Gold

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46 years to the day the United States Miracle on Ice played out as the underdog American team beat the mighty Russians.

The USA hadn’t won gold since.

Until yesterday morning.

I wanted to watch the game that was to start at 8 a.m., and my roommates, Miller and Oliver made sure that I was up in plenty of time.

My cat and dog don’t understand the concept of the weekend.

They will make sure that I’m not late for work, that’s for sure. The cat is extremely annoying as he will get right in my face and yell at me.

So, I was up, and the first USA goal sent a chill up my spine as it was a great play.

Now, of course the game wasn’t quite the same as 1980. Every player on both teams is an NHL player.

Not quite the underdog story, but man, it was a great first period.

In the second, Canada took over, and tied the score and would’ve taken about a 5 goal lead had the goalie not been a brick wall.

I had a sinking feeling that it wasn’t going to work it out.

46 years of it not working out brings doubt.

(As an aside, I recall watching the game in 1980, and with the score tied late in the game the local newscaster, as a promo for the upcoming news, said: “America upsets the Russians!”)

Yeah. 

He had spoiled the end.

I was going to watch the end of this one, and the overtime session was a 3 on 3.

As skilled as those players are, I knew it wouldn’t last long…

…and the guy who’d had a couple of teeth knocked outscored the golden goal.

I haven’t watched a full hockey game in years, but I can’t say that anymore.

“How long until the Oompa Loompa takes credit for it?” Someone asked.

And that was the mixed feeling of it all.

It was a great game in a great tournament, and as the players headed for the podium, more than 70% of the country was left to wonder when the embarrassment was coming.

But.

Felt good to see the players celebrate.

Not quite 1980, but at least I didn’t know the outcome of the game before it ended.

Comments

deafjeff said…
Different era, different touney rules. Miracle was against the Russians but they had to beat Finland after to win the gold.
23 February, 2026
Cliff Fazzolari said…
Beating Finland was an after-thought but I definitely recalled the circumstances. The Russia game was certainly the biggest upset of all-time. A miracle.
23 February, 2026
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