Do you remember the Miracle on Ice?
Memory Attic shoppers can’t get enough of the Miracle on Ice, a hockey game at the Winter Olympics that changed the world. Recently, we sold out a jersey from that epic game and an autographed print that captured the momentous end of the game.
Right now, we’ve got a big sale on a print signed by great players Neal Broten, Dave Christian, Steve Christoff, Mike Eruzione, John Harrington, Steve Janaszak, Rob McClanahan, Ken Morrow, Jack O’Callahan, Craig Patrick, Phil Verchota, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider, Dave Silk, Eric Strobel, Mark Wells and Jim Craig.
The Story Behind the Miracle on Ice Memory
Let’s take a short stroll down memory lane with us to revisit this hockey game that captivated millions of sports fan around the globe.
First of all, the 1980 Winter Olympics took place against the backdrop of the Cold War. As athletes from around the world congregated in Lake Placid, New York, viewers anticipated an easy gold from the Soviet team in hockey. The Soviets were favored highly by expert sportscasters, as the majority of their team was made up of veteran players. In contrast, the American team was mostly college players with no experience in the National Hockey League.
So when the Soviets were matched with the U.S. team in the competition bracket, it signaled much more than just a simple hockey match.
An ideological battle was afoot between the communist Soviet Union and the democratic United States. The tense political relationship between the two countries had carried on for years throughout the Cold War, and the 1980 Winter Olympics was a climax.
Prior to the beginning of the game, American coach Herb Brooks gave a pivotal speech to motivate his players. In the film rendition featuring Kurt Russell, Brook’s character says, “Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here tonight, boys. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ‘em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.”
What followed was a major upset in which the young and relatively inexperienced American hockey team managed to beat the Soviets, winning 4-3. It was called “Miracle on Ice,” and a movie of the same was made to tell the story of this epic moment in world history.