1980 Russian Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The 1980 Winter Olympics hockey game played between the United States and USSR has gone down in history as one of the biggest upsets in sports history. The Soviet Union, boasting one of the best hockey teams in the world, was expected to win. However, the United States team went on to do the unthinkable by defeating the Soviets, securing a place in sports history.
The Soviet Union Ice Hockey Team: A Legacy of Dominance
The Soviet Union hockey team was considered unbeatable during the 1970s and early 1980s. They won a total of six gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal in Olympic competition between 1956 and 1988. The team had been undefeated in the Olympics for 12 years before their match against the United States in 1980.
As the defending champions of the 1976 Winter Olympics, the Soviet team was expected to win the gold medal once again. They had prepared for the 1980 Winter Olympics for four years and were determined to bring home another gold medal. The team had an impressive record, with a total of 27 wins, one loss, and one tie since the 1976 Olympics.
The 1980 Winter Olympics: The United States vs. the Soviet Union
The match between the United States and the Soviet Union was a highly anticipated game. It was played on February 22, 1980, at the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, New York. The Soviet team was heavily favored to win, and the United States was considered the underdog.
The Soviet Union took an early lead, scoring the first goal of the game in the first period. However, the United States team managed to score two goals in the second period, giving them a lead over the Soviet Union. In the third period, the United States extended their lead by scoring another goal, bringing the score to 4-3.
The Soviet Union tried to make a comeback in the final minutes of the game but were unsuccessful. The game ended with a final score of 4-3, in favor of the United States. The victory was a major upset, and it was considered one of the greatest moments in sports history.
The Soviet Union Hockey Team Roster
The Soviet Union hockey team roster for the 1980 Winter Olympics was as follows:
- Goalies: Vladislav Tretiak, Vladimir Myshkin
- Defensemen: Valeri Vasiliev, Viacheslav Fetisov, Sergei Starikov, Yuri Lyapkin, Alexei Kasatonov, Gennady Tsygankov
- Forwards: Vladimir Petrov, Boris Mikhailov (captain), Helmut Balderis, Alexander Maltsev, Sergei Makarov, Valeri Kharlamov, Viktor Shalimov, Vladimir Krutov, Vladimir Golikov, Yuri Lebedev, Aleksandr Skvortsov, Vladimir Kovin
The roster was filled with experienced players who had won multiple Olympic and world championship medals. Vladislav Tretiak was one of the star players of the team, considered one of the best goalies of all time. Boris Mikhailov was the captain of the team and one of the best forwards in the world at that time.
The Aftermath of the Game
The victory of the United States over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics changed the face of international sports. The game came to be known as the "Miracle on Ice." The United States went on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland in the final game.
The Soviet Union team was devastated by the loss. They had to settle for the silver medal, which was a huge disappointment for them. The loss was a wake-up call for the Soviet Union, and they began to make changes to their hockey program.
Conclusion
The 1980 Winter Olympics hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union remains one of the greatest moments in sports history. The victory of the United States over the heavily favored Soviet Union was an incredible upset. The Soviet Union hockey team roster was filled with some of the best players in the world, but they were unable to defeat the young and inexperienced United States team. The game serves as a reminder that anything is possible in sports, and that underdogs can sometimes achieve the impossible.