The Miracle on Ice: How the US Ice Hockey Team Shook the World in 1980

In 1980, the United States men's ice hockey team participated in the Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York. The Soviet Union was the overwhelming favorite to win the gold medal, having dominated the sport for decades. The US team, on the other hand, was made up of college kids who, as the underdogs, didn't have much hope of winning.

The game between the Soviet team and the US team took place on February 22, 1980. The Soviet team had won the gold medal in the previous four Olympics, and had not lost a single game in the tournament leading up to this one. The US team, however, had lost to the Soviet Union in an exhibition game a few weeks earlier 10-3, so the outlook was bleak.new balance 574 vivid coral

The game started with the Soviet team controlling the majority of the game. They scored a goal late in the first period, and it seemed as if the US team was going to be crushed. However, in the second period, the US team rallied, scoring twice to take the lead. The Soviet team tied it up in the third period, setting up a tense final 10 minutes.new balance 574 pique polo pack

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Mike Eruzione, the captain of the US team, scored the go-ahead goal. The crowd, made up of thousands of Americans who had come to cheer the underdogs, erupted into a frenzy. The Soviet team tried desperately to score again, but the US team's goalie, Jim Craig, made some miraculous saves to keep them at bay.new balance 574 iridescent black

In the end, the US team won 4-3, a victory that shocked the world. The team went on to accomplish what was dubbed as the Miracle on Ice by defeating Finland in their next game to win the gold medal. The game has become one of the most iconic moments in the history of American sports, a symbol of an underdog team fighting against all odds and achieving the impossible.