1980 Us Men's Hockey Team Schedule
The 1980 US Men's Hockey Team made history when they won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York. The team, which was an underdog, defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the semi-finals and later won the gold medal by defeating Finland. In this article, we will relive the journey of the 1980 US Men's Hockey Team by looking at their schedule.
The Pre-Olympic Season
The 1980 US Men's Hockey Team started their pre-Olympic season with a warm-up tournament in Lake Placid in November 1979. They played against teams from Sweden and Czechoslovakia and won both matches. The next month, they played a four-game series against the Soviet Union team in New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The US team lost all four matches.
In January 1980, the US team played in the Rendez-vous '80 tournament in Quebec City. This tournament was a two-game series against the Soviet Union team. The US team lost the first game 6-3 but managed to tie the second game 3-3. The US team also played against teams from Canada and Sweden in this tournament and won both matches.
The Olympics
The ice hockey competition at the 1980 Winter Olympics was held from February 12 to February 24. The 12 teams were divided into two groups of six teams each. The US team was in Group A along with teams from Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Romania, West Germany, and Norway.
February 12: The US team played their first match against Sweden and won 2-1.
February 14: The US team played against Czechoslovakia and tied the match 2-2.
February 15: The US team played against Norway and won 5-1.
February 17: The US team played against Romania and won 7-2.
February 19: The US team played against West Germany and won 4-2.
The US team finished first in Group A with 8 points and advanced to the medal round.
The Semi-finals
The US team's semi-final match was against the Soviet Union team who were the defending gold medalists and had won four of the last five Olympic gold medals. The match was held on February 22, and it was one of the most memorable matches in the history of ice hockey.
The Soviet Union team was expected to win easily, but the US team played a perfect game and won 4-3. Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal with ten minutes left in the game. The US team's goalkeeper, Jim Craig, made 36 saves during the match, and he was named the player of the game.
The Finals
The US team's final match was against Finland, who had defeated the Soviet Union team in the other semi-final match. The final was held on February 24, and the US team won 4-2 to clinch the gold medal.
Mark Johnson scored two goals for the US team, and they never trailed in the match. Jim Craig made 21 saves in the final, and he was named the player of the game again. The US team's victory was dubbed the 'Miracle on Ice', and it remains one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports.
Conclusion
The 1980 US Men's Hockey Team's journey to the gold medal was a remarkable one. They were a group of young college players who came together under the guidance of their coach, Herb Brooks, and achieved the impossible. Their victory inspired a generation of hockey players and fans, and it remains one of the most memorable moments in the history of sports.
