WASHINGTON — Do you continue to consider in miracles?
The historic USA hockey staff that toppled the mighty Soviet Union on the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics obtained one more honor Friday, as members of the legendary squad met with President Trump within the White Home to commemorate the unforgettable win.
Trump was surrounded by cowboy-hat-wearing gamers from the “Miracle on Ice” squad — a scrappy group of amateurs who pulled off a victory many believed was unattainable — after signing laws Wednesday honoring their achievement.
“The entire world anticipated the Soviets to win — until the ice melted,” Trump stated, recounting the overwhelming odds dealing with the US’ 1980 hockey staff towards the Soviets who hadn’t misplaced an Olympic sport since 1968 and was coming off 4 straight gold medal wins.
Simply weeks earlier than the Olympics, the us had crushed the People 10-3 in an exhibition.
“It was not fairly,” Trump stated. “Individuals weren’t even wanting ahead to this sport.”
Then got here Feb. 22, 1980.
Regardless of the chances, the People surged via the match and earned a rematch towards the Soviets. They trailed thrice earlier than pulling forward late within the third interval, hanging on for what has since been referred to as the longest, scariest 10 minutes in sports activities historical past.
“That staff united us,” Trump stated. “They impressed us. No one thought it was doable. Nevertheless it confirmed that something is feasible.”
Goaltender Jim Craig, who stood on his head throughout a second-period Soviet barrage, and captain Mike Eruzione — who scored the go-ahead objective to make it 4-3 — had been amongst these honored.
Carrying a smile, Eruzione stated sporting a “USA jersey” and “taking part in in your nation” alone was a excessive honor, thanking Trump for the Friday recognition.
“What an honor it was for us to place that jersey on and achieve what we completed,” he stated. I’ve all the time stated the gold medal is one thing that’s unimaginable, however that is the frosting on the cake to obtain an honor like this.”
Throughout a Q&A, Eruzione reminded reporters that the miracle didn’t finish with the Soviet win.
“If we don’t beat Finland, we’re not right here,” he stated. “We closed the deal.”
The American staff was made up of college-level gamers of their teenagers and early 20s as a result of Olympic guidelines on the time forbade professionals from collaborating. They had been determined underdogs towards a Soviet squad that was made up of principally older gamers who had been on the stage of high NHL stars, however had been unable to go professional within the west due to Communist-era legal guidelines.
The US victory over the Soviets got here within the first medal spherical. The victory prompted the decision by announcer Al Michaels on the closing buzzer “Do you consider in miracles? Sure!”, which then led to the nickname of the historic win.
They then needed to play Finland to safe the gold medal, which they did in a 4-2 victory.
The invoice was sponsored by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), a former hockey participant himself, who referred to as the 1980 victory a turning level for the nation.
“They modified the sport of hockey,” Stauber stated. “They gave this nation the power it wanted at a time once we wanted it.”
Home Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) echoed his remarks, saying the gamers “lifted a whole nation out of the ditch.”
“It didn’t matter the place they got here from — Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan,” Emmer stated. “They had been all People.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) additionally attended, having co-leading the invoice in Congress with Stauber.
“Lake Placid in New York’s twenty first Congressional District is residence to the famed Miracle on Ice sport that was one of the vital moments in sports activities historical past and much more vital in twentieth century world historical past,” Stefanik stated in an announcement.
“Thanks to the legendary staff that earned its place in US historical past with a rare underdog victory that embodied the triumph, grit, and willpower of the American spirit throughout the Chilly Conflict.”
