A lot of people credit Mike Eruzione with the biggest goal in US Hockey, but it was actually Bill Baker's goal to tie Sweden in the first game with 27 seconds left in the game that made everything else possible.
I was there at the time I don't think the networks had this kind of replay coverage and I had forgotten the details on how the game ended in a tie so watching this - one goal behind with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to make it
still brings tears of joy and patriotism! we had a high school basketball game the night of the soviet match. the arena was in a fevered pitch with excitement and anticipation, and was kept informed of the match progress as each goal was announced over the PA system. when the final score was announced, the crowed roared, the basketball game stopped, and everyone celebrated, hugged strangers, cried, cheered, screamed and chanted “USA” together as one, the entire NATION together as one, for 20 minutes. I’ve never felt as close together as a country and a people united, and i doubt that i ever will. To say it was magical is a severe understatement! For a moment in time there was no bigotry, hatred, race, color, gender, political agenda, bias, identity issues or malice. Just unity and inexplicable national pride. There still are no words.
@ 11:49, Mike Eruzione on the medal stand singing the National Anthem. My God, what was he thinking ? A few months earlier he was just an ex college player from Winthrop, MA and now he, and the rest of the team, were national heroes ! Freakin' amazing ! Seriously, I don't know if it's possible to have a more natural high than what he was having right there.
I was 10 when this happened. I remember watching every game with my dad. At the end of the game against the Soviets, our house erupted in a massive cheer. I just remember my dad saying he was about to cry. Lol What an awesome feeling it was.
I was 11 and on a ski vacation in Canada during the Soviet game so I got to watch it live. It was amazing to see our neighbors to the north cheering the USA team on. I still get the chills 40 years later hearing Al Michaels make the call
Edward Francis it was sweet. I was closing down the Crnter Cafe in Healy Basement in the night of the Swedish game and got to see the tying goal with CrIg on the bench. This was 1980, so there was exactly one TV in the student center of Georgetown University. Fortunately it was tuned thx game. after that I was hooked, although the local Washington’ DC anchor blurted out the score during a commercial break midway though the Russian game.
Dean Bisbano So was I. I was a Minnesota kid who played hockey as a kid and living in Iowa at the time. I remember around 5:45 pm before ABC aired the game at 7 pm on tape delay, the TV channel I was watching scrolled a message at the bottom of the screen stating that Team USA had just upset USSR 4-3. So I knew who won before watching it, but it was still unbelievable. Two hours after they won the gold on Sunday morning, my buddies who knew nothing about hockey were in my backyard playing hockey on a patch of ice in freezing weather. Later that week, the local YMCA started a floor hockey league, which had never been done before. People in Iowa were clueless about hockey, but after Team USA won everyone wanted to play it. That Russia win jump started kids playing hockey across the country and Americans were finally able to feel proud about something. I will NEVER forget this moment and what it meant...far greater than just a hockey game.
metsduden, thanks for your comment....for there have been some really incredible moments in US olympic history....from Al Oerter to Mary Lou Retton to Eric Heiden to Jesse Owens to Mark Spitz to Bill Johnson to Greg Louganis to Billy Mills et al....all of which I have Olympic footage of each these great American performers posted in at www.imasportsphile.com in our Olympic section....but I have to agree without a doubt....this was not only the "finest moment in US Olympic history".....but probably the finest moment in US sports history like MrDuds1984 so aptly stated in his corresponding comment.
MrDuds1984, thanks for your comment to metsduden....cuz after this lil ole chiweenie Sportsphile has thought about your comment....I cannot honestly think of any other moment in US sports history that even compares to the significance and impact that this Gold Medal victory by a group of non-professional young men accomplished over teams laden with professional players like Russia, Sweden and Finland had on their team....for this was certainly the greatest upset of all time....and truly "the finest moment in US sports history".....and since you enjoyed this video, click on my webpage www.imasportsphile.com where I have currently posted 1500 vintage sports, comedy and music videos....and have 9,000 more to post....with tons of Olympics content.
You're forgetting, if you ever knew 1960 at Squaw. Oh, and 1972 which I personally, viscerally remember. Then, of course, Mark Spitz and Eric Heiden. Does anyone have any idea what those two did.............?
Ran onto the pond In Wisconsin after the game and starting 'knocking' the puck around for the first time ever. Fast forward to 2020 and I am in my 26th year of running an ice arena and 23rd year of officiating ice hockey! USA!!
Awesome! I grew up playing basketball in Washington state. I had never heard of or even knew what the sport of hockey was. All I remember was hearing about the USA beating the Russians, and that was good enough for me. My family moved to Minnesota in June of 1980 and my new friends in MN introduced me to Hockey in the winter of 80-81. My knees were black and blue after that winter as I had never skated before, but I absolutely fell in love with the sport - and LOVE playing hockey still to this day! I learned about the "Miracle" that winter and have always loved Team USA and follow them.....
To provide a summary....I bought a Team USA hockey jersey back in 1984 (wish it had been a 1980 jersey), and still wear it proudly every time I can while playing games. Red, White and Blue - all the way!
How could you not heard of hockey in Washington state? There were rinks in Washington. My nephew played in the USA Hockey Midget Nationals in 1976-77 and he played the Seattle Sno Kings and they were goid and from Seattle area.
I was there at the time I'm the networks had replay coverage so this is the first time I've seen something like this and I've long since forgotten the details on how it ended up with a tie but even now with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to do
I find it incredible that even though I wasn't alive to witness these events, it somehow still feels nostalgic simply based on the history and dialogue of what was happening in the world at that time. Lord knows what this did to USA hockey, and honestly may be one of the biggest reasons for why hockey is my favorite sport now.
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At the Olympic level? Set up an impossible act to follow. The US hasn't won a Gold since Lake Placid. For a supposed hockey power that's a terrible Olympic record. Canada, Sweden, Czech Rep and Russia have all won since. So whats up USA?
I watched the Soviet /Usa game live on tv when i was 9 in Canada, I knew i was witness to something special at the time, you could feel the energy through the tv
Can remember every moment like yesterday. Thanks for the post of the video. Very emotional moment. I am 73 years old and remember the sad status of our country and how we needed a lift. Got it from this game.
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I was 18, in the living room still at home (westside of Jacksonville, FL) with my mother, nobody was in there, she just had the little 13 inch black and white t.v. playing in the background - I was experiencing clinical depression and severe anxiety/p.t.s.d. so at the time, I was in my own little "world," not even half paying attention.... not aware of the tense atmosphere politically (I knew of the hostages and Afghanistan of course, but I mean specifically at the games) but something about when I heard the sportscaster say "Eruzione!!" and the vibe I was picking up caused me to sit up and take notice. To this day, later on of course finding out the sheer magnitude of what had happened) I tear up and remember the feeling/energy coming out of the t.v. into my little living room and my little world!
We all remember watching that game. Feeling the tension after we took the lead 4-3. On the edge of our seats until the final moment and screaming and jumping for joy! I still remember hearing fireworks go off in our neighborhood immediately after the win. We all knew what and who they were for: America ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️ U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️ U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️
We at www.imasportsphile.com who are responsible for posting this vintage video along with 2500 others from the same era appreciate your service and agree with you....as our Bone Daddy, the original Sportsphile dittos your comment about pride....for pride in America never comes cheap....and therefore the pride continues to grow as time passes.
John Mildner: I did 30 years in the US Army, I would have at least said "God Bless America", not "Go Bless America". Whom is supposed to bless America? I am proud of America, and have always said God Bless America. There is even a famous song, "God Bless America". Have you ever heard of it?
I grew up in Minneapolis and skated with and against many of these guys, Herbie was also our coach in Summer hockey, including Ken Yackel hockey school. Herbie was also a personal friend of my uncle that coached at Mahtomedi.. great memories 🏒🥅
I am about your age and grew up in Greater Boston. If all the players who played and were NCAA hockey aged and played NCAA and not Jr and played out their eligibilty you would have seen a much more talented team that might not have even medaled. .lol. Baker in net instead of Craig possibly. Langway, Roberts, Dunn on D. Meaning Christian plays forward and Suter is cut along with one of Baker, Ramsey/I'Callahan. Langway, Roberts, Morrow & Dunn would have been the clear top 4 at that time. Up front Mullen and Gorence would have meant a strong chance Schneider or Eruzione were cut...lol
You must mean Warren Strelow, the Mahtomedi HS hockey coach. There was little film or media about him, but phenomenal goaltending was a huge factor in “The Miracle.”
Scott Buckmoyer, thanks for your comment....cuz you are "spot on" with how big of an upset it truly was......for that young bunch of bucks layed open the big Russian bear....but to call it bigger than Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston....or Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson....or Villanova vs Georgetown....or Jets vs Colts....or many many others.....but it is surly at the top....and when I get comments whereby the viewer obviously enjoyed one of the 1400+ that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com.....it just spurns me onward to post the remaining 1900 hrs. (9,000) that I still have to post.
Can someone tell me why the Finland flag isn't being raised in the medal ceremony? Didn't USA beat team Finland in the finals? Or did they beat the swedes?
It was actually a medal round back then. No semifinals or gold/bronze medal games. That was just a last game of the medal round. Finland finished fourth eventually. We had to wait our first medal until 1988 olympics. :)
Exactly. The Russians (Soviets) had annihilated a more talented team of pro-hockey players a few months earlier. They also beat the same USA team 2 weeks earlier 10-3, and they felt like they could have actually scored even more goals. Needless to say, the USA team were huge underdogs.
@@coledavlan1711 No Finland in The Final ! Every Game counted + points from the Games ! So You needed to Win Most or ALL THE GAMES ! Now it is Different - They changed it to Cup formation !
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Yes, it was, and here's my personal recollection: I was on my high school's basketball team, and when this news broke we were going through warm-ups on the court before our game. My friend's dad came up to the sidelines and told his son that our hockey team had beaten the Soviets. He said, "Sweet!" and then turned and told me. Even as 'youngsters' we felt the magnitude of it, and that memory has lasted.
Reed, the reason we have posted 2300 vintage videos like this one on our webpage at www.imsportsphile.com....is simply for comments like yours.... where folks have fond memories of where they were at moments like the Miracle on Ice.
Great look back and key moment was tying goal against Sweden. That extra point made the difference for the gold medal. There’d have been no miracle without it.
Every.co.petitive game mattered. Norway and Romania were gimmies but Sweden, Czech, W Germany were all huge before the medal round. I believe US was down 2-0 to W. Germany.
I watched this live, it was a pretty big deal for us being that growing up in MN a good number of players, and coach Brooks were from MN. So school studies were actually closed down that day so the students could watch the game in its entirety. After the game i had a big sense of pride, but i also was in total disbelief that Team USA had pulled off the impossible, and had beat the best hockey team in the world. A day i won't ever forget.
Wow.. I cannot believe I found this! I was 10 years old when this happened and when ABC did this summary, I had recorded this on a cassette tape! This is awesome to see this again!
@@Rokinray The film Olympia: Festival of Nations, documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics, includes the chant during the finals of the 1,500 meter event and the long jump.[4] It was also documented at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, during the basketball tournament final between the United States and the Soviet Union.[5] In 1979, the chant was used in Budapest when the national men's teams of Hungary and the United States played against each other.[1] or if you are not a fan of wiki: www.mic.com/articles/82081/how-did-the-u-s-a-chant-start-here-s-the-history-behind-america-s-greatest-sports-anthem
@@sketin I accept hhis assertion because I have watched every Olympics since 1968. The USA chant only ever sounded genuine during the hockey tournament at Lake Placid. Anyone else should have their tongues cut out for the disrespect.
Hooah Minnesota, thanks for your comment....for it is at the top of the heap of the thousands of "one word" comments that I have ever received....and it just simply sums up how every American sports fan felt when our "young bucks" beat down the "big bad Russian bear" on ice in Lake Placid....and since you enjoyed this video so much....check out the 1400+ vintage sports videos that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com....plus I have another 9500 yet to post....so stay tuned.
I was 5, watching from the iron range in northern minnesota, didnt have a clue why mom and dad were jumping up and down screaming at the tv, funny thing though, I do remember seeing the red white and blue uniforms🇺🇸
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I think Al Michaels call at the end of the Finland game was the most remembered by me personally. "This impossible dream comes true" was dripping with the emotion of the moment. Great line.
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May be biased,, but what a great time to be alive! Was 23 then & 64 now. And obviously what a fantastic call by Al Michaels (aka alfalfa by Howard Cosell) & Ken Dryden.
I went to a hockey school in Aspen Colorado run by Bob Johnson, father of Mark Johnson. I knew Mark he was about 5 years older than I. I was close to the age of Peter Johnson who was the younger son. You have to understand the Americans were not paid professional athletes. They beat the Russians who were not paid, but they had no other job other than to play hockey at the highest level. They learned their hockey by watching American basketball in how they passed the ball. No look passed were very common and worked well for them as if they missed, it was off to Siberia for them. This was a true miracle on ice!
KMK7355, thanks for your comment.....and sorry for my delay in responding....as I have had my head in the sand posting 1400 videos of vintage sports, comedy and music on my webpage at www.imasportsphile.com....where I have already posted hundreds of Olympics video that I am sure you will enjoy....plus I have 1900 hrs. of content left to post....so stay tuned.
ABC did show this game live. However they went to commercial when Phil Verkota scored the game tying goal. Of course you're not going to see it here when Al Michaels said "a good thing happened when we were away at commercial. The US scored!"
I have cancer, and I'm comfortable leaving this earth, knowing, the greatest upset of all time is a bunch of college kids, where I went to school at the U, is still this game, and I never played hockey.
Had never seen this upload til now. Thank you. Years ago I bought some bootlegged dVDs of most of the 80 USA hockey games. I remember there was some really good hockey played, like vs WG, and I always wondered why these full games were not commercially available. I asked someone in Lake Placid once and was told there was a conflict between abc and the Olympic Committee. I dont understand this. Anyway, can you tell me how you got all this footage? Thank you again!
I JUST TURNED TEN YEARS OLD, on Wednesday,Feb.20,1980....WHEN THE USA HOCKEY OLYMPIC TEAM WAS PLAYING AGAINST THE WEST GERMANY....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY AND. ALSO A SWEET VICTORY FOR THE 1980 USA OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM😃😃😃.... BUT TWO DAYS LATER.... THE USA HOCKEY TEAM HAD A MUCH SWEEEEEEEEETER VICTORY AGAINST THE RUSSIANS....USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA😃😃😃😃
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Canuckalo, thanks for your comment....for we at ImaSportsphile generally expect that Canada has a better hockey teams than the USA....especially since it is your national sport and kids all over the country grow up playing the game....like Brazilian and Mexican kids grow up playing futbol.....and yes, at least to date, it is a once in a life time thing....but if we were Canadian....we wouldn't hold our breaths on the future.
Bosox, I'm from Greater Boston abd plaed some HS hockey in a Middlesex League town in the early 70's. That US Team only had to really pull 1 upset. That Czech team they beat had beyond terrible goaltending. In fact at the 1979 Worlds a team made up of about half the 1980 Team and a collection of US NHL players tied Czech 2-2, with Craig in net. I followed NCAA Hockey as I graduated in 1977 from college. I felt they absolutely could medal. Granted didnt think Gold, but they were a talented young team. However they played a Pre Olympic schedule that basically mimicked an AHL level schedule, so they weren't college players anymore.
KMK7355 No US Team has played that grueling of a schedule leading up to the Olympics. They really gelled as a team. Now, NHL players get together for a few practices before the games begin. It just doesn’t seem the same. I had heard Craig played rock solid in the Worlds. On a separate note, Myshkin wasn’t a bad goaltender. He actually shut out the NHL All-Star team leading up to Lake Placid.
The fact that at that time it was amateurs (not pros) that made up Team USA. The USSR and East Germany were older and experienced skaters, they were not paid to play, but taken care of by their governments. The Olympics changed all that and, in my mind, ruined things when they allowed professionals to participate in sports competition. Momentum is everything in sports. Once you have it, it can't be stopped.
И именно поэтому это называется чудом на льду ... потому что правда, что некоторые из российских хоккейных команд занимают лучшие команды, чтобы когда-либо лететь. Если вам нравятся винтажные виды спорта .... тогда вы будете любить нашу веб-страницу по адресу www.imasportsphile.com I imenno poetomu eto nazyvayetsya chudom na l'du ... potomu chto pravda, chto nekotoryye iz rossiyskikh khokkeynykh komand zanimayut luchshiye komandy, chtoby kogda-libo letet'. Yesli vam nravyatsya vintazhnyye vidy sporta .... togda vy budete lyubit' nashu veb-stranitsu po adresu www.imasportsphile.com
Went there in 1975 explorer post 1348 cave explorers cool we were told of a place in the woods with smooth rocks twenty foot drop pure spring water looked one inch deep was 15ft
I'm curious as to why Herb Brooks always left down the hallway immediately after the win, especially against the Soviets and for the gold medal round. I was born 10 years after this game but was wondering if anyone knows? My guess was his emotions/tears of joy but wasn't sure if there was any other explanations for it.
he felt it would be hypocritical to celebrate with the team in which he was cast as the villain! he wasn't very close to the team and that's the way he wanted it!
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Dryden was too much of an intellectual to hate anybody. I am sure he wanted the USA to win but I doubt he saw it as life and death. or got caught up in politics.
*I was negative 6 years old when this happened swimming around in my dad's testee sack, the national anthem was so loud I could hear and feel it through the skin*
A lot of people credit Mike Eruzione with the biggest goal in US Hockey, but it was actually Bill Baker's goal to tie Sweden in the first game with 27 seconds left in the game that made everything else possible.
Yes BILL BAKER started the roll to the Gold Medal _
40 years later still get chills. USA USA USA 🇺🇸!
41 years later still get the chills.... wish it was the same USA, though. 😔
yes! I get chills and I’m Australia. So inspiring. ✨
I was there at the time I don't think the networks had this kind of replay coverage and I had forgotten the details on how the game ended in a tie so watching this - one goal behind with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to make it
still brings tears of joy and patriotism!
we had a high school basketball game the night of the soviet match. the arena was in a fevered pitch with excitement and anticipation, and was kept informed of the match progress as each goal was announced over the PA system. when the final score was announced, the crowed roared, the basketball game stopped, and everyone celebrated, hugged strangers, cried, cheered, screamed and chanted “USA” together as one, the entire NATION together as one, for 20 minutes. I’ve never felt as close together as a country and a people united, and i doubt that i ever will. To say it was magical is a severe understatement! For a moment in time there was no bigotry, hatred, race, color, gender, political agenda, bias, identity issues or malice. Just unity and inexplicable national pride. There still are no words.
I might be a Maple Leaf fan and a Canadian Olympic team fan but this was the best.
Greatest moment in all sports. Ever
Leicester city winning the pl is in the conversation. Only other thing I can think of though. Truly remarkable.
Best moments in the history of sports, I was 16 then and a hockey player back in Pittsburgh..we danced in the streets!!
Jim Craig's NHL career: 11-10-7, 3.78 gaa, .857 save pct, but for 2 glorious weeks, he was the best damn goalie on EARTH !
42 years later and still get that wonderful feeling, thank you to every man on that USA TEAM AND COACH HERB BROOKS.
Greatest moment in ANY sport - bar none - can't and won't be repeated again!
The best hockey team in the world at that time. Great job Herb.
@ 11:49, Mike Eruzione on the medal stand singing the National Anthem. My God, what was he thinking ? A few months earlier he was just an ex college player from Winthrop, MA and now he, and the rest of the team, were national heroes ! Freakin' amazing ! Seriously, I don't know if it's possible to have a more natural high than what he was having right there.
I was 10 when this happened. I remember watching every game with my dad. At the end of the game against the Soviets, our house erupted in a massive cheer. I just remember my dad saying he was about to cry. Lol What an awesome feeling it was.
I'm Canadian and I watched hockey all my life but this was amazing !
I was 20 years old in college in Duluth, Mn. Mark Pavalich was a UMD player. We followed live on radio and then watched tape delay. Big party!
I was 11 and on a ski vacation in Canada during the Soviet game so I got to watch it live. It was amazing to see our neighbors to the north cheering the USA team on. I still get the chills 40 years later hearing Al Michaels make the call
yeah Russia is always the bad guys, no one cheers for them. lol
The greatest 2 weeks of my sports fan life!!!
Edward Francis it was sweet. I was closing down the Crnter Cafe in Healy Basement in the night of the Swedish game and got to see the tying goal with CrIg on the bench. This was 1980, so there was exactly one TV in the student center of Georgetown University. Fortunately it was tuned thx game. after that I was hooked, although the local Washington’ DC anchor blurted out the score during a commercial break midway though the Russian game.
I will mever ever forget how BIG that was..I was in the 5th grade..those guys brougjt our country back
Dean Bisbano So was I. I was a Minnesota kid who played hockey as a kid and living in Iowa at the time. I remember around 5:45 pm before ABC aired the game at 7 pm on tape delay, the TV channel I was watching scrolled a message at the bottom of the screen stating that Team USA had just upset USSR 4-3. So I knew who won before watching it, but it was still unbelievable. Two hours after they won the gold on Sunday morning, my buddies who knew nothing about hockey were in my backyard playing hockey on a patch of ice in freezing weather. Later that week, the local YMCA started a floor hockey league, which had never been done before. People in Iowa were clueless about hockey, but after Team USA won everyone wanted to play it. That Russia win jump started kids playing hockey across the country and Americans were finally able to feel proud about something. I will NEVER forget this moment and what it meant...far greater than just a hockey game.
3rd period of game against Finland- best single period of hockey in US Olympic history.
Miracles do not win games - SKILL DOES - Give it to the U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team for their sheer SKILLS ! Nevermind a miracle !
The finest moment in US olympic history.
metsdudenj the finest moment in US sports history
metsduden, thanks for your comment....for there have been some really incredible moments in US olympic history....from Al Oerter to Mary Lou Retton to Eric Heiden to Jesse Owens to Mark Spitz to Bill Johnson to Greg Louganis to Billy Mills et al....all of which I have Olympic footage of each these great American performers posted in at www.imasportsphile.com in our Olympic section....but I have to agree without a doubt....this was not only the "finest moment in US Olympic history".....but probably the finest moment in US sports history like MrDuds1984 so aptly stated in his corresponding comment.
MrDuds1984, thanks for your comment to metsduden....cuz after this lil ole chiweenie Sportsphile has thought about your comment....I cannot honestly think of any other moment in US sports history that even compares to the significance and impact that this Gold Medal victory by a group of non-professional young men accomplished over teams laden with professional players like Russia, Sweden and Finland had on their team....for this was certainly the greatest upset of all time....and truly "the finest moment in US sports history".....and since you enjoyed this video, click on my webpage www.imasportsphile.com where I have currently posted 1500 vintage sports, comedy and music videos....and have 9,000 more to post....with tons of Olympics content.
You're forgetting, if you ever knew 1960 at Squaw. Oh, and 1972 which I personally, viscerally remember. Then, of course, Mark Spitz and Eric Heiden. Does anyone have any idea what those two did.............?
Finest moment in American sports history. Nothing else comes close. A bunch of kids beat the best hockey team in the world. Unbelievable, but true.
Ran onto the pond In Wisconsin after the game and starting 'knocking' the puck around for the first time ever. Fast forward to 2020 and I am in my 26th year of running an ice arena and 23rd year of officiating ice hockey! USA!!
That’s a cool story!
Awesome! I grew up playing basketball in Washington state. I had never heard of or even knew what the sport of hockey was. All I remember was hearing about the USA beating the Russians, and that was good enough for me. My family moved to Minnesota in June of 1980 and my new friends in MN introduced me to Hockey in the winter of 80-81. My knees were black and blue after that winter as I had never skated before, but I absolutely fell in love with the sport - and LOVE playing hockey still to this day! I learned about the "Miracle" that winter and have always loved Team USA and follow them.....
To provide a summary....I bought a Team USA hockey jersey back in 1984 (wish it had been a 1980 jersey), and still wear it proudly every time I can while playing games. Red, White and Blue - all the way!
How could you not heard of hockey in Washington state?
There were rinks in Washington.
My nephew played in the
USA Hockey Midget Nationals in
1976-77 and he played the Seattle Sno Kings and they were goid and from Seattle area.
Most memorable moment of my life being at that game right behind the USA goal working the Olympics.
I can't imagine being there. You were in the right spot for the biggest upset in world sports. Nothing else comes close. Congratulations.
I’m 55 years old and I’ve watched a lot of great sports in my life, but nothing will ever top this. Still gives me chills after all these years.
55 here same.
I was there at the time I'm the networks had replay coverage so this is the first time I've seen something like this and I've long since forgotten the details on how it ended up with a tie but even now with 29 seconds left my heart was in my mouth that we weren't going to do
I'm not sure the networks had replay
I find it incredible that even though I wasn't alive to witness these events, it somehow still feels nostalgic simply based on the history and dialogue of what was happening in the world at that time. Lord knows what this did to USA hockey, and honestly may be one of the biggest reasons for why hockey is my favorite sport now.
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At the Olympic level? Set up an
impossible act to follow.
The US hasn't won a Gold since
Lake Placid. For a supposed hockey power that's a terrible Olympic record. Canada, Sweden, Czech Rep and Russia have all won since.
So whats up USA?
I watched the Soviet /Usa game live on tv when i was 9 in Canada, I knew i was witness to something special at the time, you could feel the energy through the tv
Can remember every moment like yesterday. Thanks for the post of the video. Very emotional moment. I am 73 years old and remember the sad status of our country and how we needed a lift. Got it from this game.
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Rizzo would remind you that sports are supposed to pull us together, not apart.
What an amazing moment from an amazing squad
I was 18, in the living room still at home (westside of Jacksonville, FL) with my mother, nobody was in there, she just had the little 13 inch black and white t.v. playing in the background - I was experiencing clinical depression and severe anxiety/p.t.s.d. so at the time, I was in my own little "world," not even half paying attention.... not aware of the tense atmosphere politically (I knew of the hostages and Afghanistan of course, but I mean specifically at the games) but something about when I heard the sportscaster say "Eruzione!!" and the vibe I was picking up caused me to sit up and take notice. To this day, later on of course finding out the sheer magnitude of what had happened) I tear up and remember the feeling/energy coming out of the t.v. into my little living room and my little world!
We all remember watching that game. Feeling the tension after we took the lead 4-3. On the edge of our seats until the final moment and screaming and jumping for joy! I still remember hearing fireworks go off in our neighborhood immediately after the win. We all knew what and who they were for: America ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️
U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️
U - S - A! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ❤️❤️❤️
I was serving my country in the US Army.... I was proud then !!! I'm even prouder now !!!! GO BLESS AMERICA
We at www.imasportsphile.com who are responsible for posting this vintage video along with 2500 others from the same era appreciate your service and agree with you....as our Bone Daddy, the original Sportsphile dittos your comment about pride....for pride in America never comes cheap....and therefore the pride continues to grow as time passes.
John Mildner: I did 30 years in the US Army, I would have at least said "God Bless America", not "Go Bless America". Whom is supposed to bless America? I am proud of America, and have always said God Bless America. There is even a famous song, "God Bless America". Have you ever heard of it?
I thank you both for your service to our country
God Bless the USA! Thank you for your time serving this great country, sir!
I grew up in Minneapolis and skated with and against many of these guys, Herbie was also our coach in Summer hockey, including Ken Yackel hockey school. Herbie was also a personal friend of my uncle that coached at Mahtomedi.. great memories 🏒🥅
I am about your age and grew up in Greater Boston. If all the players
who played and were NCAA hockey aged and played NCAA and not Jr and played out their eligibilty you would have seen a much more talented team that might not have even medaled. .lol.
Baker in net instead of Craig possibly. Langway, Roberts, Dunn on D. Meaning Christian plays forward and Suter is cut along with one of Baker, Ramsey/I'Callahan.
Langway, Roberts, Morrow & Dunn
would have been the clear top 4
at that time.
Up front Mullen and Gorence
would have meant a strong chance Schneider or Eruzione
were cut...lol
You must mean Warren Strelow, the Mahtomedi HS hockey coach. There was little film or media about him, but phenomenal goaltending was a huge factor in “The Miracle.”
ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPSET EVER AND I WAS 10 YEARS OLD
Scott Buckmoyer, thanks for your comment....cuz you are "spot on" with how big of an upset it truly was......for that young bunch of bucks layed open the big Russian bear....but to call it bigger than Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston....or Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson....or Villanova vs Georgetown....or Jets vs Colts....or many many others.....but it is surly at the top....and when I get comments whereby the viewer obviously enjoyed one of the 1400+ that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com.....it just spurns me onward to post the remaining 1900 hrs. (9,000) that I still have to post.
Can someone tell me why the Finland flag isn't being raised in the medal ceremony? Didn't USA beat team Finland in the finals? Or did they beat the swedes?
It was actually a medal round back then. No semifinals or gold/bronze medal games. That was just a last game of the medal round. Finland finished fourth eventually. We had to wait our first medal until 1988 olympics. :)
Exactly. The Russians (Soviets) had annihilated a more talented team of pro-hockey players a few months earlier. They also beat the same USA team 2 weeks earlier 10-3, and they felt like they could have actually scored even more goals.
Needless to say, the USA team were huge underdogs.
@@coledavlan1711 No Finland in The Final ! Every Game counted + points from the Games ! So You needed to Win Most or ALL THE GAMES ! Now it is Different - They changed it to Cup formation !
Someone always brings in cut onions when I revisit this game.
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Yes, it was, and here's my personal recollection: I was on my high school's basketball team, and when this news broke we were going through warm-ups on the court before our game. My friend's dad came up to the sidelines and told his son that our hockey team had beaten the Soviets. He said, "Sweet!" and then turned and told me. Even as 'youngsters' we felt the magnitude of it, and that memory has lasted.
I was 9 years old watching in Duluth MN. Heroes.
Reed, the reason we have posted 2300 vintage videos like this one on our webpage at www.imsportsphile.com....is simply for comments like yours.... where folks have fond memories of where they were at moments like the Miracle on Ice.
Great look back and key moment was tying goal against Sweden. That extra point made the difference for the gold medal. There’d have been no miracle without it.
Every.co.petitive game mattered.
Norway and Romania were gimmies but Sweden, Czech, W Germany were all huge before the medal round. I believe US was down 2-0 to W. Germany.
Greatest Sports Moment of the 20th Century. A bunch of college and minor league hockey players. Still can't believe it.
I watched this live, it was a pretty big deal for us being that growing up in MN a good number of players, and coach Brooks were from MN. So school studies were actually closed down that day so the students could watch the game in its entirety. After the game i had a big sense of pride, but i also was in total disbelief that Team USA had pulled off the impossible, and had beat the best hockey team in the world. A day i won't ever forget.
Jim Craig did awesome job protecting that net. Probably the best he ever played.
Wow.. I cannot believe I found this! I was 10 years old when this happened and when ABC did this summary, I had recorded this on a cassette tape! This is awesome to see this again!
Still get teary eyed watching it.
This is the best fucking sport. Hands down. Nothing is more exciting than this.
still gives me goose bumps after all of these decades
This is the moment in American History the "USA" Chant made its debut
debut no popularized yes. There have been other instances before this, including one of the olympics in the 70s where there were USA chants
@@limitedbom2206 prove it.
@@Rokinray The film Olympia: Festival of Nations, documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics, includes the chant during the finals of the 1,500 meter event and the long jump.[4] It was also documented at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, during the basketball tournament final between the United States and the Soviet Union.[5] In 1979, the chant was used in Budapest when the national men's teams of Hungary and the United States played against each other.[1]
or if you are not a fan of wiki: www.mic.com/articles/82081/how-did-the-u-s-a-chant-start-here-s-the-history-behind-america-s-greatest-sports-anthem
@@Rokinray yet you'll accept gostate's assertion without question. ok boomer
@@sketin I accept hhis assertion because I have watched every Olympics since 1968. The USA chant only ever sounded genuine during the hockey tournament at Lake Placid. Anyone else should have their tongues cut out for the disrespect.
What a great time to be an American hockey fan. Seems like yesterday
Goosebumps.
Hooah Minnesota, thanks for your comment....for it is at the top of the heap of the thousands of "one word" comments that I have ever received....and it just simply sums up how every American sports fan felt when our "young bucks" beat down the "big bad Russian bear" on ice in Lake Placid....and since you enjoyed this video so much....check out the 1400+ vintage sports videos that I have currently posted at www.imasportsphile.com....plus I have another 9500 yet to post....so stay tuned.
I was there! Not in 1980, but I’ve been to Lake Placid many times over the years.
I was 5, watching from the iron range in northern minnesota, didnt have a clue why mom and dad were jumping up and down screaming at the tv, funny thing though, I do remember seeing the red white and blue uniforms🇺🇸
A tie was just as good as a win! After what happened 10 or so days earlier at MSG, this tie was huge!
This was a very good video. Glad I found it
God this was great. I remember this was a kid. Pure electricity.
This team was enchanted
No one in that arena would take knee, no one in ANY arena!
By God, what has happened to us??
Greatest Sports Quote of the 20th Century;
“DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!”
~Al Michaels 🇺🇸
My right ear enjoyed this video.
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Without a doubt the greatest sports moment of all time.
WOWOWOWOWOWOW! Brings tears to my eyes. Seems like yesterday that this 9yo only child of immigrants was sitting alone in Michigan watching this.
Getting ready for this year's Summer Olympics in Japan - 40 years after this amazing spectacle.
Amazing, still is!
I think Al Michaels call at the end of the Finland game was the most remembered by me personally. "This impossible dream comes true" was dripping with the emotion of the moment. Great line.
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May be biased,, but what a great time to be alive! Was 23 then & 64 now. And obviously what a fantastic call by Al Michaels (aka alfalfa by Howard Cosell) & Ken Dryden.
Can never be topped
Amazing i never saw the part before where the players chant usa back...
Amazing
Everything was beautiful about this game right down to the USA Jersey
I went to a hockey school in Aspen Colorado run by Bob Johnson, father of Mark Johnson. I knew Mark he was about 5 years older than I. I was close to the age of Peter Johnson who was the younger son.
You have to understand the Americans were not paid professional athletes. They beat the Russians who were not paid, but they had no other job other than to play hockey at the highest level. They learned their hockey by watching American basketball in how they passed the ball. No look passed were very common and worked well for them as if they missed, it was off to Siberia for them. This was a true miracle on ice!
2020 I still get chills seeing them beat Russia
How long has this video been up? I have never seen this ABC recap before. This is great stuff.
Hard to believe ABC didn't show this live.
KMK7355, thanks for your comment.....and sorry for my delay in responding....as I have had my head in the sand posting 1400 videos of vintage sports, comedy and music on my webpage at www.imasportsphile.com....where I have already posted hundreds of Olympics video that I am sure you will enjoy....plus I have 1900 hrs. of content left to post....so stay tuned.
ABC did show this game live. However they went to commercial when Phil Verkota scored the game tying goal. Of course you're not going to see it here when Al Michaels said "a good thing happened when we were away at commercial. The US scored!"
Russia refused to play a night game so it was a day event and shown primetime in a replay by ABC
Nobody thought they could actually win it. If you played this game 100 times the Soviets would win 99 of them.
This recap was played during the closing ceremony show. They went thru and highlighted all of the great moments from the Olympic Games.
I have cancer, and I'm comfortable leaving this earth, knowing, the greatest upset of all time is a bunch of college kids, where I went to school at the U, is still this game, and I never played hockey.
Best video on youtube
Greatest victory n the history of American sports. Nothing else come close. A bunch of kids beat the best team in the world. Unbelievable.
Raspberries to You Tube for inserting a commercial in the middle of the national anthem.
Had never seen this upload til now. Thank you. Years ago I bought some bootlegged dVDs of most of the 80 USA hockey games. I remember there was some really good hockey played, like vs WG, and I always wondered why these full games were not commercially available. I asked someone in Lake Placid once and was told there was a conflict between abc and the Olympic Committee. I dont understand this. Anyway, can you tell me how you got all this footage? Thank you again!
I was all of 15, but felt like a giant............
Cheers Herb
I JUST TURNED TEN YEARS OLD, on Wednesday,Feb.20,1980....WHEN THE USA HOCKEY OLYMPIC TEAM WAS PLAYING AGAINST THE WEST GERMANY....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY AND. ALSO A SWEET VICTORY FOR THE 1980 USA OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM😃😃😃.... BUT TWO DAYS LATER.... THE USA HOCKEY TEAM HAD A MUCH SWEEEEEEEEETER VICTORY AGAINST THE RUSSIANS....USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA😃😃😃😃
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This is one terrific vid. Too bad it's not complete.
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How can I contact you regarding your videos? I would like to discuss your 1980 Lake Placid Olympic coverage.
The game against Finland is underrated. That was a very tense, close and entertaining game that could have gone either way.
And with Finland winning, USA might have finished even 4th.
Canada had better teams, but this was that once in a life time thing..
Canuckalo, thanks for your comment....for we at ImaSportsphile generally expect that Canada has a better hockey teams than the USA....especially since it is your national sport and kids all over the country grow up playing the game....like Brazilian and Mexican kids grow up playing futbol.....and yes, at least to date, it is a once in a life time thing....but if we were Canadian....we wouldn't hold our breaths on the future.
I would expect such a stupid comment from a canuck.
Bosox, I'm from Greater Boston abd plaed some HS hockey in
a Middlesex League town in the early 70's.
That US Team only had to really pull 1 upset. That Czech team they
beat had beyond terrible goaltending. In fact at the 1979 Worlds a team made up of about half the 1980 Team and a collection of US NHL players tied
Czech 2-2, with Craig in net. I followed NCAA Hockey as I graduated in 1977 from college.
I felt they absolutely could medal.
Granted didnt think Gold, but they were a talented young team.
However they played a Pre Olympic schedule that basically
mimicked an AHL level schedule,
so they weren't college players
anymore.
KMK7355 No US Team has played that grueling of a schedule leading up to the Olympics. They really gelled as a team. Now, NHL players get together for a few practices before the games begin. It just doesn’t seem the same. I had heard Craig played rock solid in the Worlds. On a separate note, Myshkin wasn’t a bad goaltender. He actually shut out the NHL All-Star team leading up to Lake Placid.
Al Michaels that hair!
Really? That's all you get out of this video?....you are an idiot
The Swede actually screened his own goalie on Baker’s goal.
the swede goalie was pelle lindberg who played for the flyers and tradically got killed on new years eve in the mid 1980's in a car accident!
No one kneeling during that National Anthem either.
One of professional hockey's top goalies is from Finland. His name I believe is Tuukka Rinne.
They all celly the same, running man, lol I love it.
These guys are absolute folklore in US history.
The fact that at that time it was amateurs (not pros) that made up Team USA. The USSR and East Germany were older and experienced skaters, they were not paid to play, but taken care of by their governments. The Olympics changed all that and, in my mind, ruined things when they allowed professionals to participate in sports competition. Momentum is everything in sports. Once you have it, it can't be stopped.
Да, выиграть у легендарной сборной СССР было настоящим чудом, потому что команда СССР была лучшей в мире и на все времена.
И именно поэтому это называется чудом на льду ... потому что правда, что некоторые из российских хоккейных команд занимают лучшие команды, чтобы когда-либо лететь. Если вам нравятся винтажные виды спорта .... тогда вы будете любить нашу веб-страницу по адресу www.imasportsphile.com
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Went there in 1975 explorer post 1348 cave explorers cool we were told of a place in the woods with smooth rocks twenty foot drop pure spring water looked one inch deep was 15ft
I'm curious as to why Herb Brooks always left down the hallway immediately after the win, especially against the Soviets and for the gold medal round. I was born 10 years after this game but was wondering if anyone knows? My guess was his emotions/tears of joy but wasn't sure if there was any other explanations for it.
he felt it would be hypocritical to celebrate with the team in which he was cast as the villain!
he wasn't very close to the team and that's the way he wanted it!
You need to be a athlete first fighting for everyone but yourself to even ponder any thought about it!! FUCKIN SCHMOOZE !!
He wanted the moment to be about the players.
@@jamessollazzo2966 He later stated that he wanted the moments to be for the Players.
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5:45 This is it, the moment of Truth 😰😥
5:54 YES!!!!! 😂🏒🏅💖🇺🇸
back when everyone loved America
Something everyone forgets that the USA won seven Olympic gold medals. Six of them were won individually by a speed skater named Eric Heiden.
Only seven, are you sure?
Didn't the Mayre [spelling] Bros. win one?
As badly divided this country is right now...I'd give anything to hear that USA chant again.
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I truly believed Ken Dryden was genuinely happy for the U.S. Hockey team. I wonder how much he resented the Soviet Union?
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Dryden was too much of an intellectual to hate anybody. I am sure he wanted the USA to win but I doubt he saw it as life and death. or got caught up in politics.
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2:52 with that accent, do you even need to put where Mark is from? Everyone here including myself, talks like that 😂
MAJIC FUCKING JOHNSON
*I was negative 6 years old when this happened swimming around in my dad's testee sack, the national anthem was so loud I could hear and feel it through the skin*
Dryden was truly dry. Cool.