The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY was the 14th Olympic Championship….as 12 teams competed in the tournament….which was held from February 12 to 24….when the United States won its second gold medal in Olympic competition (1st was 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Games)….including a win over the heavily favored Soviet Union that became known as the “Miracle on Ice”….as games were held at the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Fieldhouse.
This gold medal game was played on February 24, 1980…..as the USA team took a 4 – 2 victory over Finland…..for USA team was coached by Herb Brooks….with the members consisting of pure amateurs and collegiate players including Bill Baker, Neal Broten, Dave Christian, Steve Christoff, Jim Craig, Mike Eruzione, John Harrington, Steve Janaszak, Mark Johnson, Rob McClanahan, Ken Morrow, Jack O’Callahan, Mark Pavelich, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider, Dave Silk, Eric Strobel, Bob Suter, Phil Verchota and Mark Wells…..when this bunch of “youngbloods” stunned the Soviets and put away the Finns to win gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games….a gold medal that earned the entire team the prestigious Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award later in 1980.
This final victory over Finland established these young men as true American heroes for all time….which makes this gold medal game MUST SEE TV for any American sports fan.
