1980 Ussr Olympic Hockey Team Roster
As one of the greatest upsets in sports history, the Miracle on Ice is still talked about and celebrated to this day. The United States Hockey Team's win over the heavily favored Soviet Union team at the 1980 Winter Olympics became a defining moment in American sports culture. But who exactly were the players on the 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team Roster? In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the team's history, their journey during the Olympics, and their impact on the world of hockey.
The 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team was made up of 20 players, most of whom were members of the Central Red Army hockey team. The team was coached by the legendary Viktor Tikhonov, who had led the Soviet Union to the gold medal in the 1976 and 1984 Olympics.
Here are the 20 players on the 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team Roster:
- 1. Vladislav Tretiak (goalie)
- 2. Vladimir Myshkin (goalie)
- 3. Sergei Starikov (defenseman)
- 4. Valeri Vasiliev (defenseman)
- 5. Alexei Kasatonov (defenseman)
- 6. Gennadiy Tsygankov (defenseman)
- 7. Yuri Fedorov (defenseman)
- 8. Sergei Babinov (forward)
- 9. Alexander Golikov (forward)
- 10. Vladimir Krutov (forward)
- 11. Helmut Balderis (forward)
- 12. Igor Larionov (forward)
- 13. Sergei Makarov (forward)
- 14. Viktor Shalimov (forward)
- 15. Boris Mikhailov (forward and team captain)
- 16. Vladimir Petrov (forward)
- 17. Aleksandr Skvortsov (forward)
- 18. Vladimir Shadrin (forward)
- 19. Sergei Shepelev (forward)
- 20. Viktor Zhluktov (forward)
The Journey to the Olympics
The Soviet Union had dominated international hockey for years leading up to the 1980 Olympics. They had won the gold medal in the past four Winter Olympics and had won almost every other international competition they had entered. The team was made up of highly skilled professionals who played together year-round, unlike the American team that was made up of college players who only had a few months to train together.
The USSR team entered the 1980 Winter Olympics as the heavy favorites to win the gold medal. They had already won their first four games of the tournament by a combined score of 28-7. The United States, on the other hand, had started the tournament with a loss to Sweden and a tie against Norway, and were not expected to make it past the medal rounds.
However, the American team started to gain momentum as the tournament went on. They won their next two games against Germany and Czechoslovakia to make it to the medal round. In the semifinals, they faced off against the Soviet Union.
The Miracle on Ice
On February 22, 1980, the United States faced off against the Soviet Union in a game that would go down in history as the Miracle on Ice. The Soviet Union had outscored their opponents 51-11 in their previous five games, including a 10-3 victory over the United States in an exhibition game just weeks before the Olympics began.
Despite being huge underdogs, the United States played an incredible game. They took a 2-1 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Buzz Schneider and Mark Johnson. The Soviet Union tied it up in the second period, but the United States took the lead again with a goal from Mark Pavelich.
The Soviet Union tried to tie it up in the third period, but the American defense held strong. With just seconds left in the game, the Soviet Union had one last chance to score, but their shot was blocked by American defenseman Ken Morrow. The United States won the game 4-3, sending shockwaves throughout the sports world.
The Aftermath
The Miracle on Ice was not only a victory for the United States, but it was also a huge blow to the Soviet Union's dominance in international hockey. The USSR had lost just four Olympic hockey games since 1960, and their loss to the United States was seen as a major upset.
The American team went on to defeat Finland in the gold medal game, cementing their place in hockey history. The Miracle on Ice has become a cultural touchstone in the United States, representing a moment of national pride and triumph over adversity.
Conclusion
The 1980 USSR Olympic Hockey Team Roster is still remembered today for their shocking loss to the United States at the Winter Olympics. The team was made up of some of the best hockey players in the world, led by legendary coach Viktor Tikhonov. Although the Miracle on Ice may have been a devastating loss for the Soviet Union, it became a defining moment for American sports and a symbol of what can be achieved through hard work and determination.
