On this day February 22 1980 the United States men’s hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. The game became known as the Miracle on Ice as a young team of American amateurs and college players stunned the four-time defending gold medalist Soviet squad winning 4-3 in a dramatic showdown.
The moment was immortalized by Al Michaels’ legendary call in the final seconds of the game when he delivered the unforgettable phrase "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" as the US team secured the victory.
Despite the win this was not the gold medal game. The US still had to defeat Finland two days later to officially claim the gold medal which they did with a 4-2 victory completing one of the most inspirational sports stories of all time.
80s insight: The Soviet team had dominated international hockey for decades and had defeated the US 10-3 in an exhibition game just weeks before the Olympics making the upset even more shocking.
The moment was immortalized by Al Michaels’ legendary call in the final seconds of the game when he delivered the unforgettable phrase "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" as the US team secured the victory.
Despite the win this was not the gold medal game. The US still had to defeat Finland two days later to officially claim the gold medal which they did with a 4-2 victory completing one of the most inspirational sports stories of all time.
80s insight: The Soviet team had dominated international hockey for decades and had defeated the US 10-3 in an exhibition game just weeks before the Olympics making the upset even more shocking.
