February 22, 1980Lake Placid, New York

USA 4 Soviet Union 3

• The "Miracle on Ice" was a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, on February 22. The United States team, made up of amateur and collegiate players and led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet Union team which was considered the best hockey team in the world. They would go on to beat Finland in the finals for the gold medal.

The Soviet Union entered the Olympic tournament as heavy favorites, having won every ice hockey gold medal but one since 1956, the lone exception being the gold won by the United States team in Squaw Valley, CA, in 1960. Though classed as amateurs, Soviet players essentially played professionally (many of the players were active-duty in the Red Army) in a well-developed league with world class training facilities. They were led by legendary players in world ice hockey, such as Boris Mikhailov (a top line right winger and team captain), Vladislav Tretiak (considered by many to be the best ice hockey goaltender in the world at the time), the speedy and skilled Valeri Kharlamov, as well as talented, young, and dynamic players such as defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov and forwards Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov.

Herb Brooks, coach"Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.”

Netminder Jim Craig• Buzz Schneider

had the first US goal to tie the game up in the first.

• Mark Johnson had two goals in the game.

• Right Wing Mike Eruzione team captain scored the winning goal with 10 minutes left in the game.

Commentator Al Michaels in the finals second of the game:

“Eleven seconds, you've got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES!”

For its March 3, 1980 issue, Sports Illustrated ran a cover with just a photograph by Heinz Kluetmeier, making it the first cover in the magazine's history without any accompanying caption or headline. Kluetmeir said, "It didn't need (any cover language). Everyone in America knew what happened."The victory was voted the greatest sports moment of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated.

Needing to win to secure the gold medal, the US team came back from a 2-1 third period deficit to defeat Finland 4–2. According to one player, coming into the dressing room before the game, Brooks turned to his players, looked at them and said, "If you lose this game, you'll take it to your f*cking graves." He then paused, took a few steps, turned again, said, "Your f*cking graves," and walked out.

USA defeats Finlandfor the gold medal 4-2

• At the time, the players ascended a podium to receive their medals and then lined up on the ice for the playing of the national anthem, as the podium was only meant to accommodate one person. Only the team captains remained on the podium for the duration. After the completion of the anthem, Eruzione motioned for his teammates to join him on the podium. Today, the podiums are large enough to accommodate all of the players.

• The victory bolstered many American citizens' feelings of national pride, which had been severely strained during the turbulent 1970s. The match against the Soviets popularized the “U-S-A, U-S-A” chant which has been used by American supporters at many international sports competitions since 1980.Submitted by RA Andria Arnold,

University of South Florida