It's been dubbed “the greatest sports moment in American history”. When Sports Illustrated published their issue following the event, there was no caption on the cover. And there didn’t need to be.
Everyone knew what happened.
On February 22nd, 1980, an amaetur hockey team, coached by Herb Brooks, banded together to take on the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The Soviets won the gold medal in five of the previous six Winter Olympic Games, and their athletes were highly trained, world-renowned players.
Meanwhile, the United States’ team had an average age of 21 years old, and only one returning athlete from the 1976 Olympics team (Buzz Schneider). No one had anticipated them to stand a chance in the 1980 Olympics, let alone win a medal.
In the Olympics, the Soviets dominated their way to the medal round, outscoring their opponents 51-11. On the other hand, the United States’ journey was more dramatic: they had a classic 2-2 draw against the top-notch Swedish team, then defeating Norway, Romania, and West Germany to advance to the medal round.
In front of a raucous American crowd, the two teams with opposite skill levels faced off. Schneider tied the game for the USA after an early first-period goal by the Soviets. The game continued to go back and forth between the two teams, and after two periods, the Soviets held a 3-2 lead. But goaltender Jim Craig and the rest of the team kicked it into high gear. Third period goals by Mark Johnson and Mike Eruzione gave the United States a 4-3 lead. With time winding down, the Soviets marched across the ice and tried to tie it up.
Meanwhile, on ABC Sports, legendary broadcaster Al Michaels (along with Ken Dryden) gave the call that not only won him a Emmy award for sportscasting, but that has been immortalized in sports history forever:
"11 seconds, you've got 10 seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES!”
The crowd in Lake Placid loud as can be, the United States defeated the USSR 4-3. They would eventually go on to defeat Finland in the Gold Medal match-up, stunning the entire world. President Jimmy Carter called the team and congratulated them.
It was more than just a miracle: it was an iconic moment that defined the Olympics, hockey, and the American spirit, proving that anything is possible. 38 years later, the game is just as clear in the minds of those who saw it.
And it’s likely to remain that way for a long time.
