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President Donald Trump will honor the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, which achieved a famous victory over the Soviet Union en route to winning the gold medal in Lake Placid as Congress signed the Gold Medal Act on Friday.
“President Trump will honor the legendary 1980 men's Olympic hockey team. “It was a 'Miracle on Ice' that led to a historic and symbolic victory over the Soviet Union,” White House spokesman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. “The triumph sparked renewed national pride as Americans across the country watched Team USA unexpectedly take home the gold medal. No one is more committed to respecting American greatness and patriotism than President Trump.”
The team, which included amateurs and college players, completed the “Miracle on Ice” by defeating the Soviet Union, long considered the favorite and an international power. The victory gave the Americans a chance to win gold, which the Stars and Stripes achieved by defeating Finland two days later.
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Team USA players celebrate on the ice after winning the medal match against the Soviet Union during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Olympic Field at the Olympic Center. The scene took place in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980. (Eric Schweikardt/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Mike Eruzion, Jim Craig, Buzz Schneider and the widow and children of the late Herb Brooks are scheduled to attend the ceremony.
The Soviets famously crushed the United States in a pre-Olympic friendly at Madison Square Garden, but the Americans caught fire at just the right moment.
The Russians famously benched longtime starting goaltender Vladislav Tretiak after he conceded a goal with a second left in the first period that tied the score at two.
Mike Eruzione participates in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the start of the game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” on February 22, 2020. (Stephen R. Silvani/USA TODAY Sports)
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The Americans trailed 3-2 heading into third, but Mark Johnson tied the game midway through the final period. Less than two minutes later, Eruzione scored what would ultimately be the winning goal and was surrounded by the crowd on the ice.
“Miracle on Ice” comes from Al Michaels' famous speech in which he rhetorically asked the audience, “Do you believe in miracles?” He answered his question decisively: “Yes!”
American hockey player Mike Eruzion of Team USA shakes hands with the Soviet Union during a 1980 exhibition game at Madison Square Garden. The scene took place in New York, New York on February 9, 1980. (Bruce Bennett Studio via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
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The team's victory was depicted in the 2004 Disney film “Miracle.”
Nineteen players from that game went on to play in the NHL—Johnson and Slava Fetisov were teammates on the New Jersey Devils, but Fetisov was traded from the Devils to the Detroit Red Wings midway through the 1994–95 season, and they ended up facing each other in the Stanley Cup Final. Fetisov later won back-to-back Cups with Detroit.
Eruzione did not play after the Miracle on Ice, declaring that he had achieved his hockey goals.
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