The greatest Olympic team ever to play and win a gold, they represented the true spirit of America and demonstrated the power of belief. As a Canadian who loves my country and hockey, I have never been prouder of a hockey team, a country and it is why I will always love the American spirit and their people, USA, USA USA!
I have always thought that the coolest part was Herb Brooks - heading to the locker room when the game ended. Later - he said that it was their victory - and they deserved all of the adulation from the fans!!!!!!! Pure class!!!!!!!!
He also needed a *moment* because he made the Unbelievable Happen. No he didn't play, and it was their moment. But he gave them the tools and yeah I absolutely understand needing a few minutes to oneself after a *Legit Miracle*
I remember the day the USA Olympic Hockey Team won the gold medal over Finland. I was at a bowling alley in Casper, Wyoming, and I recall everyone stopped bowling to crowd around and watch the elevated color TV during the final minutes and were cheering loudly as the team clinched the gold!
There was no gold medal game, and no semifinals either. It was a round robin tournament and four top teams played a round robin medal round. USA had 2-1-0 record and 5 points and won gold. Soviets had 2-0-1 record and 4 points and won silver. Sweden had 0-2-1 record and 2 points and won bronze. Finland had 0-1-2 record and 1 point and w finished 4th. After preliminary group plays, two top teams from both groups advanced to medal round, but did not play the other team again and that game score carried over to medal round and teams only played two games, against both teams from other group. Soviets beat Finland on pool play and USA and Sweden tied. So Soviets had 2 points coming into medal round, USA and Sweden had 1 point, Finland 0. So even after USA beat Soviets, it was still very wide open going into final day. If Finland beat USA by a large margin, and Soviets tied Sweden, all teams had 3 points and then it was up to goal differentials and USA might finish even 4th. If USA lost to Finland, and Russians beat Sweden, like they did, Soviets would have won the gold, USA or Sweden for silver based on their goal differentials since they tied their game.
Royal he never said that was The Gold Medal Game. Further the US record for Medal Round competition was 2-0-1. US carried its tie with Sweden into Medal Round.
Damn.....I'm crying like a baby again after all these years. This is a moment in time that I will remember forever. THIS is my favorite moment in any sport. USA! USA! ::sobbing::
Old glory draped across Jimmy Craig's shoulders looking in the crown for his Dad. I still get teary eyes watching this and I was there to see it live. Greatest sports moment in American history. If they can give George M. Cohan the congressional gold medal for his patriotic songs of WW II, then these guys should be granted the same honor for what they did for this country. RIP Herb. You died a hero.
My Best friends; Robert Gallo, Tony Busa and I (Robert Sutton) were at The Russian Game (semi final) and obtained Tickets for the Gold Medal Game that Sunday Morning - YES ! We were there, as Millions claim ... I still have All The Tickets and inside photo's to prove it. It was absolutely a beyond real moment, and still causes tears for each of us. We celebrated our Lake Placid Olympic Trip by walking down the Main Street Sunday late afternoon as Snow began to fall - Perfect. We Still Believe in Miracles !
The win over USSR wasn't a "semi final" game. It was a Round Robin tournament system in 1980. It was all about total points. These days, it's a bracket system. The USA team had to beat Finland to get the Gold. If the Americans tied or lost to the Finns, the Gold Medal could have been lost. A win gave them the assurance that no matter of the outcome of the Russia-Sweden game, the US had the gold. Check out Wikipedia to verify my memories of seeing it live...
Greatest achievement in sports and can't be duplicated. 37th anniversary and agreed brings me to tears. When so often life disappoints this is one time you make up for all of those disappointments.
I remember watching this with my family as a little kid (7 years old) and crying because I was so happy. What an amazing team and an amazing series of events that led up to winning the Gold medal.
Still gives me chills when I see this Bill Bakers late goal vs Sweden very well saved the entire tournament how many Goalie masks do we see now a days like the one Jim Craig wore
When I speak with friends about how dismal America is now I ask them, "When's our next hockey game?" I'm in my mid-50's as my friends are. They don't have to ask what I mean by that.
What a lot of people forget is that, even with the win over the Soviets, the Americans still needed to win this game to even be assured of the bronze medal. The medal round at that time was round-robin, not single elimination.
Ikr especially back when the united states wasn’t a good hockey country to. This was a team of high school and college kids that won gold against the worlds best pros
@@ballsonyourmomschin1781 exactly man, it was literally like taking a junior college team and having them play a pro team in football and hoping for the best...yes, it was THAT crazy...I might have actually understated it...this is a group of 22 year Olds on average, not 1 pro among them vs an entire team of season professionals...and the soviets beat the us in an exhibition 13-3 a few weeks prior at Madison Square (which id you know anything about hockey...13 goals? Thats absurd...)...but not when it mattered
@@MarkSmithhhh it was a huge moment for American born hockey players. And a little extra thing is that the coach and 16 of the 22 players were all from Minnesota. Weird that there all from the same area they must not have had a wide recruiting net
RCPlanes59 imho what makes the "do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!" what it is, is the yes. Pure, unadulterated, genuine emotion from al michaels. You can tell that yes comes from the bottom of his heart
This Impossible Dream Comes True statement is the most POIGNANT line in sports history IMO. The Do You Believe In Miracles line the most INCREDULOUS. Both GREAT!!!
In the history of important American Events that brought our people together this 2 week period in 1980 in Upstate New York in February ranks right up their at the top....."Only The Lake Was Placid!!!!!".....
Crazy how everyone forgets about this game because of team USA’s win over the USSR. That’s how major that win was and it was just essentially a playoff game
It wouldn't resonate today like it has if they lost to Finland. Would have ended up with no medal or a bronze. There is a reason Brooks told them if you lose to Finland, you'll take it to your fucking graves.
I was 11 years old watching this USA Team with my grandfather. One of THE greatest memories I still have!! Will NEVER forget Al Michaels with the words...."Do you believe in Miracles", he will forever be my favorite sports commentator!!!
Prior to 1980,vino African Americans had ever played in the NHL. Two years later Val James from NY became the 1st US African American to play in the NHL. 44 years later Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Kyle Okposo, Jordan Harris, Jalen Chatfield and Dakota Joshua all skate regularly in the NHL. At least one or two more African Americans from the US played in the NHL.
Again, Dillon is correct. There were different rules back then, completely a round-robin tournament. There was no "medal" round back then, like there is now, with four teams playing in the semis for the 3 medals.
I watched this moment as 12 year old kid. I was jumping up for joy after we beat the Russians, and shedding tears of joy hugging my brother chanting "USA, USA" after we won the gold 🪙
My father and I watched the 1980 Olympics including two hockey games. The "Miracle on Ice" game and gold-metal game with Finland. I had to explain the game to him because he was a football fan and, let's face it, hockey wasn't a sport widely followed in south Louisiana. But I remember the two of us letting out a few whoops and hollers at the end of each game. I remember the Russian skaters standing around on the ice with a stunned look, total disbelief not merely written on their faces, but plastered there. It was an exciting time for the USA Olympics fans. The hockey team became national superstars for a while. It is hard to realize that this happened over 40 years ago now. Dad passed in 1982 so he never had a chance to revel in the USA Womens Soccer team successes and he missed the chance to see the River Ridge team win the Little League World Series. But I think he would have enjoyed both events.
I watched this game but live all those years ago and it still seems unfathomable what those kids accomplished. although the segment didn't show it, I still get choked up with the scene of goaltender Jim Craig with "Old Glory" draped across his shoulders looking into the crowd for his best friend, his father. if you wrote the script for a movie, noone would believe it. I always wondered why they were never awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their contribution to American patriotism just as George M. Cohan was during the second world for his songs of patriotism like " you're a grand old flag" and "over there". what they did for American's morale could never be repaid. so I say to all the members of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team and especially the memory of Herb Brooks, then you from the bottom of my Red, White, & Blue heart.
Kevin Miller America still does mean something to hundreds of millions of people. Here and abroad. It is just sad we have idiots that trash our country and speak so badly about it. The ones abroad wish they were here. The ones that are here and trash it, well they are just spoiled and 99% of the time, they are the ones wanting handouts. This country was built by dreamers and doers. Not by lazy POS that we see alot of today.
Actual conversation one time in couple's therapy: Therapist: "Let's talk about emotions. When was the last time you cried, Brandon?" Me: "August 11, 2013." "Therapist: "That's a pretty specific date. Why that day? What happened?" Me: "Herb Brooks passed away." Therapist: Wife: Therapist: Wife: Therapist: Wife: Me: "That was the wrong answer, wasn't it?"
I was a junior in high school and stayed home that day and watched it with my mom (dad was at work). Because of the popularity of this team, my high school started an ice hockey program that still exists to this day. I got to be on the first team and I stunk!
This was not a gold medal game. Back then such thing didn't exist. It was a round robin medal round with four teams where a win gave you 2 points, tie 1 point and 0 for a loss.
This tournament was a who's who in the future of the NHL, in ADDITION to the drama of the result. Where was Jari Kurri (Gretzky's future Tonto) in the third period of this final game? In the only game the US didn't win, they faced Pelle Lindbergh of Sweden in the net. If he hadn't subsequently driven his Porsche into a wall, he could have been one of the all-time greats. And, speaking of goalies, you had Ken Dryden (who had the best ten year run in NHL history) singing the praises of Jim Craig, who was performing at an unconscious level during these Olympics, even while the legendary Tretiak was benched.
Kurri was still 19 in the 1980 Olympics. It took him and the Gretzky, Messier and Moog Oilers 4 years from 1980 to win The Cup. Kurri had no one close to Gretzky or Messier on Team Finland to help drive his line.
What many don;t realize is, had the US lost this game then the Soviets would have won gold, despite the result from game before.. Medal round was a round robin back then.. Soviets took Silver, Swedes Bronze, for Finns it was Bronze or nothing in this game.
I still love the story the team tells about what Herb Brooks said before this game. "If you lose this game, you'll take it to your fucking grave." *stops, walks away and turns back around* "Your fucking grave!" Special coach, special team, special circumstances. Nothing like it will ever happen again.
Its hard to imagine a group of athletes aged 19-22 being told this and completely absorbing and accepting the comment as fact. US hockey was not and wouldn't for another 10-15 years on par with USSR and Canada in hockey respectively. So everyone of them knew this was their only chance at Olympic and sports history.
No not the jets even though the jets will never win again! Did you watch the HBO documentry? Sportscaster John McCay said it best.... The USA hockey team win over the USSR was like a college football team beating the Pitsburgh Steelers after they won their 4th Super Bowl.
@@michaelmohrle3138 Bingo. Back then the only players in the NHL were Canadian and the odd American, Check, etc. For a group of college kids to beat the mighty Soviet juggernaut was unheard of. Like if the 1992 Angola basketball team beat the Dream Team with Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
KHayes, When the 1980 Olympics were played there were roughly 2 US players per US Team. Boston had Bobby Miller and Mike Milbury (Mass guys) Montreal had Rod Langway, Rick Chartraw and Chris Nilan Rangers had Fotiu Flyers had Holmgren and Gorence North Stars had Fidler Nordiques had Ftorek Whalers had Mark Howe, Larry Pleau and Dave Debol Washington had Tom Rowe and Pete Scamurra. There were roughly one Euro per NHL Team also.
The current generation needs to watch this to understand what real heroes are. This was a group of men who did something that they weren't good enough to do. They rescued our country. This team is America, and they represent everything America was and can be again.
They beat Russia 1-0 in the Semi-Finals in 02. I was on the edge of my seat in the third period. Then there's 2010 where the scored to tie the game with 30 seconds left in the Gold Medal game only to lose in OT to Canada. I still say 2014 Team Canada was the greatest hockey team ever, including the Soviet juggernauts. They had 6 all-star defensemen, Carey Price in goal, the best defensive forwards in Bergeron and Towes. That defense could have stopped an alien invasion. Didn't they allow just 4 goals the entire Olympics?
I remember watching them get crushed in Madison Square Garden by the Soviets. They have no chance to win the gold but maybe get the bronze. AMAZING and it brings back all the emotions all these years later.
They had a legit chance at Silver. Sports Illustrated picked them to win Bronze which meant having to beat Sweden and Czechoslovakia for all intents and purposes. Czechoslovakia had horrible goal tending and they paid for by not qualifying for the medal round.
He fell asleep coming back from my home town Eveleth MN. To Saint Paul never got the see the premier of this movie, Kurt hung out with Herb for a year to make this Movie
Canada has the largest amount of people playing hockey in the world. So people can stop looking foolish talking about US population size difference. US could have 1 billion people it doesnt mean anything if the people are not playing the sport. Just enjoy the clip and chill.
Minnesota is all about hockey if we get four other states as into it as us we will easily be the better overall country hockey wise. I agree though americans are too big on many other sports but canada is all about hockey. My state is too
We hold it down here in Mass as well. But hockey is getting much more exposure with Gary Buttmans expansion into the south in the last couple of decades. Too bad he wouldn't allow the US and Canadas best players to go to Pyeongchang. Thanks to him, North American hockey looked weak, while the KHLs best are tearing it up for the Russians.. er, whatever they're calling themselves.
Anyone know where to find the Karl Malden original Miracle on Ice movie ? It is so good. He’s perfect as Herb Brooks. When I saw Kurt Russell do it I was actually embarrassed watching it. And I like Kurt Russell.
Hockey fans in Greater Boston, Minnesota and Wisconsin knew who these guys were 2 years before the Olympics. They were All State HS hockey players in the mid 70's.
Back then this was still a round robin format. If the Americans lost this game they wouldn't have placed at all. Finland would have won the gold and USSR the silver. Herb Brooks walked into the lockerroom before the game and coldly said "If you lose this game tonight you'll take it to your fucking grave." He turned to walk out and said "To your fucking grave..."
Umm... no, not really. Finland was pretty much out for the gold race and only had theoretical chance to win it all. After preliminary group plays, two top teams from both groups advanced to medal round, but did not play the other team again and that game score carried over to medal round and teams only played two games, against both teams from other group. Soviets beat Finland on pool play and USA and Sweden tied. So Soviets had 2 points coming into medal round, USA and Sweden had 1 point, Finland 0. So even after USA beat Soviets, it was still very wide open going into final day. If Finland beat USA by a large margin, and Soviets tied Sweden, all teams had 3 points and then it was up to goal differentials and USA might finish even 4th. If USA lost to Finland, and Russians beat Sweden, like they did, Soviets would have won the gold, USA or Sweden for silver based on their goal differentials since they tied their game.
Agree. USA kid shout open his eyes. USA hockey team never gets high in expectations and it doesnt matter how many NHL stars they have. Even at last World hockey championship when USA got bronze everyone was like ''WTF??". Sensation. Btw go Canada
The greatest Olympic team ever to play and win a gold, they represented the true spirit of America and demonstrated the power of belief. As a Canadian who loves my country and hockey, I have never been prouder of a hockey team, a country and it is why I will always love the American spirit and their people, USA, USA USA!
Tom Dagenais thanks, Canadians rock we love u guys
@PROUD-E kaapo kakko
ny rangers!
PROUD-E Finland sucks big American cock
Well said, I could not put it any better than you had just done. I salute you, and label you the "Wordman."
When pertaining to Hockey, Canada taught us well. North America rules, when it comes to Spirit!!
I have always thought that the coolest part was Herb Brooks - heading to the locker room when the game ended. Later - he said that it was their victory - and they deserved all of the adulation from the fans!!!!!!! Pure class!!!!!!!!
RIP Coach Brooks
Nah he left the arena to cry like a baby
@@hotdogwater7037
Have respect.
He also needed a *moment* because he made the Unbelievable Happen. No he didn't play, and it was their moment. But he gave them the tools and yeah I absolutely understand needing a few minutes to oneself after a *Legit Miracle*
@@daboys1215 and yes RIP Coach. 🙏 Am I correct in that they named the Arena after him in Lake Placid? I've never been
I remember the day the USA Olympic Hockey Team won the gold medal over Finland. I was at a bowling alley in Casper, Wyoming, and I recall everyone stopped bowling to crowd around and watch the elevated color TV during the final minutes and were cheering loudly as the team clinched the gold!
There was no gold medal game, and no semifinals either. It was a round robin tournament and four top teams played a round robin medal round.
USA had 2-1-0 record and 5 points and won gold.
Soviets had 2-0-1 record and 4 points and won silver.
Sweden had 0-2-1 record and 2 points and won bronze.
Finland had 0-1-2 record and 1 point and w finished 4th.
After preliminary group plays, two top teams from both groups advanced to medal round, but did not play the other team again and that game score carried over to medal round and teams only played two games, against both teams from other group. Soviets beat Finland on pool play and USA and Sweden tied. So Soviets had 2 points coming into medal round, USA and Sweden had 1 point, Finland 0.
So even after USA beat Soviets, it was still very wide open going into final day. If Finland beat USA by a large margin, and Soviets tied Sweden, all teams had 3 points and then it was up to goal differentials and USA might finish even 4th. If USA lost to Finland, and Russians beat Sweden, like they did, Soviets would have won the gold, USA or Sweden for silver based on their goal differentials since they tied their game.
Royal he never said that was The Gold Medal Game.
Further the US record for Medal Round competition was 2-0-1.
US carried its tie with Sweden
into Medal Round.
I was skiing at hogadon
Damn.....I'm crying like a baby again after all these years. This is a moment in time that I will remember forever. THIS is my favorite moment in any sport. USA! USA! ::sobbing::
Old glory draped across Jimmy Craig's shoulders looking in the crown for his Dad. I still get teary eyes watching this and I was there to see it live. Greatest sports moment in American history. If they can give George M. Cohan the congressional gold medal for his patriotic songs of WW II, then these guys should be granted the same honor for what they did for this country. RIP Herb. You died a hero.
Still makes my heart blow up - what a great moment for America!
My Best friends; Robert Gallo, Tony Busa and I (Robert Sutton) were at The Russian Game (semi final) and obtained Tickets for the Gold Medal Game that Sunday Morning - YES ! We were there, as Millions claim ... I still have All The Tickets and inside photo's to prove it. It was absolutely a beyond real moment, and still causes tears for each of us. We celebrated our Lake Placid Olympic Trip by walking down the Main Street Sunday late afternoon as Snow began to fall - Perfect. We Still Believe in Miracles !
The win over USSR wasn't a "semi final" game. It was a Round Robin tournament system in 1980. It was all about total points. These days, it's a bracket system.
The USA team had to beat Finland to get the Gold. If the Americans tied or lost to the Finns, the Gold Medal could have been lost. A win gave them the assurance that no matter of the outcome of the Russia-Sweden game, the US had the gold.
Check out Wikipedia to verify my memories of seeing it live...
From nobodys to Gold medalists in a matter of weeks. Do you believe in miracles? YES!!!
Zepp Talasma The Soviets had skill, we had heart.
Zepp Talasma actually yes a miracle
Heart trumps talent every time.
HabsFanMTL88 Not every time. Sometimes skill is too much for the heart. In this case, it didn't work out that way.
yup major difference between skill and heart as Herb Brooks said 2 his boys gentlemen u don't have enough talent 2 win on talent alone.
And Herb just walks off down the tunnel. It was always about the boys. What a great coach and a great man.
"This impossible dream comes true!" ~ Al Micheals February 24, 1980 Lake Placid, NY.
Liked it better than do you believe in miracles.
Greatest achievement in sports and can't be duplicated. 37th anniversary and agreed brings me to tears. When so often life disappoints this is one time you make up for all of those disappointments.
I was 7 and mom and dad and I watched. Jumped up and down and cheered. Glad I am old enough to remember this..
Thanks for posting this. I was 9 years old, and I'll never ever forget it.
I remember watching this with my family as a little kid (7 years old) and crying because I was so happy. What an amazing team and an amazing series of events that led up to winning the Gold medal.
Herb Brooks, coach of the century!!!
Still gives me chills when I see this Bill Bakers late goal vs Sweden very well saved the entire tournament how many Goalie masks do we see now a days like the one Jim Craig wore
The greatest display of sheer will and talent we will ever see
Will I can get on board with, but they weren't more talented than
the USSR. Come on dude.
USA needs a miracle more than ever right now.
When I speak with friends about how dismal America is now I ask them, "When's our next hockey game?" I'm in my mid-50's as my friends are. They don't have to ask what I mean by that.
how about winning next years soccer world cup that would be a bigger than this
@@robertosso5210 nothing is ever going to top this, ever
@@Noah62405 no it never will top this but if usa hapoens to win the world cup in soccer it will come close to this
No not even close.
The 1963 NCAA All Stars beating Lombardi's Packers would be still more an upset than soccer.
This was great and all but beating the Soviet Union was a bigger moment
What a lot of people forget is that, even with the win over the Soviets, the Americans still needed to win this game to even be assured of the bronze medal. The medal round at that time was round-robin, not single elimination.
@@jdb316 actually I think they needed to win this game to move on to the game against Finland to win the medal
Ikr especially back when the united states wasn’t a good hockey country to. This was a team of high school and college kids that won gold against the worlds best pros
@@ballsonyourmomschin1781 exactly man, it was literally like taking a junior college team and having them play a pro team in football and hoping for the best...yes, it was THAT crazy...I might have actually understated it...this is a group of 22 year Olds on average, not 1 pro among them vs an entire team of season professionals...and the soviets beat the us in an exhibition 13-3 a few weeks prior at Madison Square (which id you know anything about hockey...13 goals? Thats absurd...)...but not when it mattered
@@MarkSmithhhh it was a huge moment for American born hockey players. And a little extra thing is that the coach and 16 of the 22 players were all from Minnesota. Weird that there all from the same area they must not have had a wide recruiting net
"The impossible dream comes true!" should be the line we revere so much.
Gives me chills
It was actually, This Impossible Dream, but yes I think this line was better than the Miracle line.
+KMK7355 .I.was telling someone the other day this call.would be iconic except it was 48 hours too late.
RCPlanes59 imho what makes the "do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!" what it is, is the yes. Pure, unadulterated, genuine emotion from al michaels. You can tell that yes comes from the bottom of his heart
This Impossible Dream Comes True statement is the most POIGNANT line in sports history IMO.
The Do You Believe In Miracles line the most INCREDULOUS.
Both GREAT!!!
Not only the greatest upset in Olympic history but the greatest commentary ! Al Michaels
Can't believe it's been 40 years, I remember this game like it was yesterday. So much has changed
It will forever bring a tear to my eye. What a great group of men. They brought us such joy.
In the history of important American Events that brought our people together this 2 week period in 1980 in Upstate New York in February ranks right up their at the top....."Only The Lake Was Placid!!!!!".....
What passion and emotion! I remember watching this at my aunts house on Sunday on my 11th birthday
I was 9 when this happen. Watched it with my sister and my Parents it was an awesome day
I was -7 years old when this happened and I'll NEVER forget it!
I still get chills, watching this.
Crazy how everyone forgets about this game because of team USA’s win over the USSR. That’s how major that win was and it was just essentially a playoff game
It wouldn't resonate today like it
has if they lost to Finland. Would
have ended up with no medal or a bronze.
There is a reason Brooks told them if you lose to Finland, you'll take it to your fucking graves.
I remember that day..... proud to be an American
Never gets old..!!
I was 11 years old watching this USA Team with my grandfather. One of THE greatest memories I still have!! Will NEVER forget Al Michaels with the words...."Do you believe in Miracles", he will forever be my favorite sports commentator!!!
My dad wasn’t a hockey fan but he watched this live and he said all he felt was pride!
Prior to 1980,vino African Americans had ever played in
the NHL.
Two years later Val James from
NY became the 1st US African American to play in the NHL.
44 years later Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Kyle Okposo, Jordan Harris, Jalen Chatfield and Dakota Joshua all skate regularly in the
NHL. At least one or two more African Americans from the US
played in the NHL.
Again, Dillon is correct. There were different rules back then, completely a round-robin tournament. There was no "medal" round back then, like there is now, with four teams playing in the semis for the 3 medals.
44 yrs ago today and it was a MUST WIN GAME for the gold
I watched this moment as 12 year old kid. I was jumping up for joy after we beat the Russians, and shedding tears of joy hugging my brother chanting "USA, USA" after we won the gold 🪙
When college kids beat the Russians and Fins!!!
Did buddy just huck his stick into the crowd at the end there? lol
+blargish27 Rest assured the fan who took that stick in the teeth walked away with memories they would cherish for the rest of their lives.
Imagine how much they could get if they sold it.
My father and I watched the 1980 Olympics including two hockey games. The "Miracle on Ice" game and gold-metal game with Finland. I had to explain the game to him because he was a football fan and, let's face it, hockey wasn't a sport widely followed in south Louisiana. But I remember the two of us letting out a few whoops and hollers at the end of each game. I remember the Russian skaters standing around on the ice with a stunned look, total disbelief not merely written on their faces, but plastered there. It was an exciting time for the USA Olympics fans. The hockey team became national superstars for a while. It is hard to realize that this happened over 40 years ago now. Dad passed in 1982 so he never had a chance to revel in the USA Womens Soccer team successes and he missed the chance to see the River Ridge team win the Little League World Series. But I think he would have enjoyed both events.
one of the most underrated moments in usa hockey history
One of? Easily the most.
I watched this game but live all those years ago and it still seems unfathomable what those kids accomplished.
although the segment didn't show it, I still get choked up with the scene of goaltender Jim Craig with "Old Glory" draped across his shoulders looking into the crowd for his best friend, his father. if you wrote the script for a movie, noone would believe it. I always wondered why they were never awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their contribution to American patriotism just as George M. Cohan was during the second world for his songs of patriotism like " you're a grand old flag" and "over there".
what they did for American's morale could never be repaid. so I say to all the members of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team and especially the memory of Herb Brooks, then you from the bottom of my Red, White, & Blue heart.
Richard Gallerani
For the ages...
USA USA USA USA USA!!!! wow haven't heard a chanted like that since 1980...back when America ment something..
Kevin Miller America still does mean something to hundreds of millions of people. Here and abroad. It is just sad we have idiots that trash our country and speak so badly about it. The ones abroad wish they were here. The ones that are here and trash it, well they are just spoiled and 99% of the time, they are the ones wanting handouts. This country was built by dreamers and doers. Not by lazy POS that we see alot of today.
Watch a Trump rally. USA USA USA
Trump sucks and maggots like you are a plague on America.
He is a seditionist, sexual predator
and convicted felon. Keep kissing his ass shithead.
Trump is a sedionist, sexual abuser and convicted felon.
Convicted felon Trump?
Actual conversation one time in couple's therapy:
Therapist: "Let's talk about emotions. When was the last time you cried, Brandon?"
Me: "August 11, 2013."
"Therapist: "That's a pretty specific date. Why that day? What happened?"
Me: "Herb Brooks passed away."
Therapist:
Wife:
Therapist:
Wife:
Therapist:
Wife:
Me: "That was the wrong answer, wasn't it?"
Yeah because Brooks died 2004.
The greatest sports saga of all time!
i love how herb was still giving them directions on what play to make next with just 7 secongs left
Kurt Russell out them through really intense workouts.
Love that movie so much
I was a junior in high school and stayed home that day and watched it with my mom (dad was at work). Because of the popularity of this team, my high school started an ice hockey program that still exists to this day. I got to be on the first team and I stunk!
What High School?
@@KMK7355 Toms River East in New Jersey.
Ahhh ... this game was on a Sunday.
@@thehaughtcorner My bad, brother. It was Friday's game against the Soviets that I stayed home.
Toms River is a Little League powerhouse!!!!
Am watching the 2019 IIHF USA vs FIN Gold medal final
How could people stand not having the score on the screen at all times.
They didn't know anything else. That technology wasn't invented yet
I wish I would have been alive to see this.
34 years after this game and they still haven't won the gold again.
There have only been 8 Olympics since so it's not that bad.
+Gillian Campbell They didn't win gold in 1980... they won a war.
Nibble Mcnibbs neither world championships that are every year, and there is the world cup too
Gillian Campbell Yep, and even with NHL pros.
Michael Mohrle well that means that the other countries use their nhl pros too
February 24, 1980: The Impossible Dream Came True
ill never forget this!!!!!!!it was a great time in america
In 1980, the United States Hockey Team Wins the Gold Medal Game at 2:45.
This was not a gold medal game. Back then such thing didn't exist. It was a round robin medal round with four teams where a win gave you 2 points, tie 1 point and 0 for a loss.
God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This tournament was a who's who in the future of the NHL, in ADDITION to the drama of the result. Where was Jari Kurri (Gretzky's future Tonto) in the third period of this final game? In the only game the US didn't win, they faced Pelle Lindbergh of Sweden in the net. If he hadn't subsequently driven his Porsche into a wall, he could have been one of the all-time greats. And, speaking of goalies, you had Ken Dryden (who had the best ten year run in NHL history) singing the praises of Jim Craig, who was performing at an unconscious level during these Olympics, even while the legendary Tretiak was benched.
Kurri was still 19 in the 1980
Olympics. It took him and the Gretzky, Messier and Moog Oilers 4 years from 1980 to win The Cup.
Kurri had no one close to Gretzky or Messier on Team Finland to help drive his line.
Simply the greatest upset of all time, and the greatest game of all time.
What many don;t realize is, had the US lost this game then the Soviets would have won gold, despite the result from game before.. Medal round was a round robin back then.. Soviets took Silver, Swedes Bronze, for Finns it was Bronze or nothing in this game.
I still love the story the team tells about what Herb Brooks said before this game.
"If you lose this game, you'll take it to your fucking grave." *stops, walks away and turns back around* "Your fucking grave!"
Special coach, special team, special circumstances. Nothing like it will ever happen again.
Its hard to imagine a group of athletes aged 19-22 being told this
and completely absorbing and accepting the comment as fact.
US hockey was not and wouldn't for another 10-15 years on par with USSR and Canada in hockey
respectively. So everyone of them knew this was their only chance
at Olympic and sports history.
No not the jets even though the jets will never win again! Did you watch the HBO documentry? Sportscaster John McCay said it best.... The USA hockey team win over the USSR was like a college football team beating the Pitsburgh Steelers after they won their 4th Super Bowl.
Ps A CANADIAN college football team beating the Pittsburgh Steelers aftet their 4th Superbowl
@@michaelmohrle3138 Bingo. Back then the only players in the NHL were Canadian and the odd American, Check, etc. For a group of college kids to beat the mighty Soviet juggernaut was unheard of. Like if the 1992 Angola basketball team beat the Dream Team with Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
KHayes,
When the 1980 Olympics were played there were roughly 2 US players per US Team.
Boston had Bobby Miller and Mike Milbury (Mass guys)
Montreal had Rod Langway, Rick Chartraw and Chris Nilan
Rangers had Fotiu
Flyers had Holmgren and Gorence
North Stars had Fidler
Nordiques had Ftorek
Whalers had Mark Howe, Larry Pleau and Dave Debol
Washington had Tom Rowe and Pete Scamurra.
There were roughly one Euro per NHL Team also.
This transforms me back to 12 years old in an instant.
The current generation needs to watch this to understand what real heroes are. This was a group of men who did something that they weren't good enough to do. They rescued our country. This team is America, and they represent everything America was and can be again.
“This is impossible dream comes true!” is as iconic to me as “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
I agree.
This Impossible Dream line was the most poignant and
Do You Believe line most incredulous.
I fuckin love hokey
I don't trust anyone that doesnt!
Pokey?
That was one their only olympic glories in ice hockey. They have since never been able to equal this performance.
Stephie Steph but won improbable Gold in 1960 Olympics. 1972 Silver medal.
They beat Russia 1-0 in the Semi-Finals in 02. I was on the edge of my seat in the third period.
Then there's 2010 where the scored to tie the game with 30 seconds left in the Gold Medal game only to lose in OT to Canada.
I still say 2014 Team Canada was the greatest hockey team ever, including the Soviet juggernauts. They had 6 all-star defensemen, Carey Price in goal, the best defensive forwards in Bergeron and Towes. That defense could have stopped an alien invasion. Didn't they allow just 4 goals the entire Olympics?
I remember watching them get crushed in Madison Square Garden by the Soviets. They have no chance to win the gold but maybe get the bronze. AMAZING and it brings back all the emotions all these years later.
They had a legit chance at Silver.
Sports Illustrated picked them to
win Bronze which meant having to beat Sweden and Czechoslovakia
for all intents and purposes.
Czechoslovakia had horrible goal tending and they paid for by not qualifying for the medal round.
The most "talented" team doesn't always take the prize.
Sometimes, the most "together" team takes it.
That team was tight.
He fell asleep coming back from my home town Eveleth MN. To Saint Paul never got the see the premier of this movie, Kurt hung out with Herb for a year to make this Movie
These guys and there coach are legendary completely legit the best / greatest hockey team ever 🇺🇸🇺🇸
The cover of Sports Illustrated had nothing but the picture of the guys on the ice. First time it never said anything but SI and the date
I sat on the edge of my bed back at college screaming YES YES
Like Ken Dryden said, "Unbelievable!"
Any 2019?
i've played on this rink almost 4 to 5 times and will be this year as a bantam. It is the same scoreboard from 1980 still used there. haha
Jim Craig was on FIRE!!!
"If you lose this game, you'll take it to your fucking grave"
I wonder what was going on in the Finish goalie's head when he was shaking his head with 33 seconds left
@M He's thinking I gave up two soft goals in the third period to give the USA the lead.
He was mad because with a tie Finland had a chance to win a medal, maybe even a silver with a win over USA, but with a loss it was 4th.
Finland finally broke the Gold Medal curse after 42 years.
Well they were not gonna win here either, even if they won this game. They lost, finished fourth with only one point from three medal round games.
I'm guessing the 33 thumbs down are the entire Russian team...players, coaches and assistants etc.
I still get goosebumps watching it. 🙂
No, probably zoomers who think everyone and anything US flag is racist.
Canada has the largest amount of people playing hockey in the world. So people can stop looking foolish talking about US population size difference. US could have 1 billion people it doesnt mean anything if the people are not playing the sport. Just enjoy the clip and chill.
Minnesota is all about hockey if we get four other states as into it as us we will easily be the better overall country hockey wise. I agree though americans are too big on many other sports but canada is all about hockey. My state is too
+High Five Chicago loves it's hockey too
Monster Gaming not nearly as many hockey players from that city/state though. Lots of fans though, yes.
+High Five we actually have a lot of hockey players
We hold it down here in Mass as well. But hockey is getting much more exposure with Gary Buttmans expansion into the south in the last couple of decades. Too bad he wouldn't allow the US and Canadas best players to go to Pyeongchang. Thanks to him, North American hockey looked weak, while the KHLs best are tearing it up for the Russians.. er, whatever they're calling themselves.
The Ron Paul Liberty Report.
43 years ago today!
Wasn’t alive at that time. Wasn’t even close to being alive at that time. But the USA in the 80s and 70s is what we need today.
Anyone know where to find the Karl Malden original Miracle on Ice movie ? It is so good. He’s perfect as Herb Brooks. When I saw Kurt Russell do it I was actually embarrassed watching it. And I like Kurt Russell.
How great was Al Michaels "who were they a week ago" "we know them all now"...
Hockey fans in Greater Boston, Minnesota and Wisconsin knew who these guys were 2 years before the Olympics.
They were All State HS hockey players in the mid 70's.
I watched this with my brother.
"The impossible dream comes true!"
February 24, 1980.
33 years ago tonight :)
Somehow I liked it more when they beat the Soviet team.
@2:50 Jim Craig's expression says it all
Back then this was still a round robin format. If the Americans lost this game they wouldn't have placed at all. Finland would have won the gold and USSR the silver. Herb Brooks walked into the lockerroom before the game and coldly said "If you lose this game tonight you'll take it to your fucking grave." He turned to walk out and said "To your fucking grave..."
Umm... no, not really. Finland was pretty much out for the gold race and only had theoretical chance to win it all.
After preliminary group plays, two top teams from both groups advanced to medal round, but did not play the other team again and that game score carried over to medal round and teams only played two games, against both teams from other group. Soviets beat Finland on pool play and USA and Sweden tied. So Soviets had 2 points coming into medal round, USA and Sweden had 1 point, Finland 0.
So even after USA beat Soviets, it was still very wide open going into final day. If Finland beat USA by a large margin, and Soviets tied Sweden, all teams had 3 points and then it was up to goal differentials and USA might finish even 4th. If USA lost to Finland, and Russians beat Sweden, like they did, Soviets would have won the gold, USA or Sweden for silver based on their goal differentials since they tied their game.
Had to punch a wall to feel like a man again
How would you have liked to catch the stick thrown in the crowd at 2:49
I know right he has more
Getting emotional . Best team ever !
Was Jari Kurri playing on this Finnish Team?
Jiltedin2007 yes he was. Oddly enough, he wasnt their best player. Jukka porvari was their best player and he never made the nhl
Kurri was just 19 in The Olympics.
Porvari played 39 games in the NHL with Colorado\NJ.
@@KMK7355
The old Colorado Rockies before moving to New Jersey?
Yes same franchise
I still take this whole team versus anybody.
Agree. USA kid shout open his eyes. USA hockey team never gets high in expectations and it doesnt matter how many NHL stars they have.
Even at last World hockey championship when USA got bronze everyone was like ''WTF??". Sensation.
Btw go Canada
Chills 2:01
"If you lose this game you'll take it to your fucking grave...your fucking grave"
-Herb Brooks (Before the 3rd Period)