Wow. That comment by Tretiak "They looked like the happiest people in the world, and we wished we were them." Love that! No bitterness, Just class from a one time greatest player in the world. (arguably)
I watched The Game with a couple of big hockey fans who were stunned that he - “the greatest goalie ever” - was taken out of the game. They still refer to him this way. And yes, it was a very generous comment, considering what that loss, that “national insult,” really meant to the Russian team.
There are moments in the Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA Finals that are amazing and emotional and pivotal for the specific team and city from which those teams reside. But there has never EVER been a moment in sports that has been that transcendent for the entire United States of America at one moment. We were ALL on the same team that night, and instead of a couple million people behind them, there were 300 million.
Danny D I can't agree more. I recall watching the game on TV as an 8 year old and remains the most exhilarating sporting event I've ever seen. Even at that young age, I understood the political implications of the game and what a Herculean task it would be for us to beat the Soviets.I get goosebumps and choked up to this day whenever I watch highlights. This game truly transcended sport. I'm very fortunate to have witnessed such an amazing cultural event in my lifetime. No other sporting event will ever come close to its importance in American history.
This was Olympic Hockey - with no pro players taking part ! Broadcasting was nothing like today - and the format different ! Nobody remembers the next two Olympic games at Sarajevo 1984 or Calgary 1988 ! The amateurs from Europe started to beat the amateurs of Canada & USA - so that they wanted NHL to take over ! There was very few European players at NHL at the time ! This all made NHL hockey more pop - with players like BORJE SALMING - WHO was a Pioneer of The Sport in Europe ! Many in Sweden has never seen his games from Toronto - even he was there for 17 seasons ! R.I.P BORJE
I continue to explain to younger fans who did not personally experience the "Miracle on Ice" that there is no way to overstate the improbability and importance of this game for this country that desperately needed something to rally around and celebrate. Al Michaels' call was the perfect icing on the cake.
Agreed. The Iran hostage situation, the Cold War, The Russians had just invaded Afghanistan, our weak president who did nothing but tell us we were the problem, and perhaps the greatest hockey team ever assembled that had played together for 10 years vs a bunch of college kids that were thrown together 6 months before the Olympics. America needed something to cheer for. Truly the greatest sports upset of all time. All this made for an incredible merging of events into one night.
Had the US not won that game, Jimmy Carter would have been reelected, Ronald Reagan would have retired to his ranch, and the US would have fallen into socialism long before AOC was born.
I can remember it still. I was 12.. and so excited because my Dad had made me a huge Hockey fan with the Broad Street Bullies of Philly.. My parents had raised me to love my country and our Flag.. I watched every game religiously, My parents didn't even get out of bed the morning we beat Finland for the Gold.. I was up all by myself to see that happen. But the Miracle on Ice.. that feeling was so amazing. I'll remember it forever.
I was in college (same age as most of the players on that team), my brother was a senior in high school. I don't remember watching the USA/USSR game, although I know I did, and when they won and they had the chance to win the gold, I stayed home from church, which was a testimony to how excited I was about this, as nothing but being at death's door would keep me from church.
I got to stay home from church that Sunday, too! My father wanted to make is go, but my mother said No! She’s a Buffalo sport fan through and through; hockey is the Yin to football’s Yang
At the time I was 12 yrs old...didn't know squat about hockey...but I was sick with the mumps and missed a lot of school around that time...so I was able to watch most of the games and my dad and I had a blast watching those games
I do not know nor have I ever met Al Michaels, but he seems to be a super great guy. Classy. I don’t think you can have the staying power in the business if you are anything but that. 40 plus years leaves a lot of time to rub a lot of people the wrong way. And he is supremely admired by his colleagues.
Bylyaletdinov gets checked by Ramsey, McClanahan is there, the puck is still loose, eleven seconds, you've got ten seconds, the countdown is going on right now, Morrow up to Silk, FIVE SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME.....DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!!
Put Finland on The World Map of Hockey ! Most of People had NO IDEA - Where was Finland at the time ! This was / is The Greatest Moment of Finlands Sports - since 1952 Helsinki Olympics ! At The Gold Medal Game after Russian Lost to Bunch of Collage Kids !
Finland was in the gold medal game and... finished 4th? How!?! There was no gold medal game or semifinals as we have nowadays. It was a four team medal round where teams played one another once and team with most points after three games won the gold. USA finished with 5, Soviets 4, Sweden 2, and Finland 1. If Finland won that game, they only would have get bronze, or a silver with good results from other game results, and going into last day there was a chance USA would finish 4th despite winning Soviets.
@@RoyalMela At The Gold Medal Game Russian Lost to Bunch of Collage Kids ! Finland Played vs Team USA - after The Russians Faced TEAM USA ! Today Many DONT remember - that The Format was Different 1980 !
@@holoholopainen1627 You don't. USA-Soviet Union was not the gold medal game, not even the semi final. Just one round robin game worth of two points in the standings.
It's a miracle if something amazing and unexpected and fortunate happens for YOU. If it happens for the OTHER GUY it's not. No one wants to be part of an act of God that went against them.
Why only good things happen because of God? That about earthquakes, wildfires, floods, virus outbreaks, wars, child molestation, mass murders.... "Oh, God works in mysterious ways. Let's pray." If that is your god, he is doing a f**ked up job. Nothing mysterious about that.
Al Michaels was beat out by Ed Fidkin for the commentator position with HOF announcer Jiggs McDonald in the LA Kings inaugural season in '67-8. Imagine that. He is still a Kings fan. Wow.
The 1960 US hockey team won gold in the Olympics . No ABC or Al Michaels therefore it didn’t happen. What Michaels said is true about the hockey team. They were magnificent.
Ed Fitkin beat out Al Michaels for the color commentator spot for the LA Kings in 67-68. That he phrases the most iconic line in the greatest upset of all time. That's a little miraculous in its own self.
Most people don't realize that for all of their greatness, the Soviet Hockey team was very vulnerable in the 1980 Olympics. Finland led them 1-0 after 1 period, it was tied 1-1 after 2 periods and then the Soviet Union outscored Finland 3-1 in the 3rd to win 4-2. The Canadians were beating the Soviet Union 3-2 after 2 periods before falling 6-4. The Canadians had near-miracle with the game tied 4-4 with about 11 minutes left. The big difference between the U.S. and Canada (or Finland) was Jim Craig and the home-ice crowd.
I think the prime rate was a bit higher at 22-24% where I was living in Silicon Valley. Devastating. Use the rule of 72's to really see how bad things were in the USA to just own a house. And then came along these darling hockey players!!!
Wow. That comment by Tretiak "They looked like the happiest people in the world, and we wished we were them." Love that! No bitterness, Just class from a one time greatest player in the world. (arguably)
I watched The Game with a couple of big hockey fans who were stunned that he - “the greatest goalie ever” - was taken out of the game. They still refer to him this way. And yes, it was a very generous comment, considering what that loss, that “national insult,” really meant to the Russian team.
My father's suggested Soviet thought,...we are going to Siberia.
And it will forever be the worst coaching decision in the history of hockey. If Tretiak stays, who knows what happens.
Oh believe me, they're still bitter. Especially Boris Mikhailov. Watch the 30 for 30 Of Miracles and Men.
Tretiak is the greatest goaltender of all time. iron wall stole greatness from us
There are moments in the Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA Finals that are amazing and emotional and pivotal for the specific team and city from which those teams reside. But there has never EVER been a moment in sports that has been that transcendent for the entire United States of America at one moment. We were ALL on the same team that night, and instead of a couple million people behind them, there were 300 million.
37 years and it's still talked about. I can see why. In all of sports- any team- 1980 US Olympic Hockey was my favorite victory of all time.
Danny D I can't agree more. I recall watching the game on TV as an 8 year old and remains the most exhilarating sporting event I've ever seen. Even at that young age, I understood the political implications of the game and what a Herculean task it would be for us to beat the Soviets.I get goosebumps and choked up to this day whenever I watch highlights. This game truly transcended sport. I'm very fortunate to have witnessed such an amazing cultural event in my lifetime. No other sporting event will ever come close to its importance in American history.
This was Olympic Hockey - with no pro players taking part ! Broadcasting was nothing like today - and the format different ! Nobody remembers the next two Olympic games at Sarajevo 1984 or Calgary 1988 ! The amateurs from Europe started to beat the amateurs of Canada & USA - so that they wanted NHL to take over ! There was very few European players at NHL at the time ! This all made NHL hockey more pop - with players like BORJE SALMING - WHO was a Pioneer of The Sport in Europe ! Many in Sweden has never seen his games from Toronto - even he was there for 17 seasons ! R.I.P BORJE
The soviets beat the NHL all stars. The USA winning would be like the dream team(Jordan and co) wouldve been beat by Spain. Its that crazy.
I would listen to Al all day every day
Fantastic interview. I would love to be able to just sit and talk with Al Michaels.
@Danny David Me Too Man He's The Best I Wish I Was Around in 1980 For That Hockey Game But I Was Born in 1991!
The greatest sporting event of the 20th century and the greatest sports call.
I continue to explain to younger fans who did not personally experience the "Miracle on Ice" that there is no way to overstate the improbability and importance of this game for this country that desperately needed something to rally around and celebrate. Al Michaels' call was the perfect icing on the cake.
Agreed. The Iran hostage situation, the Cold War, The Russians had just invaded Afghanistan, our weak president who did nothing but tell us we were the problem, and perhaps the greatest hockey team ever assembled that had played together for 10 years vs a bunch of college kids that were thrown together 6 months before the Olympics. America needed something to cheer for. Truly the greatest sports upset of all time. All this made for an incredible merging of events into one night.
Had the US not won that game, Jimmy Carter would have been reelected, Ronald Reagan would have retired to his ranch, and the US would have fallen into socialism long before AOC was born.
Greatest Victory in the history of Sports.🇺🇸
I can remember it still. I was 12.. and so excited because my Dad had made me a huge Hockey fan with the Broad Street Bullies of Philly.. My parents had raised me to love my country and our Flag.. I watched every game religiously, My parents didn't even get out of bed the morning we beat Finland for the Gold.. I was up all by myself to see that happen. But the Miracle on Ice.. that feeling was so amazing. I'll remember it forever.
I'm fortunate enough to live 90 minutes from Lake Placid. I hope everyone gets a chance to visit the village, it's absolutely magical.
I was in college (same age as most of the players on that team), my brother was a senior in high school. I don't remember watching the USA/USSR game, although I know I did, and when they won and they had the chance to win the gold, I stayed home from church, which was a testimony to how excited I was about this, as nothing but being at death's door would keep me from church.
I got to stay home from church that Sunday, too! My father wanted to make is go, but my mother said No! She’s a Buffalo sport fan through and through; hockey is the Yin to football’s Yang
What an amazing voice.
Perfect voice for NHL games on NBC!
Great comment by Michaels about the "Miracle" being the only happy memory we have of remembering where we were when...…...
One of Hockey's Greatest Moment Ever Bar None Al Michaels Great Job By U "Do U Believe in Miracles?" "YES"!
Fantastic interview. Thanks Rich and Al!
At the time I was 12 yrs old...didn't know squat about hockey...but I was sick with the mumps and missed a lot of school around that time...so I was able to watch most of the games and my dad and I had a blast watching those games
Olympic Hockey makes People " sick " - to stay at Home ! Its a Great Way to see some Great Hockey !
I do not know nor have I ever met Al Michaels, but he seems to be a super great guy. Classy. I don’t think you can have the staying power in the business if you are anything but that. 40 plus years leaves a lot of time to rub a lot of people the wrong way. And he is supremely admired by his colleagues.
If you go to Lake Placid, you walk into the 1980 ice rink (there is the 1932 rink attached to it) you can still feel the energy of that game.
there is a very interesting spiritual backstory that almost noone knows about
The greatest moment in American sports remember it well
I wish I was alive to witness this game. Truly a miracle!
calodo2002 Great job explaining this! Today, there’d be no way to keep the outcome a “secret.”
It really changed everything.
@@salicemccool9186 It wasn't a secret back then, either. I heard on the radio about the US beating the Soviets before it was broadcast on TV.
Al Michaels... a gift!
What a perfect end to the 70's. Americans walked a little taller.
Al Michaels. The best in the business.
Bylyaletdinov gets checked by Ramsey, McClanahan is there, the puck is still loose, eleven seconds, you've got ten seconds, the countdown is going on right now, Morrow up to Silk, FIVE SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME.....DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!!
And somewhere in the middle of that, Dryden said "It's over!"
@@darrinconroy4232 I hear Dryden say, "Unbelievable!" after Michaels says, "YES!"
Al is the best.
in 2 days it will be the 40th anniversary. CELEBRATION TIME!
Al Michaels covered hockey at Sapporo for NBC...
I don't remember it but I know exactly where I was. My mother was 8 months, 3 weeks pregnant with me.
Put Finland on The World Map of Hockey ! Most of People had NO IDEA - Where was Finland at the time ! This was / is The Greatest Moment of Finlands Sports - since 1952 Helsinki Olympics ! At The Gold Medal Game after Russian Lost to Bunch of Collage Kids !
Finland was in the gold medal game and... finished 4th? How!?!
There was no gold medal game or semifinals as we have nowadays. It was a four team medal round where teams played one another once and team with most points after three games won the gold. USA finished with 5, Soviets 4, Sweden 2, and Finland 1.
If Finland won that game, they only would have get bronze, or a silver with good results from other game results, and going into last day there was a chance USA would finish 4th despite winning Soviets.
@@RoyalMela At The Gold Medal Game Russian Lost to Bunch of Collage Kids ! Finland Played vs Team USA - after The Russians Faced TEAM USA ! Today Many DONT remember - that The Format was Different 1980 !
@@holoholopainen1627 You don't. USA-Soviet Union was not the gold medal game, not even the semi final. Just one round robin game worth of two points in the standings.
It's a miracle if something amazing and unexpected and fortunate happens for YOU. If it happens for the OTHER GUY it's not. No one wants to be part of an act of God that went against them.
it was an act of god, but most people don't know why that is, the real backstory
Why only good things happen because of God? That about earthquakes, wildfires, floods, virus outbreaks, wars, child molestation, mass murders.... "Oh, God works in mysterious ways. Let's pray." If that is your god, he is doing a f**ked up job. Nothing mysterious about that.
I subscribed
I would have been a lot happier if Al Michaels called NHL games on NBC and Doc Emrick called NFL Sunday night games on NBC.
Fetisov went to NJ Devils in 89, then to Detroit in 95 Al
Al Michaels was beat out by Ed Fidkin for the commentator position with HOF announcer Jiggs McDonald in the LA Kings inaugural season in '67-8. Imagine that. He is still a Kings fan. Wow.
The 1960 US hockey team won gold in the Olympics
. No ABC or Al Michaels therefore it didn’t happen.
What Michaels said is true about the hockey team. They were magnificent.
Ed Fitkin beat out Al Michaels for the color commentator spot for the LA Kings in 67-68. That he phrases the most iconic line in the greatest upset of all time. That's a little miraculous in its own self.
Some professional teams show Miracle before big games? Imagine showing that to Ovechkin before a playoff game
This story should have been a Canadian story. They started it all and its their national pastime. The fact that it is an US story is truly a miracle.
Most people don't realize that for all of their greatness, the Soviet Hockey team was very vulnerable in the 1980 Olympics. Finland led them 1-0 after 1 period, it was tied 1-1 after 2 periods and then the Soviet Union outscored Finland 3-1 in the 3rd to win 4-2. The Canadians were beating the Soviet Union 3-2 after 2 periods before falling 6-4. The Canadians had near-miracle with the game tied 4-4 with about 11 minutes left.
The big difference between the U.S. and Canada (or Finland) was Jim Craig and the home-ice crowd.
Nothing comes close to this event.
@Anthony Mcqueen Agreed 100% Wish I Was Around in 1980 LOL!
I think the prime rate was a bit higher at 22-24% where I was living in Silicon Valley. Devastating. Use the rule of 72's to really see how bad things were in the USA to just own a house. And then came along these darling hockey players!!!
Jersey city
Hockey team Woodbridge
"he believed in debacles"....lmao
Thing about this world, about America specifically…part of me just has some suspicion. If this happened on foreign soil id trust it a little more.