WASHINGTON — Do you still believe in miracles?
The historic USA hockey team that toppled the mighty Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics got yet another honor Friday, as members of the legendary squad met with President Trump in the White House to commemorate the unforgettable win.
Trump was surrounded by cowboy-hat-wearing players from the “Miracle on Ice” squad — a scrappy group of amateurs who pulled off a victory many believed was impossible — after signing legislation Wednesday honoring their achievement.
“The whole world expected the Soviets to win — unless the ice melted,” Trump said, recounting the overwhelming odds facing the US’ 1980 hockey team against the Soviets who hadn’t lost an Olympic game since 1968 and was coming off four straight gold medal wins.
Just weeks before the Olympics, the USSR had crushed the Americans 10-3 in an exhibition.
“It was not pretty,” Trump said. “People weren’t even looking forward to this game.”
Then came Feb. 22, 1980.
Despite the odds, the Americans surged through the tournament and earned a rematch against the Soviets. They trailed three times before pulling ahead late in the third period, hanging on for what has since been called the longest, scariest 10 minutes in sports history.
“That team united us,” Trump said. “They inspired us. Nobody thought it was possible. But it showed that anything is possible.”
Goaltender Jim Craig, who stood on his head during a second-period Soviet barrage, and captain Mike Eruzione — who scored the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3 — were among those honored.
Wearing a grin, Eruzione said wearing a “USA jersey” and “playing for your country” alone was a high honor, thanking Trump for the Friday recognition.
“What an honor it was for us to put that jersey on and accomplish what we accomplished,” he said. I’ve always said the gold medal is something that’s incredible, but this is the frosting on the cake to receive an honor like this.”
During a Q&A, Eruzione reminded reporters that the miracle didn’t end with the Soviet win.
“If we don’t beat Finland, we’re not here,” he said. “We closed the deal.”
The American team was made up of college-level players in their teens and early 20s because Olympic rules at the time forbade professionals from participating. They were decided underdogs against a Soviet squad that was made up of mostly older players who were at the level of top NHL stars, but were unable to go pro in the west because of Communist-era laws.
The US victory over the Soviets came in the first medal round. The victory prompted the call by announcer Al Michaels at the final buzzer “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”, which then led to the nickname of the historic win.
They then had to play Finland to secure the gold medal, which they did in a 4-2 victory.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), a former hockey player himself, who called the 1980 victory a turning point for the nation.
“They changed the game of hockey,” Stauber said. “They gave this country the strength it needed at a time when we needed it.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) echoed his remarks, saying the players “lifted an entire country out of the ditch.”
“It didn’t matter where they came from — Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan,” Emmer said. “They were all Americans.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) also attended, having co-leading the bill in Congress with Stauber.
“Lake Placid in New York’s 21st Congressional District is home to the famed Miracle on Ice game that was one of the most significant moments in sports history and even more important in 20th century world history,” Stefanik said in a statement.
“Thank you to the legendary team that earned its place in US history with an extraordinary underdog victory that embodied the triumph, grit, and determination of the American spirit during the Cold War.”
Read the full article here