SPORTS VIDEO DAILY

source: http://www.cleveland.com/olympics/index.ssf/2010/02/sidney_crosbys_ot_goal_a_fitti.html

Wrapping up the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Canadians take on team USA in men’s hockey for the gold medal.  Canada held a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period but the US fought back with a goal by Ryan Kesler to cut the deficit to one.  USA goalie Ryan Miller kept his team’s hopes alive by not allowing any scoring by Canada in the 3rd period.  In the last minute of regulation Miller went to the bench for an extra skater.  Zach Parise picked up a loose puck and tied the game with just 24 seconds left.  But it was the home nation that would prevail in overtime on a goal by Sidney Crosby assisted by Jarome Iginla.

CLICK HERE TO SEE TEAM CANADA DEFEAT USA FOR THE GOLD MEDAL

source: http://www.ushockeyhall.com/olympic.cfm

In a series of events that would be repeated 20 years later in Lake Placid, the US Olympic hockey team defeats the Russians.  It took place in Squaw Valley, CA in the fourth game of the medal round on a goal by Bill Christian that broke a 2-2 tie with 5:01 left in the 3rd period.  The US wins the game 3-2 and would go on to win the gold medal.

source: http://www.olympic.org/en/Multimedia-Player/All-Photos/1980/02/24/2850913-10/

WHAT YOU KNOW:  The Miracle on Ice team in 1980 won the gold medal in Lake Placid, NY.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW:  The famous call by Al Michaels, “do you believe in miracles, YES!” occurred at the end of the win over the Soviet Union which was the first of two games in the medal round.  The second game in the medal round was against Finland but was technically not a gold medal game (Finland did not win a medal and finished 4th).  Medal standings were based on points earned in the medal round plus points earned in the preliminary round against the teams that qualified for the medal round.  2 points were awarded for a win and 1 point for a tie.  A win vs. Finland would give the US 5 points (2 vs. Finland and 2 vs. Russia in the medal round, 1 vs. Sweden in the preliminary round) and the gold medal.  The final game of the Olympics against Finland was tied at 2-2 in the third period until Rob McClanahan scored the go ahead goal as shown in the first video.  The second video shows footage after the US goes up 4-2 through the end of the game.

source: http://advancement.sdsu.edu/marcomm/features/2007/primetime.html

Recognized as perhaps the greatest upset in the history of team sports, a collection of amateur hockey players from the United States defeated the best national hockey team in the world.  Less than 2 weeks prior the Russians defeated the US olympic hockey team 10-3 in an exhibition game.  What made this game larger than life was the cultural significance of the United States struggle with Russia during the cold war and the now famous call by Al Michaels in the final seconds of the game…”Do you believe in miracles…YES!”