Lake Placid Hockey

Imagine for one moment you're watching the 1980 Winter Olympics from the comfort of your living room. With soda and popcorn in hand you are fixated upon a spirited U.S.A. squad gutting it out against the dominant Russians. Mark Johnson scores his game-tying goal against Vladislav Tretiak as the waning seconds of the first period tick away. What if Russian head coach Viktor Tikhonov...doesn't replace Tretiak with Vladimir Myshkin? We know that the Russians scored (Maltsev) to start the second period, but what if it stood as Tretiak played up to usual form?

In other words, how would have the growth of American hockey been affected if Al Michaels and Ken Dryden finished the telecast analyzing a Russian victory instead of the signature "do you believe in miracles" call?

To this day, I can't figure out Russia losing that game. As determined as the US team was, they had no where near the talent to compete with the Russian powerhouse. So, what happens, if ...?
Certainly not enough interest to maintain teams in non traditional markets like Florida, Phoenix, etc. Obviously there was some interest in hockey before, so not winning a game you're not expected to win is not going to cause it to lose its fanbase, but not nearly the growth it has seen since.
Less US born players entering the league and in major college level than we are seeing now
A friend of mine asked me this question on the same subject: What are the chances, US hockey federation paid a cash strapped Russian federation to not play Tretiak and give the US an opportunity to win for the overall benifit of the game? IMO not likely, but ...?

2007-09-06 06:35:09 by Snoop

Jeff Pollara #87, 8yr old scores Amazing goal in Lake Placid Hockey Shoot Out

The US beat Finland in their final game, yet Finland ended up in fourth place. What gives? Was the medal round basically another round robin?

It a sense it was a round robin. The top two teams from each group advanced to the medal round, with each team playing the teams in the other group, The difference was games played against teams in your own group counted also. Sweden and USA advanced from Blue group and USSR and Finland advanced from Red group. SO the USA beat USSR and Finland, and tied Sweden during group play to earn 5 points and the gold medal. Finland lost to USA and tied Sweden, but also lost to USSR during group play, only earning 1 point. Sweden tied Finland and lost to USSR, but the tie they had with USA in group play gave them the extra point and the bronze medal.

2008-08-27 13:13:53 by Elly & Pao

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It won't.

That was a miracle. A bunch of college kids upsetting one of the greatest teams in the history pof hockey.

This is just a great effort. A team of professional players capturing the Olympics (similar to their victory in the 1996 World Cup) against players they see and play with and against all the time.

2010-02-25 13:37:24 by 2Bhip

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I have tried the internet and founf references to the Bobsled team etc but nothing about this. It is suprising due to the notoriety of the USA hockey team

One recently sold for $14.05 on E-Bay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1980-Lake-Placid-Oly mpics-International-Hockey-Pin_W0QQitemZ 270118380085QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4396QQssP ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2007-05-20 17:36:30 by scott f

The 1980 Lake Placid Olympics held a hockey games between the United States and the Soviet Union. Why was this event considered a "miracle on ice?"

It is considered the "miracle on ice" because the USSR at the time was considered the greatest hockey team in the world. The Russian players were all pros and the Americans were kids in college that have never played together. It was very one sided and everybody thought the Americans and every other team did not stand a chance in beating them. However it is considered the "miracle on ice" because with 5 seconds left in the game and the Americans about to win Al Michaels screamed out "do you believe in miracles? YES!" and the phrase caught on.... hence "miracle on ice"

2010-03-03 17:54:07 by jllnelson13