STORIES
Sports
DONATE

1980 US Hockey Team

by Jason from Roseville

US celebrating after beating the Soviet Union (http://www.usahockey.com/ushhof/default.aspx?NAV=AF_01&id=289718&DetailedNews=yes)
US celebrating after beating the Soviet Union (http://www.usahockey.com/ushhof/default.aspx?NAV=AF_01&id=289718&DetailedNews=yes)

The 1980 United States Olympic hockey team was made up of college players and players that would probably never become pro. The team was led by Herb Brooks who was born August 5, 1937 and died August 11, 2003 at the age of sixty six. The average age of the players was 21 years old. According to Dave Ogrean, the executive director of US hockey, the 1980 US hockey team beating the soviets was "the most transcending moment in the history of our sport in this country." Dave Ogrean also said, "For the people who were born between 1945 and 1955, they know where they were when John Kennedy got shot, when man walked on the moon, and when the USA beat the Soviet Union in Lake Placid." Sports Illustrated also voted Miracle on ice the greatest sports moment of the 20th century. The 1980 US hockey team made America proud and proved to the world that anything is possible.

1980 US Hokey team (http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200201/15_wilcoxenw_brooks/)
1980 US Hokey team (http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200201/15_wilcoxenw_brooks/)

The 1980 Winter Olympic Games were held in Lake Placid, New York. The Soviet Union was expecting to win gold with ease. They had been dominating the sport since 1964. The USA hockey team would try to end the Soviet Union streak once and for all. The US’s first game resulted in a tie against Sweden thanks to a goal by Bill Baker with 27 seconds left. The next game the US beat the Czech Republic 7 to 3. The US next had a tough game against the Germans. The US team got into a hole trailing 2 to 0 at the end of the 1st period. The US then scored two goals in the 2nd period thanks to Neal Broten, who scored with 1 minute and 29 seconds left in the period. The US went on to win the game 4 to 2. The US came in 2nd in the blue pool behind Sweden because the US did not have a bigger goal differential then Sweden. That meant that the US had to play the Soviet Union next.

US player and Soviet player going to the puck (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=060327/upsets)
US player and Soviet player going to the puck (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=060327/upsets)

In the first period the Soviet Union out-shot the US badly but Craig was sharp, blocking most of the many shots from the Soviets. All the US wanted to do was stay close so they could win in the end. The US was gaining momentum. At the end of the first period the score was 2 to 1, US trailing. Mark Johnson scored the US goal in the first period with one second left in the period. The Soviet coach was stunned and took out Tretiak, the Soviet star goalie and put in the back up goalie Myshkin. This gave America great hope that they could win. In the 3rd period the US really thought they could win. Johnson scored on a power play with 8 minutes and 39 seconds left. A power play is when a team gets a one man advantage for the time the referee assigns. The player that committed the penalty has to sit out till the time is up. Then he can go back in, not all fouls result in a power play for the other team. Two minutes later, Eruzione came off the bench and scored! The US finished up the game winning 4 to 3. America rejoiced. If America beat the Soviets, anything is possible. The US went on to win gold by beating Finland.

Eurzione goal celebration (http://clarencerosario.blogspot.com/)
Eurzione goal celebration (http://clarencerosario.blogspot.com/)

The 1980 US hockey team and I are alike because we both never give up and always try our hardest in everything we do. We also always have hope. The 1980 US hockey team inspires me by showing that anything is possible with hard work. The US hockey team inspired the whole world the same way they inspired me. They fit my definition of a hero by inspiring the world. They never gave up, ever. They also tried their hardest in games, practice, and even when they were losing. With all their hard work and dedication they became great.

The US team is the true definition of a hero. Hard working and they never gave up when people did not believe they could come out on top. The US team proved that anything is possible if you never give up on yourself or others. The US team is the most inspiring and uplifting sports team in the 20th century.

Page created on 11/19/2010 1:44:24 PM

Last edited 11/19/2010 1:44:24 PM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

The Miracle on Ice - For more about US Hockey's improbable win over the Soviets at Lake Placid.