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Miracle on Ice Story and photos by Danielle O'Connell
Three seconds before the U.S.A/Soviet game ended in 1980 the commentator of the game, Al Michaels yelled, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” The U.S. beat the undefeated Soviets, representing another win to add onto the miracle of the 1980 Olympics. This team of young college boys brought a nation together after a year of hardship. On February 23, 2005, a tribute to the
athletes of the 1980 Olympics called “A Night of Miracles, Memories
and Magic” was held at the 1980 ice rink where team U.S.A brought home
the gold. The night was dedicated to the hockey team and the other 1980
Olympic athletes.
The ice arena was packed with fans who wanted to show their thanks
to the athletes. The stadium was sold out and there was good reason
for that. Medal winners from the Alpine skiing, bobsled/luge, Nordic
skiing, and 17 of the 20 U.S.A hockey players all came to participate
in the celebration. Scott Hamiliton, a renowned ice skater that participated
in the Olympics, gave a speech about his memories of the 1980 games.
“What a 2 ½ weeks that was. Being able to carry the flag in the opening
ceremonies was a thrill of a lifetime, and an honor that I’ll always
hold as the highest ever given to me,” he ended his speech yelling,
“I LOOOOVE THIS TOWN!”
Part of the night was filled with performances by various ice skaters;
some from the 1980 Olympics, as well as other younger skaters who compete
on a national level. Jozef Sabovcik did an energetic and upbeat routine
to Bruce Springsteen’s “Mary’s Place,” with the crowd clapping to the
beat. An emotional moment came when Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner
performed together for the first time since their Olympic dreams were
smashed when Gardner hurt his leg. After 25 years, they received the
standing ovation that they had wanted for so long
The arena really came alive when the show turned to the U.S.A hockey
team. The hockey team was unlike any other. They didn’t just win games
in the Olympics; they brought a nation together. The team was made up
of college players, mostly from Boston and Minnesota. They had experience
on the ice, but not as much as the teams they were up against. Herb
Brooks, the head coach, pushed the boys physically and mentally to prepare
for their competition. The team underwent strenuous conditioning for
six months, then headed to the Olympics in
Lake Placid to face the toughest teams in the world.
Team Russia was known as the “Red Machine” and went undefeated for
12 consecutive years in the Olympics. The “Miracle
on Ice” happened on February 22nd, 1980, when team U.S.A played
team Russia. The boys were behind Russia by one point for most of the
game until the 3rd period, when a goal by team U.S.A. tied the score
at 3-3. Shortly thereafter, captain Mike Eruzione took control of the
puck and shot from 25 feet away, scoring the game-winning goal for the
U.S. Governor George Pataki, who came and spoke at the celebration, recalled his moment while watching the game, “I couldn’t watch the 3rd period. I was with my family and some friends and we watched the 1st period and I got a little excited. We watched the 2nd period and got extremely excited. I was driving everybody nuts. So while they sat in front of the television for the 3rd period, I went out and listened to the radio in the car so I could scream and yell because that was one of the greatest sporting events New York, America, and the world has ever seen.”
After Governor Pataki spoke, the crowd
was shown video clips of the boys. The arena was up on their feet whistling
and clapping as game clips played. When captain Mike
Eruzione walked out in front of the fans in the rink, he received
an ovation that shook the entire building. He spoke to the crowd about
his memories and experiences during the games stating, “We’ve been named
greatest sports moment of the century and greatest ESPN moment, but
the greatest moment for all of us was marching in the opening ceremony.
When we marched, it started a journey for us that we never would have
imagined, 25 years later, would have taken us back here to you.” The
crowd gave out another huge cheer and then Eruzione carried on thanking
them. “You opened your arms and hearts to us in 1980 and you have absolutely
opened them again the last couple of days. Not only to me, and my teammates,
but for all the Olympians. So thank you Lake Placid because you have
made this moment very very special.” Everyone was up on their feet.
The house lights went up and you could see the smiles on everyone’s
face and some others crying. The crowd was consumed by the moment and
a “U.S.A” chant erupted. Seeing the reaction from the people in the
stands after hearing Eruzione speak made it clear why he was the captain
of the U.S.A team. He inspired his team in 1980 the same way he inspired
the crowd that night.
The final part of the night was dedicated to the man that made the
whole miracle happen. The late Herb
Brooks, coach of the young hockey team, pushed them to their gold
in the Olympics. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t have been a celebration
25 years later. Sadly, Herb passed away August 11th, 2003 in a car accident.
The 17 players from the team, Herb’s wife, son, daughter, and George
Pataki came out in front of the crowd to pay tribute to Brooks. “This
miracle couldn’t have happened without a leader who took what he called
a bunch of pale college kids and turned them into the team who would
beat the dominating Soviets,” George Pataki stated, “It was his vision
and commitment that helped lead the way to the miracle on ice. Tonight
we honor the memory of that great coach. From tonight on, as we maintain
this great arena for generations to come, it will always be known as
the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.” A plaque was drawn with Herb Brooks face
on it. Everyone in the rink were up on their feet applauding the memory
of the great Herb Brooks.
The night ended with the cheers and yelling from the packed arena.
Red, white, and blue balloons fell from the ceiling. All of the people
that participated in the celebration came out in front of the crowd.
It was a night full of emotion that brought everyone there back to the
night of the hockey game. It felt as if we were back in the ice rink
on that very night the team brought home the gold. There are no other
sporting events that are celebrated in the same way as the 1980 games.
These Olympic athletes, especially the hockey team, touched the lives
of so many generations and will continue to do so for years to come.
From now on, Herb Brooks' plaque will stand outside of the arena for
everyone to see, and his memory will live on.
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1980 Team Roster Mike Eruzione Head coach- Herb Brooks |
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