This Day In History

February 22, 1980 is the date of one of the most astounding feats in sport, and over forty years later serves as a sentimental reminder of simple times, unifying events, and unashamed patriotism.

We all probably know the story. Brash, amateur Americans beating the odds by even making it to the medal round in the 1980 Olympics. Cold War drama as if from a movie, with the US team facing the Soviets for the chance to play for the gold medal. What many forget is that just two weeks earlier the same US team was destroyed 10-3 by the Soviets in the final pre-Olympic exhibition. Regardless, the cliche ‘team of destiny’ applied to these young men (the youngest team at those Olympics), and after they dispatched the Soviets they moved on to beat Finland (another come from behind victory!) to win the gold medal.

Those two Olympic weeks serve as the only time I’ve been captivated by the sport of hockey, though I’ve tried unsuccessfully on many occasions to ‘get into’ the sport. I recall watching the USA-Soviet game, and then running outside to relive it with my plastic hockey stick on our frozen New Hampshire driveway. It still brings up feelings of pride.