Do you believe in Miracles?? - 30 years later

THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER - NO CAPTION NECESSARY, THE ONLY ONE LIKE IT.


This is still the greatest moment in sports history. The rag-tag American team of college players vs. the Soviet juggernaut that was routinely destroying NHL teams. Still amazing to watch and I can't believe its been that long ago.

The Russian coach pulling Vladislav Tretiak from goal after he gave up a sloppy, last-second goal to end the first period is the deciding factor. If he goes into the locker room and lights Tretaik up but doesn't pull him, maybe the result is different. Tretiak at the time was the top goalie in the world. The Russians clearly did not take the American team seriously enough until it was too late. Several of the Soviet players made note of these two factors over the years.


Ten Minutes of the Canadian Feed:



The ABC-TV feed, seen on tape-delay:



In terms of sports, truly a miracle. This series of games was the genesis for the "USA, USA" chant that is commonplace in international contests today. What it did for the spirit and morale of a country that was still ailing at the end of the Carter administration cannot be measured.

The greatest game in sports history in my lifetime without a doubt. In terms of magnitude, I can't even come close to a comparable upset. Perhaps the Russians would cite their own upset of the USA basketball team, but that's another story for another day.