Inside the hockey rink where a 1980 Olympic victory changed Cold War America forever

Lake Placid Olympic Center (New York)

The Soviet Union had not lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968.

But on a cold night in Lake Placid, 20 American college players changed everything. Coach Herb Brooks had molded his squad through brutal training.

Here’s what happened at the Olympic Center that night, a place that is now considered the greatest upset in sports history.

Coach Herb Brooks Paved the Way

Coach Herb Brooks built the U.S. team in the summer of 1979. In preparation, they played 61 exhibition games and won 42.

Brooks taught them a European-style system called “the weave,” emphasizing puck movement.

During the Olympic prelims, they tied Sweden 2-2 on February 12, then beat Czechoslovakia 7-3 on February 14.

They advanced with a surprising 4-0-1 record.

The Soviet Dominance In the Olympics

The Soviets arrived at Lake Placid as the clear gold medal favorites. They were full-time professional athletes, unlike the amateur Americans.

Just days before the Olympics, the Soviets crushed the Americans 10-3 in a New York City exhibition game. The result surprised no one.

Their team featured the world’s best goalie, Vladislav Tretiak, and star forwards like Valeri Kharlamov and Vladimir Krutov.

The Soviet’s First Period Breakthrough

On February 22, 1980, Vladimir Krutov scored first at 9:12 of the opening period.

His shot slipped past American goalie Jim Craig, giving the Soviets a 1-0 lead. Buzz Schneider tied it minutes later with a booming shot past Tretiak.

Schneider, nicknamed “Buzzy,” was the only player who had been on the 1976 Olympic team. But Sergei Makarov restored the Soviet lead with under three minutes left.

Then, with just a second remaining, Mark Johnson buried a rebound to tie it 2-2. That last-second goal changed the game’s tone completely.

The Controversial Goalie Change

Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov made a decision that would haunt history forever.

He benched star goalie Vladislav Tretiak after Johnson’s buzzer-beater. Backup Vladimir Myshkin replaced him to start the second period.

Though Myshkin was good, he lacked Tretiak’s intimidating presence. The move shocked both fans and Soviet players.

Removing Tretiak gave the Americans a jolt of hope. Years later, former Soviet player Slava Fetisov called the decision “crazy.”

The Soviets Dominate The Second Period

The Soviets overwhelmed the U.S. in the second period, with Alexander Maltsev scoring a power play just two minutes in, making it 3-2.

But Jim Craig kept the Americans in the game with spectacular saves.

Without his outstanding play, the Soviets would have built a much larger lead. By the end of the period, the shot total was 30-10 for the Soviets.

Still, Team USA trailed by just one goal.

Johnson’s Game-Tying Goal In The Third

Midway through the third, Krutov was penalized for high-sticking.

Mark Johnson took advantage, scoring his second goal at the 8:39 mark to tie the score 3-3. Coach Brooks shortened player shifts to keep his team fresh.

The Soviets, sticking to longer rotations, began to look winded. Johnson’s goal energized both the American team and the home crowd.

Right after, the building erupted with deafening cheers.

Final Ten Minutes Showdown

After Eruzione’s goal, the Americans faced the toughest ten minutes in U.S. hockey history. The Soviets fired shot after shot, but Jim Craig stayed unbreakable.

He made nine critical saves in the third period alone.

With one minute left, Tikhonov pulled Myshkin for an extra skater. In the final minute, Soviet coach Tikhonov pulled his goalie for an extra attacker.

The U.S. held firm and cleared the puck with five seconds remaining.

Al Michaels’ Iconic Call of Victory

As time ran out, ABC’s broadcaster Al Michaels made the iconic call that became forever tied to this game.

“Do you believe in miracles? YES!”

Though the game began at 5 PM, it aired at 8 PM on tape delay. Nevertheless, the broadcast drew 36 million viewers.

Michaels won “Sportscaster of the Year” for his unforgettable call.

The Aftermath And Gold Medal Victory

Beating the Soviets didn’t win gold outright.

The Americans still had to play Finland two days later in their final game. They trailed Finland 2-1 after two periods but scored three in the third to win 4-2 and claim gold.

The Soviets beat Sweden for silver; Sweden took bronze. “Miracle on Ice” was later named the top sports moment of the 20th century.

Till date, the U.S. hockey team’s stunning upset over the Soviet Union in 1980 remains a defining moment in Olympic history (History.com Editors, 2024).

Visiting Lake Placid Olympic Center Today

The Olympic Center at 2634 Main Street is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

General admission costs $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12, with guided tours available for an additional $5 per person from 10 am to 3 pm.

They include the Herb Brooks Arena, locker rooms, and benches. Public skating and museum visits are also available on-site.

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