Miracle On Ice: The Sequel – The Sports Junkie At The 2010 Winter Olympics

From my perch high up in Section 305 at Canada Hockey Place on Sunday – I could’ve sworn that it was Al Michaels’ voice I heard calling from the broadcast booth – “Do you believe in… history repeating itself? YES!” – during the dying seconds of Team Canada’s 5-3 loss to Team USA.

Now I was a believer. For Team USA, they just may be starting to believe too.

Today – February 22nd – marks the 30th anniversary of the greatest upset in Olympic hockey history – The “Miracle on Ice” – when Team USA shocked the world by defeating the Russians 4-3 at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, en route to winning the gold medal.

It was 50 years ago this week when the U.S. last defeated Canada at the Olympics, a 2-1 victory at Squaw Valley in 1960. USA also went on to win the gold that year too.

USA's Ryan Miller Was The Difference

So when the Americans took to the ice Sunday as heavy underdogs in front of a 16,000+ hostile Canadian supporters, they came out ready to make some history of their own – dressed in those same 1960 throwback jerseys they wore the last time they defeated their hockey-mad neighbours to the north. The past was present.

It took only 0:41 seconds for Team USA to make their mark, as Brian Rafalski’s point shot deflected off the skate of Sidney Crosby and past Martin Brodeur for the game’s opening goal. The tone was set.

Later in the first period, only 0:22 seconds after Canada had tied it 1-1, an ill-advised clearing attempt by the normally unflappable Brodeur led to Rafalski burying his 2nd goal of the game. Their confidence growing, it was clear that this American squad wasn’t going away.

Late in the 2nd period, with the game now tied 2-2, Team USA capitalized on Brodeur getting caught horribly out of position, with Chris Drury scoring the go-ahead goal into an empty cage. The U.S. would never trail again.

TSJ Talks To A Legend - USA Goalie Jim Craig

During the 2nd intermission, I had the opportunity to meet with legendary goalie Jim Craig – the very man who backstopped Team USA to gold back in 1980 – for his take on the play of the games’ two goaltenders. He simply stated, “Miller’s playing unbelievably, while Brodeur’s over-handling the puck right now.”

Craig was right on. Unlike his Canadian counterpart, USA goalie Ryan Miller put on a clinic. He finished with 42 saves (compared to just 18 by Brodeur) and was unquestionably the difference in the hockey game. Brodeur was clearly not at his best, costing Team Canada by taking unnecessary chances with the puck – as highlighted by his risky clearing attempt that led directly to Team USA’s second goal.

The biggest question now facing the Canadians is who should play in goal. Despite his vast experience, Brodeur’s shaky start vs. Team USA opens the door for a change to Roberto Luongo between the pipes. Team Canada Head Coach Mike Babcock was unsure after the game regarding who his goalie will be in the Quarterfinal Qualifier vs. Germany, saying he’ll study the tapes of Sunday’s loss before making his decision. But if Babcock’s watching the same game I was, it’s a pretty safe bet that Luongo will be the man come Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there are no question marks in goal for Team USA. It’s Miller time. Thanks to his exploits, the Americans finish the round-robin as the #1 seed in the tournament. Unlike Canada, they’re in a favourable position to make a deep run, as they receive a bye into the Quarterfinals, where they’ll begin their quest vs. the winner of Switzerland/Belarus.

Whether Team USA can go on to capture hockey gold remains to be seen. But if history tells us anything, another “Miracle on Ice” just might be in the making.