“Miracle on Ice”: The Day US Olympic Team Caused One of the Biggest Upsets in Ice Hockey History

The world of sports is fascinating for the many mysteries that lie hidden in it. It can constantly surprise with a result that might have seemed a distant possibility. Such was the disbelief and shock left in store for all Americans on the night of 22nd February 1980. An event that will not only be remembered in sports history, but as a significant milestone in American history. Here’s why Ice Hockey was never the same again in the US after Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal.

“Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles?”, said Al Michaels straight out of his heart, as he later admitted. And what a miracle it was! It was as if the whole Universe conspired to make it possible – “The Miracle on Ice”. Today, 43 years later, the event echoes the same sentiment across millions of Americans and Hockey fans worldwide. 

Why the ‘Miracle on Ice’ was truly a miracle for the US Olympic team

The year was 1980 and Lake Placid, New York, was all set to host its first-ever Winter Olympics in nearly 50 years. It was also the start of a hot and happening decade of sports, that would go on to be the career-defining decade for Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova. From 13-24 February, 37 nations aggregated at this quaint hill town in New York for what promised to be an enthralling 10 days. The Soviet Union, still an undivided territory, dominated most events and was the undisputed champion in Ice Hockey up until then. They would still lead the medal tally at the end of the Olympics, but the event that they most prided themselves in, would witness one of the greatest upsets.

During the time NHL players were still restricted to the domestic league and weren’t allowed in the Olympics. Therefore, the US Hockey team was comprised of mostly 21-year-old rookies. They were the youngest squad in the Olympics, and also the least experienced. The Soviets, on the other hand, were blazing on the back of their four consecutive Olympic Golds.

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The final four comprised, the USA, the Soviet Union, Finland, and Sweden. The USA had previously drawn 2-2 with Sweden before facing the Soviets in the final four. The game between the US and the Soviet Union started on an evenly attacking front from both sides. The first half saw a 2-2 score, but the Soviets quickly took a 3-2 lead in the second half. An imminent victory was incumbent upon the Soviets, as many might’ve expected. However, the third half changed everything.

USA 4-3 Soviet Union, a scoreline that remains immortal

The US equalized at 3-3 midway into the third period. Towards the very end, with just 10 minutes left, Eruzione netted another one to take an unassailable lead. Scoreline: USA 4-3 Soviet Union, a visual that was never seen before. The US team then held off their opponents for the final 10 minutes, like a king’s army guarding its fort. The final whistle blew, and there was no stopping joy and emotions after that.

Only seven months prior to the event, President Carter addressed the ‘crisis of confidence’ in the nation. His infamous ‘malaise’ speech about a decade of economic hardships was still ringing in the ears of every American. However, now they had a reason to forget their woes for a while and celebrate in jubilation. As Eruzione said, “We touched the lives of so many people. People still come up to me and cry when they tell me what that moment meant to them”.

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