Entering this game, the Soviet team, which was considered, and still sometimes is considered, one of the greatest hockey teams of all time, had not lost in like forever. And Team USA was a relatively weak and mostly unknown team by way of comparison. It was virtually unthinkable for Team USA to pull off a win this improbable, as almost anyone who understood anything about sports saw that the Soviet side just had too much talent and experience. By all rights, it seemed that they would mop the ice with Team USA.
Results this improbable were probably best left for Hollywood.
Which is why what happened still resonates in a way that perhaps no other single sporting event is remembered, even decades later.
In recent times, perhaps the only sports story that quite reached this level of shock value was when the previously undefeated 2007-08 New England Patriots, who many were already crowning the Greatest Team in History, shockingly lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, ending their dreams of completing the very rare “perfect season.” Like the “Miracle on Ice” game, the Patriots shocking loss was in one all-important game, and like the Soviet team, they entered that game as prohibitive favorites, with many feeling that their opponents had no real chance to pull off an upset of that magnitude.
You could suggest the collapse of the 2016 Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, and indeed, that was close. But the Warriors also lost three straight games, and they lost to LeBron James, who was a powerhouse. Also, the Warriors had shown vulnerabilities earlier in the playoffs, so it was not as much of a shock to see them lose.
The Soviet hockey team was supposed to crush Team USA. They already had done that in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden by a score of 10-3 just a few days prior to the start of the Lake Placid games. It seemed unlikely, to say the least, that the United States team, which was filled with young talent but lacked experience, and which entered the Olympics not particularly highly regarded, would pull off such an amazing upset.
Yet, they played with tremendous heart, and managed to keep the game close, and give themselves a chance. As many expected, the Soviets took an early lead with the first goal, but the Americans responded with a goal of their own. Still, the Soviets managed to score again to take a 2-1 lead, but again the Americans managed to tie the game by the end of the first period. However, the Soviets had completely dominated the Americans during that period, having outplayed Team USA, yet settling for the tie.
There was a key change in lineup for the second period, one that would play a deciding factor in the game. The Soviets pulled Vladislav Tretiak and replaced him with backup Vladimir Myshkin, a move that came as a big surprise for both teams. Still, the Soviets completely dominated the second period, outshooting the American squad, 12-2, yet only had a narrow 3-2 lead to show for it by the end of the second period.
The third period would prove to be the miraculous one for Team USA. Mark Johnson fired a shot during a power play that went past Myshkin and tied the game at 8:39. A few minutes later, Mike Eruzione managed to get another shot past Myshkin, and shockingly, the Americans held a 4-3 lead against the might, and seemingly unbeatable, Soviet team.
It was time for the American side to kill as much of the clock as possible, and they pretty much did that. They were assisted by the Soviet coach, Viktor Tikhonov, albeit unintentionally. The change in goalie in the second period had changed the complexion of the game, and ultimately helped the Americans. So did another decision, which was not to pull Myshkin out of goal and allow the Soviets a 6-5 chance very late in the game, when they desperately needed the tying goal. Team USA successfully held them off, and iced the historic win.
They outplayed the Soviets, albeit narrowly, and put themselves in position to win. They managed what seemed an unlikely win, and shocked the world. It inspired many Americans, as well, as there had been an obvious rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union for decades, and then President Jimmy Carter was seriously contemplating a boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games later that year (in the summer) in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
How historic was the victory? Sports Illustrated rated it as the most memorable sports moment of the 20th century.
Now, that is truly huge!
And it happened exactly four decades ago on this day.
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