The "Miracle on Ice" is the name in American pop culture for the game victory in men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The victory occurred on Friday, February 22. The United States Olympic hockey team, made up of amateur and collegiate players, and led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet Union national team, which had won the gold medal in six out of the seven previous Olympic games.
Team USA went on to win the gold medal medal game over Finland. The Soviet Union took silver by defeating Sweden in its final game. In 1999, Sports Illustrated even named the "Miracle on Ice" the Top Sports Moment of the 20th Century. As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations in 2008, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) chose the "Miracle on Ice" as the century's number one international ice hockey story.
Many say, "it was more than just a game." And that is the truth. The year 1980 found itself in the midst of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. For USA to defeat the "unbeatable" Soviet Union hockey team was the ultimate insult and victory. At this point, tensions between the US and Soviet Union were high, and the Soviets knew they had an edge in the Olympics to defeat USA, and were proven wrong. Thus making the event one of sports greatest historical marks in history.
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