1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team

~Miracle On Ice~

I can remember sitting in front of the tv watching all of the United States Olympic hockey games in 1980 when I was 15 years old. It was exciting watching the USA play so well!

The Americans pulled off one of the greatest sports upsets ever, beating the mighty Soviets with a squad of mostly college players.

That shocking victory, plus beating Finland for the gold medal, assured the team a place in sports immortality.

The young U.S. team was given no chance against a veteran Soviet squad that had dominated international hockey for years and had routed the Americans 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden the week before the Olympics.

On Feb. 22, 1980, the U.S. team scored with 10 minutes to play to take a 4-3 lead against the Soviets and then held on. As the final seconds ticked away, announcer Al Michaels exclaimed, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"

It remains one of the most famous calls in sports broadcasting history.

I will NEVER FORGET watching that game LIVE on the ole televison set with Rabbit ears.

Herb Brooks, the coach of that legendary hockey team, died Sunday, August 10th, 2003, in an auto accident north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Brooks, who lived in Birchwood Village, Minn., was 66. Brooks, according to witnesses, evidently lost control of his minivan on an interstate highway and was ejected from the vehicle after it rolled over, said Lt. Chuck Walerius, the supervisor at the scene for the Minnesota State Patrol. There was no indication that alcohol was involved in the crash.

MORE ERICH SPORTS MEMORIES COMING SOON!!!

Pete Rose

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