36 years ago we beat the Russians in Lake Placid. The biggest upset in sports history. I still remember Al Michaels' call like it was yesterday. I was 13 watching it in my uncle"s kitchen. Absolutely amazing accomplishment.
me and two other guys drove up there to try to scam ("miracle") our way into the Olympic Field House, now called the Herb Brooks Arena. We failed. However, the town was a madhouse and we shared in the festivities...including MANY drinks for all. I kick myself for not staying to try to get into the Finland game two days later, but we ran out of money and needed to get back to school!
I was 15. I remember being very careful during the day NOT to hear the
was a truly relevant sport in this country. Such a great sport to watch, I always wondered if the NHL wasn't dominated by two teams with small to non-existent fan bases for the decade that followed that maybe it would rival basketball today which had teams like LA/Boston/Philly dominate the 80's.
the NHL forgot that it's super regional sport,not a truly national one
in the US. But within that narrower limit, perhaps the most rabid fan base of all. At 21 teams, and even at 24 teams, the NHL was maybe the deepest talent pool, most competitive league of all. At 30 teams with the hard cap, not so much. Over-expansion ruined it. Hockey has to have blood rivals. Hard to have with 31 teams.
I was coaching hockey at the high school level at that time. When I saw one of my compadre coaches that day, he asked me how I thought we were going to do vs the Russians. I said, "We're going to win 3-2." He told me I was crazy. Not so much!
In comment 13367546 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
Quote:
I was coaching hockey at the high school level at that time. When I saw one of my compadre coaches that day, he asked me how I thought we were going to do vs the Russians. I said, "We're going to win 3-2." He told me I was crazy. Not so much!
in Ramapo NY. We were on the ice during the USA vs Russia game (actual time, not broadcast time). The game was 5pm they didn't show it on TV until 8pm, so the game had already been played before it was on TV.
The PA announcer was announcing the score while we were playing our game, as the USA vs Russia score changed.
he had an old school radio with head phones like people used to wear at Giants stadium. Do people still wear them? Anyway, they wouldn't broadcast the game live on TV (not that it mattered much in 1980 b/c without internet, etc.) they could limit the leaks, but scores were being reported on radio.
He announced the final, USA Wins! and us and the Ramapo team stopped playing we all threw our gloves in the air and were just going crazy. the parents in the stands were going nuts. it was unreal.
I knew the score, but it was still fun watching at night. I'd love a video clip of the pre-game speeches by Brooks. We've had them portrayed in movies, but it would be awesome to hear them out of his mouth.
of all the iconic pictures from that day I have never seen this one
Thanks Gary Bettman
except it was 4 - 3. otherwise good call.
The PA announcer was announcing the score while we were playing our game, as the USA vs Russia score changed.
he had an old school radio with head phones like people used to wear at Giants stadium. Do people still wear them? Anyway, they wouldn't broadcast the game live on TV (not that it mattered much in 1980 b/c without internet, etc.) they could limit the leaks, but scores were being reported on radio.
He announced the final, USA Wins! and us and the Ramapo team stopped playing we all threw our gloves in the air and were just going crazy. the parents in the stands were going nuts. it was unreal.
I was 8.
This is framed on the wall in my office.
Ha ha...forgot it was 2017. Ok 37 years. You got me!