The 1980 Miracle on Ice

     The "Miracle on Ice" was the final medal winning game during the men's ice hockey tournament at the 1980 Winter Olympic hosted in New York, played between the United States (who were hosting) and the Soviet Union (the four-time defending gold medalists).
     The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games and seemed to be the clear winners for this Olympic games. The Soviet team consisted primarily of professional players in comparison to the United States' team which consisted exclusively of amateur players and was the youngest team in the tournament and in U.S. history. Up until now, the two teams were both unbeaten.
      For the first game in the medal round, the United States played the Soviets. Finishing the first period tied at 2–2, and the Soviets leading 3–2 following the second, the U.S. team scored two more goals to take their first lead during the third and final period, winning the game 4–3. Following the game, the U.S. went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland. The Soviet Union took the silver medal by beating Sweden.
     The victory became one of the most iconic moments of the Games and in U.S. sports. Equally well-known was the television call of the final seconds of the game by Al Michaels for ABC, in which he declared: "Do you believe in miracles?! YES!" Which is where the name "Miracle on Ice" comes from. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the "Miracle on Ice" the top sports moment of the 20th century. As part of its centennial celebration in 2008, the International Ice Hockey Federation named the "Miracle on Ice" as the best international ice hockey story of the past 100 years.

Final Minute of the "Miracle of Ice"