Miracle On Ice

The Miracle On Ice refers to the performance of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic ice hockey team. Playing with collegiate amateurs, they pulled off arguably the greatest upset in team sports by defeating the Soviet Union, 4-3, in Lake Placid, New York.

This was the same Soviet team which hadn't lost an Olympic hockey game in 20 years, and had defeated a team of NHL all-stars just prior to the Olympic tournament. At a time when American confidence in its government and citizenry was at a low point, the hockey victory served as an emotional turning point for the United States, which also was embroiled in the Iran Hostage Crisis.

The Miracle On Ice gained it's identity from the signature play-by-play game call from ABC Sports announcer Al Michaels, who, as the final seconds ticked down, shouted: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!". February 22, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice." After beating the Soviets, the Americans defeated Finland, 4-2, to capture the gold medal.

The U.S. returned to the gold medal game in 2002, but this time with NHL players and lost to Canada, 5-2.

• G Jim Craig
• D Ken Morrow
• D Mike Ramsey
• C Mark Johnson
• RW Mike Eruzione
• LW Dave Silk
• D Bill Baker
• C Neal Broten
• D Dave Christian
• RW Steve Christoff
• RW John Harrington
• G Steve Janaszak
• LW Rob McClanahan
• D Jack O'Callahan.
• C Mark Pavelich
• LW Buzz Schneider
• RW Eric Strobel
• D Bob Suter
• LW Phil Verchota
• C Mark Wells

• Jim Craig -- Made 30 appearances in NHL, winning 11 games
• Ken Morrow -- The most successful of all the Olympians, was a key member of all four of the New York Islanders' Stanley Cup winning teams from 1980-83.
• Mike Ramsay - Enjoyed 14-year career in NHL
• Mark Johnson - Played 11 seasons in NHL, registering 203 goals
• Mike Eruzione -- The captain of 1980 team, never played in NHL
• Dave Silk -- Played in 249 NHL games
• Bill Baker -- Played in 143 NHL game
• Neal Broten -- Regarded as the best player to ever come out of Minnesota, recorded

634 points in 1,099 games, most for an 1980 U.S. Olympian

• Dave Christian -- Played in 1,009 games NHL games, registering 773, the most for any 1980 Olympian.
• Steve Christoff -- Appeared in 248 NHL contests
• John Harrington -- Never played in NHL
• Steve Janaszak -- The backup goalie to Craig made only one NHLappearance
• Rob McClanahan -- Saw action in 224 career NHL games
• Jack 'Callahan -- Played in 398 games during seven-year NHL career
• Mark Pavelich -- Skated in 355 NHL games
• Buzz Schneider - Never played in NHL
• Eric Strobel -- Never played in NHL
• Bob Suter -- Never played in NHL
• Phil Verchota -- Never played in NHL
• Mark Wells -- Never played in HL

The late Herb Brooks, who was a successful college mentor at Minnesota, coached the 1980 American Olympic team and also was behind the bench for the U.S. in 2002 after moving on the NHL. He was played by Kurt Russell in the movie "Miracle." Brooks died in a car crash in Minnesota shortly before the movie was released.

• Herb Brooks - Head Coach

• Craig Partick - Assistant Coach

• Warren Strelow - Goaltending Coach

• Gary Smith - Trainer

• Ralph Jasinski - General Manager

• Al Michaels - Sportscaster

• July 1979: Herb Brooks selected and began training and conditioning Team USA

• February 9, 1980: Team USA played the USSR in an exhibition game, which the USSR won 10-3

• February 11, 1980: USSR beat the NHL All-Star Team 6-0 in the Challenge Cup

• February 13, 1980: Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

• February 20, 1980: Team USA completed qualifying round with a 4-0-1 record, advanced to medal round

• February 22, 1980: Team USA accomplished the unimaginable, beating the Soviet Team 4-3

• February 24, 1980: Team USA beat Finland 4-2, to capture the Gold Medal

• 1980: Team USA awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to US hockey

• 1980: Team USA named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year

• 1981: Miracle on Ice TV movie released

• 2002: US Team members lit the Olympic Flame at the Winter Olympics

• 2003: Coach Herb Brooks killed in a auto accident

• 2004: ESPN named this the top sports headline, moment, and game of the past 25 years

• 2004: Disney Pictures released Miracle