USA vs Russia (USSR - Soviet Union) 1980 Olympics Hockey - Full Game Miracle on Ice
Miracle on Ice hockey game from the 1980 Olympics from Lake Placid, USA. USA vs Soviet Union.
TEAM USA Roster
No. Pos. Name / Age / Hometown / College
30 G Jim Craig / 21 / North Easton, MA / Boston U.
3 D Ken Morrow / 22 / Flint, MI / Bowling Green
5 D Mike Ramsey / 19 / Minneapolis, MN / Minnesota
10 C Mark Johnson / 22 / Madison, WI / Wisconsin
24 LW Rob McClanahan / 22 / Saint Paul, MN / Minnesota
8 RW Dave Silk / 21 / Scituate, MA / Boston U.
6 D Bill Baker (A) / 22 / Grand Rapids, MN / Minnesota
9 C Neal Broten / 20 / Roseau, MN / Minnesota
23 D Dave Christian / 20 / Warroad, MN / North Dakota
11 RW Steve Christoff / 21 / Richfield, MN / Minnesota
21 LW Mike Eruzione (C) / 25 / Winthrop, MA / Boston U.
28 RW John Harrington / 22 / Virginia, MN / Minnesota-Duluth
1 G Steve Janaszak / 22 / Saint Paul, MN / Minnesota
17 D Jack O'Callahan / 22 / Charlestown, MA / Boston U.
16 C Mark Pavelich / 21 / Eveleth, MN / Minnesota-Duluth
25 LW Buzz Schneider / 25 / Grand Rapids, MN / Minnesota
19 RW Eric Strobel / 21 / Rochester, MN / Minnesota
20 D Bob Suter / 22 / Madison, WI / Wisconsin
27 LW Phil Verchota / 22 / Duluth, MN / Minnesota
15 C Mark Wells / 21 / St. Clair Shores, MI / Bowling Green
TEAM SOVIET UNION Roster
No. Pos. Name / Age / Hometown
20 G Vladislav Tretiak / 27 / Orudyevo, Moscow Oblast, Russia
2 D Viacheslav Fetisov / 21 / Moscow, Russia
7 D Alexei Kasatonov / 20 / Leningrad, Russia
16 C Vladimir Petrov / 32 / Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia
17 LW Valeri Kharlamov / 32 / Moscow, Russia
13 RW Boris Mikhailov (C) / 35 / Moscow, Russia
19 RW Helmuts Balderis / 27 / Riga, Latvia
14 D Zinetula Bilyaletdinov / 24 / Moscow, Russia
23 RW Aleksandr Golikov / 27 / Penza, Russia
25 C Vladimir Golikov / 25 / Penza, Russia
9 LW Vladimir Krutov / 19 / Moscow, Russia
11 RW Yuri Lebedev / 28 / Moscow, Russia
24 RW Sergei Makarov / 21 / Chelyabinsk, Russia
10 C/RW Aleksandr Maltsev / 30 / Kirovo-Chepetsk, Russia
1 G Vladimir Myshkin / 24 / Kirovo-Chepetsk, Russia
5 D Vasili Pervukhin / 24 / Penza, Russia
26 LW Aleksandr Skvortsov / 25 / Gorky, Russia
12 D Sergei Starikov / 21 / Chelyabinsk, Russia
6 D Valeri Vasiliev (A) / 30 / Gorky, Russia
22 C Viktor Zhluktov / 26 / Inta, Russia
"Do you believe in miracles? YES!" That line will forever go down in history beside this amazing game.
Michaels' call will go down in history, and rightfully so, but what is lost is Ken Dryden saying just before, 'it's over', and just after, 'unbelievable'
Greatest call of all time
@@mattpatrick6674Dryden really should’ve kept his mouth shut. It’s much better if he doesn’t open his yap.
Financially poor pro Russia hockey players (they all had fake gold Olympic medals) were paid lots of US dollars to lose a close one. Miracles don't happen. Rigged sporting events happen every day.
@@mattpatrick6674 The call that put Al Michaels on the map, and delivered him a long and distinguished career. A career which continued with other great calls, even if they would never match this one. Michaels only got this game because he was the only person on staff who had ever called a hockey game before, and boy if he didn't capitalize.
Ya' know? You have to respect the Soviet team for waiting patiently for the celebration to die down and shaking hands with the US team afterwards. They showed class, good sportsmanship and respect.
Surprisingly they did but I’m sure they were stunned as well
I said the same thing. I wish our world was at peace. So we could enjoy playing the best teams like the Big Bear.
And subsequently being fired afterwards (Except for the Russian Five)
They were sportsmen. I think I also saw their admiration for the joy and celebration that the USA team and fans enjoyed. I wonder if they ever felt that level of celebration.
@@PriscanHistory91 Only Fetisov was on the team
Nice to see a hockey rink with no ads
Get more with Grammarly!
THERE ARE NEVER AT THE OLYMPICS
@@dwightsturtevant3169 Get more with Grammarly!
THe most legendary hockey game in Olympic history!
Agreed
Was one of privileged fans to have been at that game! My mother scored 2 tickets that morning! So tense in the beginning, but as the game wore on you could feel the belief start to build and when Eruzione scored the eventual game winner the arena erupted! I still experience some of those feelings every time I rewatch this game! Bless you boys and bless you Mom!!
Too cool! You're so lucky! What a great day in American history.
I had the good fortune of meeting Bill Baker at a hockey game about 11 years back, and we talked about the game vs the Soviets. He remembered despite the arena being rather on the small side, the noise was incredible. He said that when 'Rizzo' scored the go-ahead goal, the place went absolutely bonkers!
James, that is amazing. Many people think this game changed America-- our entire history of America--- for the better. What a memory you will never forget.
I was there as well. What a memory.
So everytime I watch this, and I get to the end of the game, I find myself thinking "Damn, I hope the Soviets don't score". And they never do!
came close with one off the iron!
Same here…
Jim Craigs 3rd period performance was one of, if not the best performance I've seen from a goalie in the Olympics or pros. Especially considering that Team USA was outshot 39-16, after taking the lead Craig slammed the door on the Soviets.
Team U.S.A. in this 1980 Olympic hockey game was not out of the woods when they scored their 4th goal -AND had around 10 more minutes to go in the period - It was a thriller and proves that not only were Team U.S.A. good on offense but also good on defense too !
I was eighteen, and fixing to graduate. HIGH SCHOOL I never missed watching the Olympics, winter, and summer. It was pandemonium that evening. I was so proud to be an American 🇺🇲
There will never be a better sports moment in history...period!
G
As a "soccer" fan I can tell that there are really amazing moments in FIFA world cups etc, too, ones of underdogs winning against all odds, but this one is unique because of context.
Nadia Commenici
Where's my Fathaa?
Australia II in 1987 comes to mind
I was like 6 yrs old and allowed to stay up to watch...most amazing time in my life
Didn't need the glowing puck guide back then, it's cool, but we knew how to watch hockey
When people criticize Al Michaels these days for not being as vibrant as he used to be because of his age, it is downright fu-ng disrespectful and ignorant. That guy was and still is the most iconic sportscaster of all time. I mean, the movie about this event has his line in the title.
I’m a 53 years old sports fan who has been watching everything since I was a little kid. This is still the greatest sports moment I’ve ever seen…I remember it like yesterday watching with my family at home. We were all jumping up and down like we were at the arena. lol. And that iconic line from Al Michaels sums it all up…”Do you believe in miracles?? YES!!” Still gives me chills watching it! :)
Soviets: lose to the definition of an underdog team Also Soviets: waiting to shake the hands of the winners
I'll always respect the Soviet team for showing class and respect by waiting for the celebration to end and shake hands with the US team. They showed class that night.
They showed a ton of class that night. After all, they were still really good, and deserve a ton of recognition independent of this game.
That had to be the longest final 10 minutes of any game in the history of all sports
Yes indeed - - a nail biter - - but our 1980 Olympic TEAM U.S.A. proved that they were not only good on scoring goals BUT also good at defense too by holding off the russians ! !
I don't agree. As a Soviet kid back then I would say these were the fastest 10 minutes. I vividly remember when I saw 4:00, then 2:00 I thought to myself “Some American clerk is cheating speeding up time on the scoreboard”
One of the most beautiful shared moments my sister & I ever experienced.
It's difficult to defeat somebody who never gives up. I'm not from USA, but I admire strong minds and spirits; wherever they are.
ABC or whoever ought to go back to the archive and collect all the camera footage of this game and restore it properly. They would make their dough back on February 22 every year by re-airing the game or selling digital copies of it. I don't know how it hasn't happened yet.
That's not the film that's the TV it was on.
The game wasnt broadcast live and my brother and I were watching tv when they broke in with a Special Report just after the game ended saying the US just defeated the Soviet Union and we jumped into each other's arms and screamed our heads off in jubilation. My parents came home about 30 minutes later from the store and they had heard the news on the radio and driving through the neighborhood they could see people standing outside celebrating. I'll never forget it as long as I live.
That's great stuff.
It was broadcast live...in Canada. ABC didn't want to disrupt their schedule of afternoon soap operas. The only Americans who saw the game live were those who could pick up the CTV feed from Canada.
In retrospect I see that I was a happy kid to watch this game live in Germany. As I remember at 11p.m. local time. And it wasn't this ABC picture. It was CTV with German commentator. My parents went to sleep after first period but I saw it through till the end. The strange thing is that in USA and USSR the game was shown in tape delay.
@@Lava1964It was actually the news ABC didn’t want to preempt as the game started shortly after 5 PM ET
I remember this game like it was yesterday. I was 8 years old in a airport after Eruizioni scored the game go ahead goal the place went totally silent for the last 10 minutes untill we won. Freaking awesome. Biggest upset in sports history.
What's crazy is as electrifying this game was in its time, the two best teams in the world would both get smoked in today's game. Just how far this game has advanced
Watching on the 4th of July 2023
I cry thinking about this game. These men worked so hard to win and they did it.
Good to see that Jaime Farr enjoyed the game🙂
I watched this as a college student live on a Canadian cable channel in Grand Forks, ND. Gives me chills every time I rewatch.
👍🇺🇲
The most incredible moment I experienced in sports. My wife and I were entertaining a business client of mine and we missed that game that evening, as when we returned home, we Harare the news on television, and I just had to dine a replay of that incredible game. That was 43 years ago, and to this day, it still fills me with joy and brings tears to my eyes! The American Way: underdogs!
This is the greatest story in sports history.
I was a high school freshman and for weeks after the olympics i rode my bike home from school at lunch every day watch recorded highlights on our family's now ancient, then-newfangled device known as the VCR.
I was born 6 months and 11 days after The Miracle On Ice!.. On September 2nd 1980, I wish I was old enough to watch it back then! I got "Rizzo" Autograph of him after he scored the game winner though!
*GOALS* *1st period* 14:04 Vladimir Krutov: USA 0-1 USSR (9:12 game clock) 20:38 Buzz Schneider: USA 1-1 USSR (14:03 game clock) 26:44 Sergei Makarov: USA 1-2 USSR (17:34 game clock) 30:20 Mark Johnson: USA 2-2 USSR (19:59 game clock) *2nd Period* 37:55 Aleksandr Maltsev: USA 2-3 USSR (2:18 game clock) (PP) *3rd Period* 1:23:30 Mark Johnson: USA 3-3 USSR (8:39 game clock) (PP) 1:26:47 Mike Eruzione: USA 4-3 USSR (10:00 game clock) BONUS - 1:45:45 final minute of the game + famous "DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!!" call Greatest game of any sport in history. Unbelievable.
In the top 5, or even 3, of the most iconic moments in US sports history. 🇺🇸
Its #1 no question.
It’s number one. Nothing could beat this. Not Dos a Cero or any Super Bowl/NBA final
Great play by play call at the end, but even better was how they were silent the next few minutes and let the natural sound tell the story.
Had to come back to watch and listen to that third period again… Never in my life have I been on the edge of my seat like this game… the last eight minutes were so excruciating…. 😭😭😭… More than just a hockey game ….
Several ABC announcers turned down the '80 OWG ice hockey lead broadcaster assignment, Al took it and never looked back.
Wow I got the movie miracle best movie ever. But to actually watch the real match of miracle on ice here on KZhead this is priceless thank you for putting this up.
This game enjoined me to the game of hockey at the age of 7 and I have never looked back. What a game to witness.
yes
n 1980 Minnesota boys dominated college hockey. I consider the Olympic team as not only ‘team USA’ but also ‘team Minnesota’. Twelve of the 20 players were from Minnesota and the vast majority of goals were by Minnesotans. As with probably all Minnesotans my family, friends and I were glued to the TV on that remarkable day at Lake Placid. Great memories! I went to high school (Mayo high school in Rochester Minnesota) with Eric Strobel who is a year younger than I. As with many Minnesota kids at the time I learned to skate without any formal coaching and played in pick-up games on outdoor rinks. I recall many days we played when the temperature was below zero. We would play until are toes and fingers started to become numb and then went in the warming house (with a wood-burning stove) to warm up and then returned to the ice. There were two outdoor rinks at the high school and we played hockey during gym class. I recall that Strobel’s abilities amazed me even then he was able to hit a slapshot from one end of the rink into the goal on the opposite end without the puck ever touching ice on its way into the net. His contributions to the Olympic team were critical and yet not noted sufficiently by the media. He made very important defensive plays and passes in all of the games.
Don’t sell the Boston kids short. That’s disrespectful. Herb Brooks was a Minnesota guy and chose a lot of his own players at UM. Jim Craig was the MVP of those Olympics, Jack OCallahan , Dave Silk and Mike Eruzioni were vital players and all went to Boston U. BU won 3 National Championships in the 1970’s including 1978. It’s true that the majority of players were from Minnesota and that’s great and they deserve plenty of recognition. But that team wouldn’t have won anything without the Boston U kids. I’m from NYC and never played hockey in my life but I did attend BU on a basketball scholarship from 80-84 and met those guys several times even though they had all graduated. Great days.
only four words, best sports moment ever. No World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Daytona 500, Winston Cup, U.S. Open in golf or tennis, Wimbledon, Indianapolis 500, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, MLS Cup, FIFA World Cup will ever top it.
You said a lot more than 4 words.
Zimmerman he was referring to Al Michael’s famous quote from the final seconds “You believe in Miracles, Yes!” to which the yes is normally not included making it among the most famous four words in sports. Here I am, born 11 years after the event, so I never got to actually see it, but I watch the movie every February 22 (or at least the week of). I love the movie and it is definitely one of the best, if not the best, sports events ever (and I’m a Red Sox Fan so I’m also quite fond of those four days in October 2004).
@@dhmt1626 No, he was referring to "best sports moment ever". And I agree.
@@secondstring see Zimmerman and Drew Henson you're both wrong, Burton is spot on about my statement.
Bull crap Canada has way more Olympic miracles
When the Miracle On Ice took happen in February 1980 I wasn't born yet. I was born on May 7th 1980. Can only imagine what it was like that night. The emotion and excitement not only in the arena but the players and coaches
And yet you still haven’t learned how to form a simple sentence Unbelievable
I was eight years old, and had mite pratice. My dad picked me up from practice and wouldn't tell what happenned. The game was replayed that night and I my mom and dad let me stay up and watch it without telling me who won. Eurizone's goal still chokes me up. Quick fact, mark Johnson's dad--Badger Bob-- basically designed the NHL power play you see today. Mr Bob Johnson also gave us tickets in the Calgary Saddledome in a suite next to the Montreal Canadiens management when Patrick Roy won his first cup his rookie year. Canadiens won in overtime and I was lucky enough to the see the cup parade around.
goals// 14:12 - krutov , 20:42 - schneider , 26:51 - golikov , 30:26 - johnson , 38:02 - maltsev , 1:23:36 - johnson , 1:26:52 - eruzione ...enjoy
Thank you!
26:51 - Makarov .
I love u
So Craig didn’t get hit before the goal went in
@jasonmartin9434 no not on the goal, but it did happen in the game. Same thing with the US first goal, Jack O'Callahan didn't level a USSR player to set up the goal but OC did have some big hits during the game just not leading up to that goal
Al’s line at the beginning says so much and it’s almost forgotten amidst the “Do you believe in miracles” line at the end of the game: “There are a lot of people watching who don’t know the difference between a blue line and a clothes line. It’s irrelevant.”
My father, brother, and I quote that line all the time, we love it.
His line at the end of the Finland game clinching Gold. "THIS IMPOSSIBLE DREAM COMES TRUE!!!!" to this day is a classic.
Many players on the team from my home area of the Iron Range of Minnesota. Went to school with Mark Pavelich.
is he hiding in the wilds today?
great great player
Wow what amazing game, just finshed watching it!!
WOAH
wish this had an hd upscale. TY.
A lot of people recall Jim Craig’s quick burnout in the NHL and think this was just a good amateur team that got lucky; but there was some amazing talent just coming into its own. Look up the NHL careers of Mike Ramsey, Neal Broten and Ken Morrow, plus Mark Johnson, Mark Pavelich, Rob McClanahan and Jack O’Callahan. It was a very talented team that was superbly coached and highly motivated.
This opened the door for many Americans. How many Americans were on NHL rosters before 1980? Not many. Incredible achievement 👏
Dave Christian had a great career as well. As a Caps fan, I watched him a lot. He never missed games, never took bad penalties and scored goals.
Exactly, the widely accepted narrative was that the 1980 US Hockey team was a team of college kids that pulled off the biggest upset of all time. But the facts are that the US team was loaded with top end talent that was NHL ready, and were led by one of the most brilliant hockey minds in Coach Brooks. The 1980 US hockey team was the perfect storm ready to happen.
Al Michaels....two of the greatest lines of all time. Greatest EVENT of all time.
Best line in “Miracle”.. “You score a goal on Tretjak, KEEP THE PUCK…”
Thank you very much for sharing that iconic magical game has nine years old when that happened I don't remember watching the game
My coach, Sergei Starikov played in this game!
Any good, fun stories or anecdotes you can share??
@@spasiba12345 He played for the new jersey devils, played with bruce driver. Unfortunately retired early due to asthma. He played defense.
Hey ultimate, one of the things not talked about was the youth of the USSR D Corp. Fetisov, Kasatonov and Starikov were all 21\22 year olds. They were YOUNGER than Morrow, Baker, O'Callahan and Suter by about one year.
I met dave silk about 10 years ago at a trade show. He let me hold the medal. OMFG. It was like holding the holy grail!
I'm watching this game in 2024 knowing full well what happens and I still get excited and fist pump when USA ties it up in the 3rd
One of the greatest sporting events I ever watched. Reminds me of the Bible story David and Goliath. When it first started, I had no idea, the USA would win the gold. They beat a team that most thought were superior, and a miracle happened the USA won.
Mark Johnson is a real American hero!
Not Jim Craig?
The whole TEAM is!
The real Magic Johnson.
I went to where the Buffalo Sabres practiced in the 1980's, and I met Mike Ramsay. He was such a nice guy.
Sabreland on the Blvd? Were they practicing there at that time?
It’s actually pretty amazing that Eruzione’s goal ended up the winner; both Krutov (“it looked like it hit the post!”) and Maltsev missed golden chances to equalise within a minute. As well as they played, 🇺🇸 also rode their luck late.
I was washing my ‘62 Corvair in my front yard , on the grass, (for obvious reasons, you know why…) with this game on radio. I stand and cry when I hear our National Anthem, this day, no Anthem but a resounding “U S A” given the circumstances, proudly voted for Reagan 7 months later, and I FELT the same pride for our country. Paul Harvey did his best in explaining our Anthem, if you haven’t heard it, listen to it. Proud and unashamed to be an American. My 9th great grandfather stepped onto our shore and lived in New Amsterdam in 1600’s. Helped build a wall around the settlement. Today it’s called Wall Street. The father of my 9th great grandfather’ wife has a bridge and a town named after him. Some of you may know of Jan Peek. Or maybe a town called Peekskill, NY.
Great history.....do a family tree ..
If you voted for Reagan, you got played.
@@gingerhiser7312tbf the dems didn't really have a great option at that point. Then add in all the booms in the economy that started around 81-82, it was always gonna be a GOP nominee after Carter. Even tho Carter was a far better POTUS then he's given credit for
29:20 Kick save AND A BEAUT
my oh my how broadcasting technology has changed!
The US really did need an event like this. Things were going so great. (For that matter for being played during high inflation the $62 ticket would cost about $200 today. Or $600 outside form the scalpers).
As an interesting side note, most people didn't notice that that style of hockey net suddenly disappeared around 1981. Having the metal insert that was in contact with the ice inside the net was banned after some player slid skates first into a net that had jumped its pegs. The insert was elevated for a second and the player impaled himself with it between his balls and rectum, nearly killing him. I would imagine a huge lawsuit ensued and as a result they had to go with a new design.
Mark Howe (son of Gordie) suffered that injury.
What's amazing is the fact that group of players lost about 8 players early to NHL Teams or injury. G Steve Baker D - Rod Langway - Gordie Roberts - Rich Dunn W - Joe Mullen -Tom Gorence - Mike McDougal - Chris Nilan - Ralph Cox That's the best goalie in Baker, D man in Langway (HOF) and forward in Mullen (HOF). It's a testament to the talent pool in the US for the High School classes from 1975 thru 1978.
Grew up in Cincinnati and listened to Al radio broadcast the Reds in the early seventies. Reds fans love his successor Marty . In my opinion Marty was a good announcer, and he stayed with the Reds for decades. Regardless, Al was the best. My understanding is he had to learn hockey before this assignment. We never beat the Russians in Olympic hockey nor anyone else in my prior twenty-five years of watching the Olympics. For the most part the US fared poorly overall in the Olympics save women's figure skating. There was virtually zero optimism over that team's hockey success. This game started at 5:00 pm EST on a Friday. I was only watching it, because it was preferable to the other two programs - no ESPN eT al. The worst part about the game as it developed is we had no cell phone nor internet to communicate to anyone. Also, sports bars did not exist, so most people were at bars unbeknownst this was happening. I will conclude my tome with this: in my lifetime of following sports this event was, is and will be THE GREATEST SPORT EVENT OF ALL TIME.
For Americans…. Definitely! Nothing else comes close, imho!
Jim, US won Gold in 1960. Also if you followed NCAA Hockey 1976-77 through 1978-79 you knew there was very good talent coming up. US lost half their D to the pros early in Langway, Roberts and Dunn. Then lost Mullen, Gorence, Nilan, Cox and McDougal up front. Yet they still stunned USSR and buried Czechoslovakia. That alone tells you there was talent in the NCAA.
Great moment in sports history. I was at home in Lakewood,ca watching the game with my dad chatting USA the most exciting moment beating the USSR and than beating Finland for GOLD MEDAL. The last amateurs USA team to win gold.
5:18 The "birth" of the "USA USA USA" chant. So now when you hear it (like at a Trump Rally) , you know where it stated. USA was on the Team uniforms.
watch 1976 olympic boxing finals from forum in montreal. Usa won 5 gold medals and you can hear the chant during the gold medal winning bouts!
@Dennis Mcneal FU commiee. You are blocked
@Nick Brock You have a problem with "USA""USA""USA" ?
@Nick Brock How old are you Nick?
@Nick Brock Then you are a product of our so called educational system. Did you swallow all the Commie Crap your professors fed you?
The most iconic do you believe in miracles yes.
Anyone shrugging off how incredible this was or referencing othet sports moments as superior doesn't undersand the context or complete impossibilty of this moment. The Soviet team was the best hockey team on the planet, without question. The US team was comprised of mostly college post grads. As a global comparison, this would be like a U18 team beating Manchester City. But also throw in the global pilitical turmoil of the time and this story is easily the greatest sports moment in history. This game single handedly broke the notion within the USSR that the Soviet system was superior.
Hats Off to Al Michaels for taking us through the 1980 USA Hockey 🏒 Team Victorys
Best USA Olympic moment ever
Historic game. Is the original negative still around? Needs to be re-mastered.
there's a video out there of Euruzione's goal, at ice level almost from behind him, and you see how fast the goal was, how he did it all incredibly fast, including the snapshot itself.
I totally agree with you.
Greatest and most intense sporting event I've ever watched .Not even close .
Every one of those kids played the game of their lives. But the Miracle begins and ends with Jim Craig
I rarely say it this way but Jim Craig played out of his tits.
I'd argue the miracle started and ended with the vision Herb Brooks had. Don't forget alot of the players on this team wouldn't have been on the team if Herb wasn't the coach. There was better players at the time but Herb wanted grit, determination, guts, agility and skill among others.
@@Ween1776 Very good point. It's funny, and I am no exception, but when we see spectacular moments, especially in sports, not that we discredit the coach but we almost always forget who got them there. Herb Brooks may have had the most difficult job any coach has ever had, at least in America. they all played the game of their lives, the tournament of their lives, but Herb certainly led the way l
@@ashketchumsdad well said bud
I was 15 years old in 1980, I remember hearing about the victory at my high school basketball game, the crowd cheered so loud! I later watched the taped delay of the game like everyone else, but was still super tense watching it even though I knew the USA already won?!?😜
I was poor and trying to fix my old car in my garage when I heard this. People forget we used old tvs and rabbit ear intenas. It was cold and my fingers were frozen. When we won my heart freaked out.
Ken Dryden (who had no skin in the game) was right when he said unbelievable! No words necessary.
ABC Sports had absolutely no idea at the time on how to broadcast a hockey game! The greatest moment in American sports history was on tape delay so we already knew the end result. Then in the gold medal game ABC during the third period twice went to commercial and both times the US scored goals during the commercials. A disgrace!
Unless you were in Lake Placid that night, you did NOT know the result Can't fault ABC, they requested the games be flipped so they could show this game live, and the IOC told them to get bent
Growing up in Canada, I watched Canada lose to each team ( both close, if memory serves.) I do remember not having much confidence in Team USA, so I went to a movie; Steve Martin's "The Jerk."
looking back even though The Jerk was a top ten grossing film for 1979, bet u now wish u saw what happened on T.V. at Lake Placid instead
Canada did not play the USA in this event. Canada and the Americans were in different pools.
31:00 break moment and changing Tretiak.
I think the modern narrative of this game doesn't really describe how thoroughly dominated the US was by the Soviets. They were outshot 39-16, and seemed like they spent most of the game giving the puck up in the neutral zone or their own end, then scrambling to clear out the rebounds from in front of Craig. If you're gonna have a chance to win a game like that, you need 3 things: 1) A goalie playing out his mind. They got that for sure. 2) A lot of luck. Got this too. 3) The will to not pack it in even when you know you're getting clowned on. This is where most teams outmatched teams fail. The US didn't. Brooks knew he had one chance in a hundred...then went out and built a team that was able to grab that chance, slim though it was. The Soviets played absolutely gorgeous -- and very modern -- hockey, but they were so, so uncomfortable having to play from behind, or even in a tie.
Al Michaels and Ken Dryden were incredible in this game too announcing.
It's Slava Fe-tis-ov, not Fet-is-ov Al Michaels at the time was basically an MLB PBP man, he should not have been butchering the Russian names, because of all the Hispanic names in baseball
Greatest hockey game ever Greatest coaching job ever Greatest player effort ever There is no way that talent level should beat that Soviet team.
Just like Russia most of the U.S it was not broadcast live as most of the Olympics were tape delay even when they were in the U.S. I do remember it came on like 8:00 or so in the east because we all got to miss study hall after dinner to watch it. We got to watch the entire thing. The blue ice still cracks me up.
I wish someone would do some magic and make this high definition
That would be amazing! I’d pay to see it.
Yes please!
It can be done. Maybe not UHD quality. Now to find someone to do it 🤔
@@brianhildreth9099I used to have a pager, Walkman, camera, and landline. Used to. Shit’s evolving.
Awesomeness 🇺🇸💪🏻🫡
They still had to pull themselves together and win the Gold Medal game. Not an easy task, given how emotional this victory was
1:05:50 Hawkeye from Mash
What an intro by Al Michaels and what an absolute barn burner of a game. Brings tears to my eyes.
Chills.
"2:25, 2:24, 2:23...to play" chills
Is there a better quality video?
1:46:26 "Johnson over to Ramsey... Bilyanetdinov gets checked by Ramsey... McClanahan's there, the puck is still loose... eleven seconds! You got ten seconds! The countdown's going on right now! Morrow... up to Silk... five seconds left in the game! Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"
This and Secretariat. Best of the best!
I love when people say, "I was there!", and then you look at their profile photo and they are nowhere near old enough to have been there.
Dryden was such a wet blanket all game
The USA won the gold in hockey in 1960 Olympics beating the USSR in the process. No Al Michaels or ABC to record it for posterity. Good on the 80 team but the 60 team did it first.
I don’t know my history as well as you, so maybe the USSR was just as dominant in 1960 as 1980. I’m going to guess no though. With the Cold War, the Olympics being played in America, not surprised this is way more memorable.
1:44:30 Announcer explains why twenty years later its so exceptional.
The talent in the US was much better in 1980 than 1960. In 1960 there were no regular US players in the NHL. All Canadian. If you shrank the 1980 NHL to 6 teams about 15 US Players would be Regulars.
That's a very young Al Michaels
Hard to believe this was only 6 years ago
Wonderful memory that win; however people forget that at that Olympics the USA won seven gold medals, the US hockey team and that a speed skater named Eric Heiden won six. Heiden said that the US hockey team deserved all the publicity and accolades they received repetitively complimenting them.
I always respected the class of the Soviet players, standing there and watching the celebration of the US players
Not an average US team. Neil Broten, Morrow etc goalie was super hot. The ice beyond soft, water laying in the corners. I miss this level of hockey, today's game is boring in comparison.