When Underdogs Sealed Olympic Gold Against Finland

# The Miracle on Ice: February 24, 1980

On February 24, 1980, Lake Placid, New York witnessed what would forever be etched in sports history as one of the greatest upsets of all time. While many remember February 22nd as the date of the "Miracle on Ice" game against the Soviets, February 24th was actually the day that sealed the deal – when the U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated Finland 4-2 to capture the gold medal, completing their improbable journey from underdogs to champions.

After the euphoria of beating the seemingly invincible Soviet Union two days earlier, Team USA faced a dangerous letdown situation. The win over the Soviets didn't guarantee gold – they still had to beat Finland, and if they lost, they could have finished as low as fourth place. This created an almost unbearable pressure situation for coach Herb Brooks and his young squad of college players and amateurs.

The game started disastrously. Finland, no pushover themselves, jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the first period. The Americans looked flat, exhausted both physically and emotionally from the Soviet game. In the locker room between periods, Brooks delivered one of his most memorable speeches, reportedly telling his players, "If you lose this game, you'll take it to your graves."

The words ignited something. In the final two periods, the Americans found another gear. Phil Verchota tied the game early in the second period. Then Rob McClanahan gave the U.S. a 3-2 lead. But it was captain Mike Eruzione's teammate Mark Johnson – who had scored twice against the Soviets – who sealed it with a goal midway through the third period, making it 4-2.

The final minutes were agonizing. As the clock wound down, ABC commentator Al Michaels, who had called the Soviet game, watched the American players mob goaltender Jim Craig at the final buzzer. The image of Craig, draped in an American flag, searching the crowd for his father, became one of the most iconic in Olympic history.

What made this gold medal so special was the context. The Cold War was at its peak. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan had just occurred months earlier, leading President Carter to boycott the Moscow Summer Olympics. Iranian hostages remained captive. America needed something to rally around, and these college kids from Boston University, Minnesota, and other schools delivered.

The team's average age was 21. They had been together for just six months. They lost to the Soviets 10-3 in an exhibition game at Madison Square Garden just days before the Olympics began. Nobody gave them a chance. But Brooks had built something special – a team that was greater than the sum of its parts, playing a hybrid style that combined North American physicality with European speed and finesse.

The February 24th gold medal game often gets overshadowed by the Soviet game's drama, but it was arguably more important. Had they lost to Finland, the Soviet victory would have been remembered as a great moment that didn't translate to gold. Instead, by winning on February 24th, they completed the mission and created a legacy that transcends sports.

This ragtag group of Americans proved that determination, teamwork, and belief could overcome seemingly impossible odds. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's gold medal on February 24th remains a testament to the power of sports to unite and inspire a nation.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI