#TBT: 37 Years Ago Today, A Miracle Happened
37 years ago today, the USA believed in Miracles. Today is the day when the United States played the Soviet Union. The United States, who were only college hockey players were a complete underdog coming into this game against the thought to be unstoppable USSR. Before this game the United States played Russia once where they were defeated by a large margin. USA led by goalie Jimmy Craig and captain Mike Eruzione came into this game hoping for a chance to play for gold against Finland, but first they had to get past Russia. The USSR would get the first tally in the game, but the Americans would be able to tie the game on a goal from Buzz Schneider to tie the game at 1. Then Russia would be able to score giving them the 2-1 lead, but just as the period was expiring, Mark Johnson would score with one second left to tie the game, making this the first time the USSR gave up 2 goals in the first period. The second period saw Russia pulling their starter for the first time in forever. Coming to the end of the 2nd the USSR was pulling ahead with a 3-2 lead which could have been worse without Jim Craig in net. Starting the 3rd the Americans would be able to fight back with a goal by Mark Johnson to tie the game. Then, the Americans fought back with a goal from captain by Mike Eruzione to give the Americans the lead for the first time. The USSR was putting on a pounding, but Jim Craig stood on his head making key saves for the Americans. The USA would cap off their victory with the announcers saying with 5 seconds left “Do you believe in miracles, YES!!”
