MIRACLE ON ICE …43 YEARS LATER

In 1980, a group of amateur hockey players representing the United States of America accomplished what many considered to be impossible. Against all odds, they defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union hockey team.  That game is known as the " Miracle on Ice. " Let's take a closer look at this historic event.

The story of the Miracle on Ice begins with the announcement of the 1980 Winter Olympics, to be held in Lake Placid, New York. Young, inexperienced college players composed the United States' roster. Meanwhile the Soviet Union team consisted of seasoned professionals who  won the gold medal in six of the previous seven Olympic games.

As the teams took to the ice, the Soviet Union was widely expected to dominate the game. However, the American team had other plans. They came out aggressively, attacking the Soviet team with a physical and relentless style of play.

Early in the game, the Soviet Union scored the first goal, but the American team refused to back down. They continued to fight, and in the final seconds of the first period, they scored a goal to tie the game. The crowd erupted in celebration, and the players fed off that energy.

In the second period, the Soviet Union regained the lead with another goal, but the Americans continued to battle. They played with passion and intensity, and in the final minute of the period, they tied the game once again.

As the third period began, the score was tied at 2-2. The American players knew they had a chance to make history, and they seized the moment. With just ten minutes left in the game, the captain of the American team, Mike Eruzione, scored a goal to put the United States ahead.

The Soviet Union team fought back, but the American defense held strong. In the final seconds of the game, the Americans cleared the puck down the ice, and the crowd began to count down the seconds. When the final horn sounded, the American players rushed onto the ice, embracing each other in celebration.

The Miracle on Ice was more than just a hockey game. It was a symbol of the American spirit, a testament to the power of teamwork and determination. It showed that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and work together towards a common goal.

In the years since the Miracle on Ice, the game has become a defining moment in American sports history. The players on that team have become legends, their names etched into the annals of hockey history. And while they may have been underdogs on the ice, they will always be champions in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere.

Today we remember the Miracle on Ice during Wiki-Pete-ia on Shemon and Sheppard on ESPN Southwest Florida.