Hockey! The 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team

As the starting Varsity goaltender, I hold a vital leadership role within the locker room which is mentoring the sophomore backup goalie. I work with my net partner to improve his game through practices and warm up sessions. I believe it is my responsibility to pass my hockey knowledge along to him to insure he has the utmost preparation when he takes over the starting role next year.

A tale can be told in several different ways. Many people are aware of the astonishing feat of the 1980 USA Olympic Men’s Hockey team, who were huge underdogs in their bid to win the gold medal against the powerhouse USSR. The movie “Miracle”, directed by Gavin O’Connor, is the dramatic journey taken by this team, from the anxiety-filled tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to the exhilarating game against the USSR in Lake Placid, New York. The book, “The Boys of Winter” written by Wayne Coffey, is based on the same events, but takes a less emotional, more factual approach to the subject. The purpose of this essay is to compare these two resources, and to discuss how they differ in tone, style, and theme.

History has framed the Miracle On Ice as one of those rare sporting achievements that transcend sport. The two hockey games that comprise the “miracle” – the 4-3 win over the mighty Soviets and the 4-2 gold medal clincher against Finland – are credited with lifting Americans from a decade of gloom and despair, reviving patriotism and foreshadowing a national renewal.

Maurice Richard historical significance in Canada had to do considerable deal with Hockey. Hockey is “closer to a religion than a simple sporting pastime” in Canada. It is “a unifying force” in a nation where one state wanted to separate from the rest of Canada. Nevertheless hockey has a major impact on the social, economic, cultural and political realms of Canada. In the 2014 Olympics, an alcohol law in bars was ignored when Canada was in the finals for the gold medal. In addition to People drinking at 5 o’clock in the morning, which would have been frowned upon in many social circles in any other circumstances. Maurice is “credited with raising the National Hockey League to major sport status”, he simply “sold the game” to French Canadians post great depression. You could say he stopped the National Hockey league from fading as teams were dropping every year out of the League due to being unable to be successful financially.

The “Miracle on Ice,” where the United States defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York will forever be known as one of the greatest moments in American sports history. This game was about more than just sports though, it signified American strength, even when faced the greatest adversities. The United States was suffering through Vietnam, Watergate, and the wrenching upheavals of the 1960s. Many believe this game was even the beginning of the end for the Cold War. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in six of the seven previous Winter Olympic Games, and were the favorites to win once more in Lake Placid. The team consisted primarily of professional players with significant experience

The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.

Coach Eddie Rake was a vigorous man and had a lot of determination to win any game he could. He went on to be their coach for thirty four years, with “418 wins, 62 losses, 13 state titles, and from 1964 to 1970 an undefeated streak that ended at 84” (Grisham 11). There was still one question, “Do I love Eddie Rake, or do I hate him?” (Grisham 223). A lot of the players answered differently, saying that “Coach Rake was not easy to love, and while you’re playing here you really don’t like him. But after you leave, after you’ve been kicked around a few times, you soon realize how important Coach Rake is and was” (Grisham 223-224). Rake was there for Nat when he needed him most, and it took too long for the others to realize how good of a coach he actually was. “And when the name of Eddie Rake was mentioned, he would smile and maybe laugh and tell a story of his own. One with a happy ending” (Grisham

How the 1980 miracle team was significant. Due to rules in the Olympics, NHL players have to change how they play and how 135 NHL players are going to have to change their style of play. The Russians are predicted to win because of home field advantage in 2014.

Teams become a brotherhood, the comradery is unmatched in a regular social setting, and the best teams are almost always the most cohesive. The Huskers start the season on shaky ground with two players quitting within the first practice, only for one of them to return shortly thereafter. After the players realize that Coach Norman Dale has their respective backs things do start to turn towards a positive direction, chemistry wise. At one point in the movie, a kid from a team that Hickory is playing is egregiously disrespectful towards Coach Dale, and the bond between the players and their coach takes over and a fight ensues. Although fighting would generally seem a bad show of character, this situation shows that this team is starting to click as a cohesive unit. Even the son of Shooter, who had previously been irate about his father being brought on to coach, it becomes obvious that even a bond between them is starting to appear once again. Additionally, as the town bears down on Coach Dale the team stands by their coach, and wants to show solidarity with him. In yet another showing of confidence within the team, in a game where the short-handed Huskers found themselves even more short-handed they had to rely on Ollie to play in an important moment. Ollie when Norman Dale took over at the first practice didn’t even consider himself a member of the team because of his small stature. Coach Dale put him in the game and his patience was tested with a handful of poor plays but then he was sent to the free throw line for two free throws down one point. Coach Norman Dale showed his belief in Ollie in the huddle before the free throws by saying “After Ollie makes both free throws” to run back on

This article discussed how all people can play sled hockey. It also gives certain stories about people with disabilities, who were able to play with other people. For example, a boy named Liam Flanagan loves the battle of sled hockey. Liam has a non degenerative neuro tumor condition and he said, “It was the first team sport I played that my team played the same way I did.” This really inspired and helped to show me the benefits of non profit organizations like the NorthEast Sled Hockey League. I think it is really important we have these types of leagues so that everybody has the opportunity to participate in competitive

Another motivation technique he used was inspiration. He saw the goal that he wanted to achieve and he went out and got it. He did not pick the most talented players, but he picked the ones he knew would come together and do great things. A good example of this is with the goalie. He picked a backup goalie and believed in him. This goalie became great and was a major part of the successes the team had. Herb continued to tell his team that they had so much potential and it did not matter if the Soviets were better and had more experience. He was able to inspire the team to buy in to his methods and achieve greatness. At first I did not understand why Herb did not pick the best of the best, but now I realize that he did not do this because the team would not have meshed very well. He knew the strength of these players and believed in them. As a

When Team USA beat the Soviet in 1980 it was important for the US hockey world because that team was seeded seventh entering the game against the Soviet Union. During the 1980 Olympic run the average was 22 and all the players were that year were both amateur and college players and the Soviet’s team was mainly professional and experienced players. This win gave coach Herb Brooks a place in history because he did something no other USA coach has done for the last twenty years and that is beat Russia, and he was named sportsman of the year in 1990.

Every hockey player has heard the soundbite of Al Michaels shouting “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!” after the 1980 American team took down the international powerhouse of the Soviet Union. During a time of uneasiness and frustration towards the current political climate, the young American hockey team gave the public something to be proud about. A true “miracle on ice” gave the country a strong presence within the hockey world. Going into the game against the Soviets in the semifinals of the 1980 Olympic games, Herb Brooks gave one of the most inspirational speeches known to date. This speech was portrayed word for word in the Disney film, Miracle, released in 2004 directed by Gavin O’Conner. Although Herb Brooks’ rhetoric sounds as if he is referencing the Cold War, that did not seem to be the case. Herb’s rhetoric seemed to be solely hockey driven: his significant playing and coaching career as well as his astonishing dedication to the game uncover his motivation prior to the miracle game. Close analysis and research reveals Herb and his players have rejected many attempts of being used as a political pawn after defeating Russia in the miracle on ice. This victory indeed boosted the nation’s spirits regarding the war, but the game had little to no impact on the outcome between the two governments.

In 1994, the Canadian Federal government compromised and voted to make hockey Canada’s National Winter Sport and lacrosse Canada’s National Summer Sport. Which Sport should be named Canada’s true national sport? Hockey is in the blood of all Canadians. Millions can vividly remember the first time they put on a pair of skates and stepped onto the ice. Providing nation-wide entertainment, Canadians are overcome by emotional realization that “Canada is hockey.”- Mike Weir. Generations of Canadians were brought up listening to Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday evening on the radio. It is more than just a sport in Canada, it defines the culture. Look no further than the five-dollar bill. One will observe a group of children playing a game

Synopsis: When the USSR hockey team took on the United States in the 1980 Olympics, more than just a gold medal was on the line. Probably one of the most political games in history, this particular game symbolized one of many “battles” of the Cold War. In the, movie Miracle, this story of the underdog is told over, with a strong focus on American coach Herb Brooks and his relationship with his team. The movie highlights the extremely hard work done by the team and the demanding Coach Brooks unrelenting passion to win no matter what. The crux of the movie lies within the game with the Soviet union and those stomach wrenching moments before the game even started, as players knew that at this point it was make it or break it.