On this day in 1980, the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, saw one of the most thrilling and historic moments in sports history: the "Miracle on Ice" ice hockey game.
The United States men's team, composed mainly of amateur players, was pitted against the heavily favored Soviet Union team, which had won gold medals in five previous Winter Olympic Games.
Led by head coach Herb Brooks, the U.S. team achieved several surprising results in the group stage, including a 7-3 upset victory over Czechoslovakia.
The United States played the Soviets in the first game of the medal round and was tied at 2-2 after the first period, but the Soviets led 3-2 after the second.
However, the U.S. team scored two goals to take the lead midway through the third period and held on to win 4-3, causing an upset victory that became one of the most iconic moments in U.S. sports history.
Two days later, the U.S. won the gold medal by beating Finland in their final game, and the Soviet Union took the silver medal by beating Sweden.
The "Miracle on Ice" victory was so significant that it was named the top sports moment of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated in 1999.
The game's television call by Al Michaels, in which he exclaimed, "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" during the final seconds, is also a well-known and celebrated moment in sports broadcasting.
In 2008, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) named the "Miracle on Ice" the best international ice hockey story of the past 100 years, cementing its place as one of the most thrilling moments in sports history.
#ThisDayInHistory
February 22, 1980
I grew up in Minnesota playing hockey against some of those guys in the 70’s... epic period in state hockey... best sport in the world ❤️ 🏒 🙏🏻
🏒 An epic that will never, can never, be equalled. 🥇