1980 Olympic Hockey: Miracle on Ice
The story of Miracle on Ice begins with a man called Herb Brooks. Brooks was the NCAA coach and a student of international hockey. Brooks had subsequently played Ice Hockey for his own country at two other Olympics. Brooks was then cut from the 1960’s team and it was that team that won America’s very first gold medal in Olympic hockey.
Brooks started coaching at the Minnesota University and spent the 1970’s doing this in his own special way. He was a man known for his personality being more than prickly, and his preparation for games and training was beyond fanatical.
It is a misguided notion that the team that went to inspire the Hollywood movie Miracle, were untrained, unconditioned and unreliable. Brooks spent over a year nurturing the team that would go on to fell the mighty Russians. He handpicked the team from tryouts, physiological testing and whittled down the list from over 700 wannabe Olympic players.
Brooks knew that the European hockey players were faster and more skilful than their American counterparts. That is why he wanted to place his training emphasis on the speed, the condition and the discipline of the players. He took the players, some of which included Mike Ramsey, Mark Johnson and Dave Christian, all over North America and Europe playing a schedule that many would shy away from now.
Brooks knew that he needed a team that would capitalise on others mistakes and take every opportunity that may happen to come their way. Brooks united the players by pitting them against himself. He pushed them to the limits both physically and mentally and he often ended up in slanging matches with all of the players.
The Americans were always going to be the Underdogs in the competition, but they made up for this by being ultra competitive.
The first period ended 2-2, but this score does not reflect the drama of the first period. The game was 2-1 to the Soviets until the very last few seconds. Dave Christian took a long and lucky shot and seeing as thought the Soviets were getting ready for the buzzer, the puck went in. No one was sure if the goal would be allowed, sure enough, during the intermission the goal was allowed.
The soviets replaced their number one goalie Tretiak for Myshkin in time for the beginning of the second period. The Soviets were in control for more or less the entire second periods. But even though they showed control and determination, the soviets only had 3-2 lead to show for their valiant efforts.
In the last twenty minutes of the game, the Americans started using their speed against the soviets. Their speed would break apart the Soviets. While the Soviets kept their tried and tested veterans in the game, Brooks kept his lines fresh and fast by swapping and changing.
The American team got the gold medal with the game ending 4-3 to America and millions of Americans watching the broadcast celebrated with joy at the impossible becoming possible.