Monday, February 22, 2010

Historic Moments: Do You Believe in Miracles?

It was 30 years ago today that the US Olympic hockey team defeated Russia in the semifinals and went on to bring home the gold against Finland in the finals.

Those of you who watched US vs. Canada last night probably noticed that these were primarily professional players from the NHL.  The US Olympic Committee did not allow professional players in 1980, so it was our amateur team that went up against the Russian pros.

Here is the highlight reel, including Sportscaster Al Michaels' famous line, "Do You Believe in Miracles?"


US Coach Herb Brooks was noted as saying, "This is your moment" during his pregame pep talk. Here is the dramatization from the movie Miracle.


On a personal note, I was in 4th grade at the time. Layoffs were prevalent at the local automotive plants and the economy was in the tank. GM was losing marketshare and some of my friends' dads were out of work for a seemingly endless timeframe. Enter the 1980 US Hockey Team. The defeat of against the Russians signaled a new hope for America. The US team inspired a nation with an economic recession and a self-esteem in depression.

And speaking of inspiration, here is a 4 year old with a retelling of the movie version of Herb Brooks' pregame speech.



Can you hear the crowds?

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

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