It was 36 years ago today when America watched a group of American amateur and college ice hockey players who formed the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team. I was in my 20s and glued to the television at my RVA apartment watching the game. Our team was not expected to win against the Russians but it was the Winter Olympics and I watched as much of everything that I could. That night was no different.
It began as a routine game and built from there. By the last few minutes no one was sitting, everyone was screaming, jumping up and down, and the electricity could be felt around the world. “Do you believe in miracles?” It’s a line that has been passed down through the generations, and I still get chills watching the final minutes of that game.
The movie “Miracle on Ice” captured not only the stunning victory but also the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of that young team as they prepared to go up against the best in the world.
Perhaps one of the best recaps is from Doug Mataconis over at Outside the Beltway (see 35 years ago today: The miracle on ice).
Do you believe in miracles? A ragtag team taught us to never give up. Never.
The story of the 1980 Miracle on Ice