1980 Us Men's Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The Road to the Olympic Games
In 1980, the United States men's hockey team faced a daunting challenge at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The Soviet Union had been the dominant force in international hockey for over a decade, and the Americans were given little chance of winning a medal, let alone challenging the Soviets for gold.
However, over the course of the tournament, the US team proved their critics wrong. Led by head coach Herb Brooks, the team upset a series of favored opponents, including Sweden and Czechoslovakia, to reach the gold medal game against the Soviet Union.
The Miracle on Ice
The Soviet Union team was considered unbeatable, having won gold in the previous four Olympic games. The US team, made up primarily of college players, had only been given a brief amount of time to prepare for the tournament. However, in what would become known as the "Miracle on Ice," the Americans shocked the world by defeating the Soviets 4-3 in the semi-finals.
Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning goal with just over 10 minutes left in the third period, sparking scenes of celebration across the United States. The victory is widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports, and has since been immortalized in books, movies, and documentaries.
The Gold Medal Game
The US team still had one more hurdle to overcome in their quest for gold. In the final against Finland, the Americans fell behind early but rallied to win 4-2. Eruzione once again scored a crucial goal, while goaltender Jim Craig made a number of important saves to secure the victory.
The US team's improbable run to the gold medal captured the hearts and minds of sports fans around the world. Many of the players went on to successful careers in the National Hockey League, but the legacy of the Miracle on Ice will always be remembered as one of the most inspiring moments in Olympic history.
The Players
The 1980 US Men's Olympic Hockey Team roster was a diverse group of players from across the United States. The team was captained by Mike Eruzione, who scored the game-winning goal against the Soviet Union. Other notable players included defenseman Ken Morrow, who would go on to win four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, and goaltender Jim Craig, who made 39 saves in the Miracle on Ice game.
The team also featured a number of college stars, including Neal Broten, who would go on to have a successful NHL career, and Mark Johnson, who scored two goals in the victory against Finland. Other players on the roster included Dave Christian, Steve Christoff, Mike Ramsey, and Rob McClanahan.
The Legacy
The 1980 US Men's Olympic Hockey Team Roster will always be remembered for their incredible victory against the Soviet Union, and their ultimate gold medal win. The team's improbable run to the top of the podium inspired a generation of young hockey players across the United States, and remains a source of national pride to this day.
The players themselves have gone on to successful careers both on and off the ice, but they will always be linked by the Miracle on Ice and the role they played in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
