Every game ended 6-5, and there was no BS on ice violence to decide it

[@stevenweishaupt8591]

I remember this game vividly. Every time i watch this video, i get goosebumps. RIP HERB BROOKS.

[@justinmiller5660]

The best sports call in history, hands down, not even close. "Do you believe in miracles... YES!"

[@PeachyPrince]

This story is what can I say other than a Miracle. You honestly can't top a hockey story like this one. Just a group of guys who gave it their all in a time where USA needed it. Over half of the team didn't even go on to play in the NHL. And then you have the man, the myth, the legend HERB.

[@Rkbmomma]

All but one or two had exemplary careers, hockey or not, after the Miracle on Ice, which is astonishing itself.

[@lessthanthreemetal]

I'm still amazed it happened at all. Almost the equivalent of a Junior B team beating an AHL team.

[@GET2222]

These guys were not even the best players in college. Ramsey never played a single game at the U for the gophers until halfway through his senior year. I know him and we have talked about all sorts of undocumented moments leading to the selection of the USA HOCKEY team. At the end of the Gopher season, Ramsey gets told by brooks to tryout for the team USA. Ramsey laughed… Ramsey followed brooks agenda and that’s why he was picked. He was no where near ready to play any hockey beyond college, but Brooks awarded him with a moment and he took it.

[@gregcorwin8316]

@@GET2222 Keeping in mind that he did play 1070 games in the NHL after winning the gold....thinking he was ready. Good call by Brooks

[@Rkbmomma]

​@@GET2222Ramsey was only 19 y.o. at the time, I thought. He did well as a pro.

[@KMK7355]

GET2222, By the end of the Frozen Four Ramsey was named to the NCAA All Tourney Team and was immediately after named to the USA World Tourney Team that included half the 1980 US Olympic Team and NHL Players. Further he was going to be a 1st Round pick in the draft. He had a strong resume before Colorado Springs.

[@KMK7355]

GET2222, I think its much more accurate to say they were not the absolute top 18 players taken from the player pool who graduated HS between 1975-78. They were with maybe one exception the top players remaining from the pool who hadn't turned pro. Meaning players such as Rod Langway, Joe Mullen, Tom Gorence, Mike McDougal, Chris Nilan, Gord Roberts, Steve Baker and Richie Dunn had already turned pro. Brooks picked the best of the rest.

[@burno7799]

These videos with the pause then the story and then the moment are fantastic. Great job!

[@AkoladeYT]

the call, the emotions on the ice, the chanting, goosebumps

[@ThomasBryant]

Definitely one of the greatest sporting events

[@GET2222]

No… it’s the best. Nothing competes at a global scale. Geopolitics chess move by the Soviet’s that backfired and the world rejoiced. No championship in any sport has the clout of this moment in sports. The NHLs best from multiple countries could not beat these guys in a series and a bunch of college kids, some who never went on the play pro, beat the best team in the world that had not lost a gold medal in 20 years of Olympic play. Their goaltender Vladimir tretiak career GAA was 1.78. I know tretiak, he coached my brother in the early 90s. Nothing compares to this moment in time and the game that they happened to be playing was hockey. No disrespect to any other sport, but this will never happen again. Brooks would not even allow interviews. Never happens again.

[@jasonanderson5034]

no its not even close it wasnt even a best on best competition ... kazakhstan beating canad ais bigger then this yet nobody talks about it cause they didnt win gold its one game gold medal or not its the same its a win

[@reneewilson1753]

That shot always gives me goose bumps. I remember where I was at, what we were doing as a family. It was a huge build up and we were so excited!!!❤

[@GET2222]

Mike Eruzione was “the shot heard around the world” Unbelievable.

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes its a moment I'll never forget. Great memories back then.

[@AlexanderLefort]

I remember listening to this game on the radio as a 10 yr old kid. I lived only about 50 miles from Placid and was a big AHL fan. I still remember the tears rolling down my face as that famous Al Michaels call came over the airwaves and even at that young age I knew I had just witnessed history, whatever the result of the gold medal game, and the chant felt like it was close enough to hear.

[@dennisswanson8791]

I still get emotional after all these years !!! That's when being an American meant something, we all had pride in our country. I sure miss those days !!!

[@JeremyWashington1489]

These are my favorite videos on your channel: the ones about previous seasons and years. You’re great at laying out historical context, analyzing plays and, and conveying the stakes. They’re always the most fun and emotional videos and make me love this sport even more. Also, the Leafs parade is cancelled again.

[@lauradrennan7438]

Ps. Coach Herb was the right man for the right time. Thanks Herb

[@edenisburning]

You have an incredible knack for storytelling.

[@hockeypsychology]

Thanks for watching!

[@YT-qj8nn]

It's crazy but my memory of it still gives me chills. I remember where I was standing when I got the news. IIRC my hopes for victory rested upon Mark Johnson & Ken Morrow, two of Team USA's best players. I worked near Rob McClanahan at Bear Stearns in 1987. He brought his gold medal to the office one day & we all went ga-ga. He was a gentleman & a stud. The ladies swooned over him. I once played rat-hockey with him and his brother and their posse. No one on the ice could keep up with either of them, but it was unforgettable, great fun.

[@Dbobcol]

Scrolled some through the comments some and noticed no one brought this up. But in ‘76 the Soviets played in an NHL exhibition series. The last team they played were the current Stanley cup champion Flyers. The Broadstreet Bullies were the only team of the NHL to actually beat the soviets and they did through physically dominant play and possession of the puck. I think it’s fair to say that this exhibition game was what exposed the soviets weakness to physical play that Herb Brooks used on them in the Miracle.

[@jakegoldrich4847]

Nice recap. People often forget this was only the semifinal game, and the USA still had to (and did) beat Finland to win gold

[@KMK7355]

There was no Semifinal or Final Game. The top 2 teams bought the points against the other pool opponent into the final 2 games. So the USSR wasn't eliminated after losing to USA.

[@VintageTealDog]

It was the first hockey game I ever watched … I was 7 at the time … I’ve been obsessed with hockey ever since 🏒👍

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes same with me it inspired me to start playing hockey as a kid.

[@audionovisual]

You produce great content. I got shivers at the end of this one. Thank you!

[@frankrizzo4460]

I remember I was eight years old and I just got home from school, and my Mom had this game on the tv. We watched the whole game together and couldn't believe what we saw. Such a outstanding effort from a bunch of youngsters who weren't supposed to win. This actually inspired me to start playing hockey back then and I never stopped. One of the greatest sports moments in history and a great memory of being with my Mom watching it together. 🏒🇺🇸

[@kenbridgeman8590]

Man that was awesome. Thank you.

[@crazypfc777]

The funny thing about the Norway game is that hockey fans still remember it. My 8th grade soccer coach "Herbied" us for nearly an hour after losing our first out of division game

[@tommyhunter1817]

Simply the greatest game of any sport I ever saw. I was a ten year old boy at the time, convinced the Soviets could destroy us at every turn. Then this happened. Then we got Ronald Reagan.

[@Russell_Huston]

It might seem to some that all the talk about the USA being in a funk, and that this was the beginning of the country turning the corner toward brighter days is overblown, but I remember that time vividly, and it really was like that. I had seen NHL games from time to time on Sunday afternoons, but nothing like this. Made me a puck fan for life. I even took up the game in my 20's when I could afford to play it. I was never very good, but it's the most fun game I have ever played. USA...USA...USA!

[@CarPig]

I just got chills. Great video.

[@cynthiastines8918]

Most of those kids went on to have very good NHL careers, and Ken Morrow not only won a 🥇 medal for Team USA, but he went on to win 4 Stanley Cups with the NY Islanders.

[@greg-wl2rd]

There’s a book written about this team: the boys of winter. Actually explains the movie plot where he selected the entire team day 1 was not true. They held the full tryouts

[@GET2222]

He held the full tryout, but he knew the team he wanted on the first day. Brooks consulted on set on the film. I was there. I worked on the film.

[@KMK7355]

GET 2222, Injuries happen and could have happened to anyone Brooks had planned to name in The US Olympic Festival. It happened to Ralph Cox later. He had a keg injury before the Olympics and it cost him a spot which went to Mark Wells.

[@18wheeler76]

I played in a tournament on this rink in 1992 and scored a goal from outside the blueline on a slap shot over the goalies shoulder.what an amazing memory

[@potterrenovations5124]

Thanks for putting this together. Well done.

[@grandtom3818]

love the brook's quotes u interlaced into the script ;)

[@bryanmlally]

I still get choked up every time I hear Al Michaels say "Do you believe in miracles? YES!"

[@2darktwoC]

Short and sweet, what a great video!

[@boxman7044]

This and ‘Tyson Vs Douglas’ are probably the two craziest upsets in sports history and they both are mind boggling to watch

[@timothyeaton6986]

I am old enough to have watched Neil Armstrong walk live on the moon. Watching this (not live because, for those who know, it was on delay) is in second place. Tears fall every time.

[@RobotShlomo]

I remember watching this game with my parents and older brother it like it was yesterday. ABC had asked that the start time be moved to prime time so more people could watch it, but the IOC said no and so the game was shown on tape delay. We were all doing our best to avoid hearing the score all day long. It truly was a miracle. And if I close my eyes and listen, I can still hear the chants of "USA... USA... USA..."

[@garrettskelton4385]

Best sporting moment in history imo!! I’m crying again

[@jasonanderson5034]

not even close is the whol world american stfu the majority hates u by deafult your statement is false

[@earlshannon1048]

Greatest game in hockey history I'll never forget it this game I was 24 yrs old and it was like yesterday God bless our Greatest team ever!!! And God bless the late great Herb Brooks!!!❤

[@timeflysss]

I walked through the underbelly of the lake placid arena after the game and ran right into all of the soviet team bags sticks and gear. Being an American, I viewed it with the wide eyes of a 17 year old hockey fanatic, and continued on my way. The entire month of Feb 1980 was one that I will never forget. Credits go to Northwood School for my room, Gold Medal Sandwich Shop for my daily wages and Cheesesteak Hoagies and the Sassafras Lounge for the Foosball table and the endless Molson Reds, what an experience it was!!!

[@Qpitmaster]

What I find interesting is that Soviet team standing as a group on the other side of the rink just watching Team USA celebrate. They respected the team.

[@Hihohiho56]

I still get chills and am soooo Proud!!

[@metalmarty3948]

Imagine the instant regret from the soviet coach pulling one of the greatest goalies of all time and then losing.

[@KMK7355]

MYSHKIN SHUTOUT The NHL All Star team, one year earlier in the DECIDING GAME of The Challenge Cup. Maybe if Myshkin started the USA Game the US losses?

[@PJ.Rob06]

​@@KMK7355maybe you don't know what you're talking about

[@KMK7355]

Tretiak gave up 4 goals to the US in the 1978 Worlds in the first 30 minutes and game was tied 4-4. Soviets eventually won 9-5. Mark Johnson and Ken Morrow were on that US Team in 1978. Two years later in 1980 Tretiak surrenders 2 goals in 20 minutes and is pulled. So the supposed greatest goalie gives up 7 goals in two periods in 1978 and 1980 and your telling me I don't know what I am talking about? Lol, ok clown.

[@KMK7355]

Four periods, not two.

[@PJ.Rob06]

@@KMK7355 were you involved with the 1980 Soviet hockey team? I didn't think so. You should probably stop going around trying to start arguments that shouldn't concern you at all. That game was fucking 44 years ago for Christ sake

[@Definitely8860]

I watched the Miracle on Ice with my Dad in 1980, it was the greatest game of any sport I've ever seen, even true to this day.

[@Rammer6719]

I was standing in a corner in a USA vs Canada ex game and was wearing my new saints hockey jacket and surprisingly got a couple nods by the USA players in a warmup against Canada that the USA won 6-5. Became a fan as they did the unthinkable. Best underdog story in hockey of all time. Kudos to that team 👏

[@ElPresidente_2087]

9:11 the utter look of disbelief on his face always got me.

[@michaelcollins5819]

This isn’t the most unlikely upset in hockey history, it’s the most unbelievable win in all of sport

[@edwardloomis887]

Herb Brooks was the last player cut from the 1960 U.S. team that won the Americans' last Olympic hockey gold medal and witnessed how Jack Riley built his team. Riley was from Massachusetts and could have picked a bunch of east coast guys but included some Minnesotans like the Christian brothers. Having won multiple national championships, Herb could have leaned on Minnesota and Wisconsin players, but his captain was Mike Eruzione and top goalie Jim Craig, both from Boston University.

[@gregcorwin8316]

The 1960 squad skated 8 players were from Minnesota, 6 from Mass, 2 from Michigan and one from Conn. The 1980 team had 12 from Minn (9 from U of MN had played for Brooks), 4 Mass, 2 Wisco, and 2 from Mich. Since you mention the Roger and Billy Christian, brothers from the 1960 team, Roger led the 1960 team in goals with 7, plus 2 assists, while Billy lead the team in assists with 7, plus 2 goals. Billy's son Dave Christian played on the 1980 team and lead that team in assists with 8. Billy's grandson (Dave's nephew), is Brock Nelson who plays for the Islanders. The Christian family hails from Warroad MN, a town of 1800 people, that has produced 5 NHL players, 7 Olympians, and over 85 division 1 college players.

[@KMK7355]

Had players not turned pro early the # of Minnesotans would have been reduced to 7 (Ramsey, Pavelich, Broten, Christian Christoff, McClanahan, and Strobel) Massachusetts players increased to 8 (Baker, Craig, Langway, Dunn, O'Callahan, Silk, Cox, Nilan). People forget Cox had an ankle injury that compromised his skating and cost him his spot. He was a better player than Schneider, Eruzione, and Harrington. In fact that injury hurt him his entire career. Michigan would have had 3 players (Morrow, Roberts, McDougal), New York(Mullen) and Wisconsin (Johnson) one each. So in hindsight, talent wise no Craig in net, Baker and Eggs I one or another words no Gold Medal...lol.

[@jironthunder7519]

I was 10 when they did it. 40+ years later it still hits me where I live!!! 🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲

[@buckfan1969]

In my 70's and there have been 3 athletic achievements in my life that stand above all the rest: Secretariat winning Belmont by 31 lengths, Nicklaus winning the Masters at age 46, and the Miracle on Ice.

[@buddygreen7053]

If you didn’t watch this game live you can’t possibly know how important it was to people.

[@jasonmagyar9155]

Only the people in the arena saw it live. It wasn't broadcast live on tv. The game was replayed in prime time in the US

[@KMK7355]

Jason, It was broadcast lice in Canada. Plenty of people who had cable in border cities watched it live.

[@md20062]

@@KMK7355and what about all the other americans who didn’t live in border cities? lmao that’s a lot of people

[@matthewhanf3033]

While my father and grandfather were heavily invested in hockey, my grandmother did not. She was one who just wanted the team to "beat those soviet bastards".

[@Bunnyymann]

I played youth hockey back in 80...... what an amazing time. My position was left defense.......and penalty box 😂

[@danbratten3103]

Hockey Psychology doing a video about the Miracle on Ice team coached by Minnesota legend Herb Brooks. And Herb Brooks' degree from the University of Minnesota......... psychology. Coincidence 🤔 Great video! Also, years ago I got the opportunity to meet Miracle on Ice player Neal Broten, one of my heros as a kid watching the Northstars at the Met Center. He had his Olympic gold medal on display while signing autographs. 👍🏻

[@BrandonViani]

it’s the legend and story of this matchup which got me in to hockey.

[@michaelmiller5877]

I remember the exact place where I watched, what we later learned was tape delayed, the game. I was a senior in high school and no matter how many times I watch Eurzione's slap shot, I get welled up with tears! It was turbulent times, it was an emotional night.

[@SnackPack913]

I feel like anything was possible for Americans back in the 80s.. what a time to be alive during that time. I wish I was born back then instead of being in my 20s now. This country has gotten weak and we don’t have much to be proud of anymore, we need to get out there and earn it again.

[@larryd9549]

I remember watching game as a 15 year old. I played lots of rod-hockey indoors (way before video games) and street hockey outside at the park (no ice where I lived). They game was played at 5PM on Friday night, but not broadcasted until 8PM EST. The game was already over when the telecast came on, but they kept the final score a secret. Never would have happened in the internet age. If you didn't live through the 80's, you can't understand the geopolitical implications of this game. The USSR invaded Afghanistan in late '79, the US would boycott the 1980 Summer games in Moscow. The USSR would in turn boycott the 1984 Summer games in LA. The threat of a nuclear holocaust was many people's minds. What a time to be alive.

[@icecoldpolitics8890]

For anyone who doesn’t know Cake Eater refers to someone from Edina Minnesota a very wealthy area in the Twin Cities. Everybody who isn’t a Cake Eater hates the Cake Eaters so your coach going after you for it is a pretty deep slight.

[@colinsteadland]

You can throw Minnetonka and Eden Prairie in there too

[@KMK7355]

I'm from Massachusetts and took my son out to play Bantam and HS Teams from 1999 thru 2002. Played Bantam White Bear Lake, Edina, Minneapolis SW and Centennial. Played HS, St. Louis Park and Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, Elk River, Duluth East and Blake School. The last three were part of The Blake School Jamboree, November 2002, my sons Senior Year. His Public School Team were in the Massachusetts Super 8 the prior year. Edina is a fantastic hockey community.

[@OGclasshole]

Al Michael's "Do you believe in Miracles? YES!" Top 3 calls of all time, and it aint 2 or 3

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

For me, this was the greatest sports achievement/moment in my life. People who weren't alive or old enough to remember the world situation at that time may not see it that way but U.S. morale was at an all-time low. Our economy was in the tank, Iran was holding our citizens as hostages, Jimmy Carter was seen as weak at home and abroad, and the sting of Vietnam and Watergate was still fresh in the American conscience. Then the Soviets invade Afghanistan, basically giving Carter and the rest of us the finger. A decade of détente had allowed them to pull ahead while we sat on our collective ass in the 70s, snorting lines of coke, dancing to disco, and adopting an all for-one-and-all-for-I-me-mine mindset. We had gone from the guys who put a man on the Moon to the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Then these kids come along out of the blue and they start winning hockey games. When the games started everyone thought it was a given that they would get their asses handed to them in the medal round if they made it that far but, to borrow from the Lord of the Rings: "Something happened that the ring did not expect." The team was winning and a sense of destiny started to develop. People who didn't give a rip about hockey before or after became intrigued when it was announced they would play the Soviets. It had nothing to do with hockey and everything to do with getting our pride back and sticking it to those commie SOB's. Still, it was such a long-shot that the game was played in the afternoon and replayed on tape delay. But that didn't bother us. We knew they had won but a bunch of us went to the sports bar, which was packed with like-minded people, all the same. It was wild. When it was all said and done the celebration erupted into the street. Cars were honking horns, drunks were hugging instead of fighting, and everybody got laid (okay, that last bit is made-up). It was the spark that started the turn around of the 1980s. These kids showed us it was possible to tell the bullies to f-themselves and hold our heads high. It sounds over stated, and some might see it that way, but ya had to be there. For one night we were Secretariat at the Belmont, lapping the field and doing the impossible. There is a very good documentary on the Russian hockey team called Red Army. Slava Fetisov is featured heavily along with other players from that time like Vladislav Tretiak and when you hear first-hand from them what a total prick their coach Victor Tikhonov was it makes that win even sweeter. The Russians admitted they took the young Americans way too lightly and they could tell right away the game meant more to them, but their arrogance wouldn't let them believe they might actually lose until it was too late. What a team, what a night. Yeah, I'm a fan, but like I said, ya had to be there.

[@WR2079]

These days Herb Brooks would be driven out of the game for "bullying."

[@jeremymacdonald5584]

Likely not. His players respected him. That's why torts isn't blacklisted.

[@seansibley9272]

hockey coaches are still like this lmao

[@El_Bueno]

Thanks. I watched Miracle already.

[@qkeith5071]

Matk Pavelich had 2 assists in that game, his hard work set up Eurizone, never talked about

[@DantesTyphoon]

The 1960 US gold story is also spectacular

[@DFS_Today]

I usually casually watch vids and rarely comment and sub but i just gotta say your channel is one of the best I’ve come across. Just subbed and wanna say keep it up. Learning so much watching your channel and your topics are very entertaining

[@biglakepress5788]

Simply the greatest game I've ever watched in any sport!

[@garyelder4610]

I have never seen a sporting event with so much support from the whole country

[@NeverlandSystemPixie]

That is perhaps the greatest win of ALL TIME -- NO bigger underdog than Team USA vs the Soviets

[@lauradrennan7438]

Greatest sporting event of the US. I was 13 going on 14. Yelling at the TV with my Dad.

[@phcusnret]

Oh, you mean back when the Olympics actually meant something, before we started sending professional athletes.

[@euclideszoto997]

As a Devils fan Fetisov and Kasatanov came into the NHL and Fetisov said they seriously underestimated the USA. Fetisov said that the scrimmage before the Olympics ( even though they won 10-3 ) the USA was very strong and competitive and the score was deceitful and Fetisov warned the team to be wary of them. Kasatanov said we can beat these guys drunk. And that's what several of the Russian players did the night before the game. Fetisov and Kasatanov even though they played on the Devils despised each other and it was because of that. Fetisov also said it was a serious psychological mistake to take out the goaltender in the first period. The Russians lost the psychological edge and Fetisov knew it.

[@KMK7355]

Fetisov was 21, Kasatonov 20 and Starikov 21. I doubt VERY MUCH Fetisov was telling Tretiak, Vasiliev Mikhialov or Kharlamov what to look out for...lol The USSR D Corp was shockingly young. In fact Starikov lost the puck in his skates on the 3-3 goal.

[@euclideszoto997]

@@KMK7355 He did. Just like your laughing at Fetisov now they probably did also. They are the best in the world. Nobody needs to tell us anything. We'll guess what happened. Laugh at those pros you just mentioned on the Soviet team cause they got humbled. You just made Fetisovs story more legitimate. Why believe a 21 year old kid.

[@KMK7355]

Fetisov was a 21 year old kid. There is a pecking order on all teams and if you think Fetisov was pulling rank on a guy like Vasiliev you need your head examined.

[@euclideszoto997]

@@KMK7355 I don't believe he pulled rank. I believe when he told his story he gave his input after that exhibition in MSG. I don't need my head examined. When your full of yourself and your the best in the world you think you can't learn nothing new. You become oblivious. Fetisov saw something that day in the USA and in my opinion Kasatanov sided with the Superstars and maybe even laughed at Fetisov...who knows? The coach of the Soviet team was known to be a strict Disciplined coach who took nothing for granted so it's surprising the Soviets weren't at least aware since the coach wasn't like that. They probably did get drunk the night before without the coach knowing it.

[@KMK7355]

The Soviets were overconfident playing inferior opponents and it cost them with sloppy play like that goal Tretiak coughed up.

[@kujo5998]

Best line in Miracle… “You score a goal on Trityach, KEEP THE PUCK…”

[@jamesmir89]

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?! Easily one of the best calls ever.

[@SuperLooneyrooney]

I remember it well. I was 14 and was already was familiar with alot of the MN players living in MN and going to Gophers game frequently. Another thing about this game was that it was not aired live - it was played in the afternoon and my buddies and I were playing a pick up game outside and had the radio on listening to the game

[@garyelder4610]

What’s odd is that Herb Brookes used a hard ass approach to motivate his team. The Russians had a player friendly coach (whose attitude was, “Hockey should be fun”) who the players all loved and switched to a hardass coach who the players hated and eventually led to the end of USSR hockey

[@DetroitLions59]

I was 15 in 1980, this is the single greatest USA 🇺🇸 sports victory ever!

[@chaunezkalk9822]

Will and determination. Takes,lots. Absolutely!

[@foxbtc4315]

I have family members who played on this team, and my grandmother went out with one of the players on this team, too, this is honestly the reason why I don't give up and I believe in miracles by the grace of God