1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

Before the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the United States Olympic hockey team was not expected to compete for a medal. After all, their pool included powerhouses such as Sweden and Czechoslovakia, while the other pool included the Soviet Union and Finland. Only the top two teams from each pool would advance to the medal round, so the United States team faced long odds. By the time the fortnight had ended, the United States team had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in hockey history by defeating the Russians in the semifinals and winning the gold medal after defeating Finland 4-2 in their final game.

The victory inspired a national celebration. After a year of disappointment and disaster, from the Iranian Embassy takeover to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (a result of which was the boycott by the U.S. of the Summer Olympics in Moscow), Americans were looking for something to cheer for. High inflation and unemployment plagued the country, and President Jimmy Carter's policies were often met with scorn and derision.

After defeating the Russians for the right to play for the gold medal, the U.S. team retreated to their locker room and attempted to sing "God Bless America," though many could not remember all the words. Radio City Music Hall erupted during a performance when the Finland score was announced. A nationally televised NBA game between the Kansas City Kings and Milwaukee Bucks was interrupted for a second rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Euphoria swept through the country, giving U.S. citizens something to be happy about after months of disappointment.

Before 1980, the United States formed their Olympic hockey teams hastily and then expected them to compete in the tournament. But more often than not the U.S. teams struggled against European squads that had played together for months. In 1980, however, the plan was different. Led by University of Minnesota coach Herb Brooks, the U.S. team spent six months in training and played 61 games before the Olympics. At the same time, Brooks installed a European-type system, emphasizing puck control, instead of the dump-and-chase style favored in the past. Those plans appeared to be all for naught just before the tournament, as the Soviet squad routed the U.S. team 10-3 on the eve of the tournament. Coach Brooks commented after the game that a loss like that was not necessarily bad, since it might prevent overconfidence in his team.

The U.S. team would find out quickly if they had a chance for a medal because their first two contests were against Sweden and Czechoslovakia. In that first contest, the U.S. managed a 2-2 tie, scoring with only 27 seconds left. A huge upset followed two days later as the host team routed the Czechs 7-3. With those two tougher contests out of the way, the U.S. had a good chance to advance to the medal round. Their next three opponents were not as strong—Norway, Rumania, and West Germany. As it turned out, the host team took care of business, winning all three contests with relative ease to advance to the medal round. Both the United States and Sweden had 4-0-1 records in pool play, but the Swedes were the top seed because of goal differential. That fact forced the United States to face the same Soviet squad that had annihilated them only two weeks earlier.

The Soviets controlled play throughout much of the game, outshooting the Americans 39-16. Going into the third period, the U.S. trailed the four-time defending champs 3-2. However, two goals scored only 90 seconds apart propelled the Americans to the improbable win. Mark Johnson and Mike Eruzione became forever etched in American Olympic history with their goals. A call from ABC broadcaster Al Michaels became famous after the win: "Do you believe in miracles? YES!"

It must be remembered, though, that the victory over the Soviets did not win the Americans the gold medal. The U.S. still had to beat Finland to assure themselves the gold. The contest was televised live in the United States, despite its early Sunday morning start (11 a.m. local time, 8 a.m. West Coast time). If the U.S. had lost this game, they actually would have finished third, and the hated Russians would still have won by virtue of their win over Sweden. Things looked bleak going into the final period, as the U.S. trailed 2-1. The never-say-die American team did not quit, however, and with three third-period goals, they won the gold medal with a 4-2 triumph.

Since that improbable win, the United States hockey team has failed to earn a medal. Even in 1998 in Nagano, Japan, with NHL players participating for the first time, the Americans could not corral a medal, though they earned distinction for the damage they caused to their hotel rooms following raucous parties.

—D. Byron Painter

Further Reading:

Clendinen, Dudley. "U.S. Victory Stirs National Celebration." New York Times. February 25, 1980, C1-C4.

Coffey, Wayne R. 1980 U.S. Hockey Team. Woodbridge, Connecticut, Blackbirch Press, 1993.

Eskenazi, Gerald. "U.S. Defeats Soviet Squad in Olympic Hockey by4-3." New York Times. February 23, 1998, A1, A16.

——. "U.S. Hockey Squad Captures Gold Medal." New York Times. February 25, 1980, C1-C4.

Naughton, Jim. "Russia Routs U.S. in Hockey by 10-3." New York Times. February 10, 1980, E1, E4.

Powers, John, and Arthur C. Kaminsky. One Goal: A Chronicle of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. New York, Harper & Row, 1984.

Wallechinsky, David. The Complete Book of the Olympics. Boston, Little, Brown, 1991.