Tonight on ESPN Classics

[HockeyPat]

9:00 PM Channel 66* ESPNC
Classic Hockey
1980: USSR vs. USA
120 min.
From 1980: USSR vs. the U.S. in an Olympic semifinal. The U.S. won to advance to the gold-medal game. (VCR Plus+ 9743313)

[tommy]

Very appropriate... I'll be watching. I'm way too young to have seen the real thing, so this oughta be great.

On that topic, there was also an article on the importance of the game to America, in the N and O today. The link oughta be online.

[Guyute]

Thanks Pat.

I believe I'll tivo that one and keep it around until we get that standalone dvd burner. :)

I was only 7 at the time, but I was already into and playing hockey... and remember watching that game quite vividly. I've of course seen it many times since then.. but that first time with my dad utterly freaking out was quite fun. what an inspired game.

[HockeyPat]

I was in ninth grade and I remember it quite well. My father was an Air Force pilot and I grew up hanging out at Seymour Johnson AFB. It was a big time deal to beat the Russians at everthing and beating them at Hockey was even better since they were using what we considered professional players.

It has to be one of the greatest sports memories in my life.

[Guyute]

It was a big time deal to beat the Russians at everthing and beating them at Hockey was even better since they were using what we considered professional players.

It has to be one of the greatest sports memories in my life.

absolutely

[Turbulence]

I've seen specials about it but I don't think I've ever seen the entire game...and I can't wait. Should be a good show...
...thanks for the alert, Pat.
I guess this is part of a Herb Brooks-a-thon?

[folgersnyourcup]

That game was awesome. The ESPN classics broadcast of it just finished up about 15 minutes ago and I was watching it for the first time (born in '83) I can only imagine how amazing it must have been to have watched it on television (or listened on the radio live) when it originally took place.

[MeanGene]

Thanks Pat.

I believe I'll tivo that one and keep it around until we get that standalone dvd burner. :)



A little off subject, but I saw that HP has one coming out in a few months. I believe it is $399.

O.K. Back on subject now. :)

[HockeyPat]

I remember being huddled around with my friends not really believing that we could beat the commies, huh, Soviets. When we went down 3-2, I was so afraid that would be how the game ended.

Man did we hate the Ruskies.

Last Tuesday I was literally walking on air since my beloved Canes signed Russian Danny Markov. Isn’t hatred a stupid thing!

Man I wish the terrorist played hockey instead of thinking up new ways to hurt innocent people. :sad:

[Captain Slack]

Wow! Twenty-three years later and that game still brings a swell of pride. Glad I finally got to see it.

[Guyute]

so they did actually show it?? argh.

the guide said they were showing USFL... so I got bummed out then moved on. dammit.

[IcyRed]

so they did actually show it?? argh.

the guide said they were showing USFL... so I got bummed out then moved on. dammit.

Me too, I surfed by and saw the USFL thing and just kept moving.....bummer.

Boy do I remember that match....and thinking how unfair it was that our true amateurs had to play those big goons! I don't think any sports event, whether participating or spectating has moved me so much, hell, I'm getting a lump in my throat just typing this...wow.

Icy

[mr. chubby]

oh no!! i cant believe i missed it. I own "Do You Believe in Miracles?" but have never seen the COMPLETE game, or close to it ( I know they cut slower parts out on ESPNC). hope they replay it

[Jillsdad]

Watched it again last night. Still get goosebumps when Johnson scores with one second left in the first and when Eruzione scores to give the US the lead at 4-3. Al Michaels call is ingrained in my brain forever, and I remember watching the tape delay of the game on that Friday night in 1980. If it hadn't been for PBS(which my parents were watching) and Louis Reukeyser telling everyone that the US had won the game it would have been even better but it was still awesome and to this day I still get tears in my eyes everytime I see it.

[Lady J]

What an unbelievable game... I was jumping up off the couch yelling like it was just happening. Excellent. :evil:
And the supplemental interviews with the players and commentators (wow... Jim McKay has ALWAYS had a comb-over!) just made it all come back to life. :vamp:

[nccanes]

What an unbelievable game... I was jumping up off the couch yelling like it was just happening. Excellent. :evil:
And the supplemental interviews with the players and commentators (wow... Jim McKay has ALWAYS had a comb-over!) just made it all come back to life. :vamp:

LOL Lady. I was "nervous" at the end, like I didn't know the outcome.:laugh:

And Lady I don't think that McKay always had the combover, but he's about 153 now, so he was only 130 at the time of the Lake Placid Olympics. Still old enough to have the combover legally. ;)

(;)I love and respect McKay - have his autobiography.)

[moonstomper]

Man I wish I watched that instead of cartoons :mad:

[Romney]

I was quite taken with the 1980 team. Maybe I should resurrect my SI that they were on the cover and my posters. I have the "official" team poster and one of Jim Craig draped in the flag. Also some signed 8X10s from Craig. Always a packrat.

[RIO]

The "Halloween" style hockey mask was enough to make it totally cool. :beatup:

[Lady J]

LOL Lady. I was "nervous" at the end, like I didn't know the outcome.:laugh:

:vamp: Too funny... I feel so silly, but I do that CONSTANTLY. At least I know I'm in good company. ;)

And Lady I don't think that McKay always had the combover, but he's about 153 now, so he was only 130 at the time of the Lake Placid Olympics. Still old enough to have the combover legally. ;)

(;)I love and respect McKay - have his autobiography.)

Most of the times I saw him were for the Triple Crown races ~ I used to follow the stakes races pretty religiously. Even then, he had to be at least half a million years old, but ALWAYS an excellent commentator. I haven't seen him on the air much recently ~ last time he announced a race, he wasn't looking so good. :| How is his autobiography?

[nccanes]

How is his autobiography?

I really enjoyed it, but ABC's Wide World of Sports is a big childhood memory for me. So it was great to read about the birth of his career and WWoS and going to the Soviet Union to broadcast the first sports from there, the terrorists at the '72 Munich Olympics, how special the British Open is to him, etc. Really a nice trip down memory lane and very Jim McKay-ish (fancy that?).

I think they still dust him off for a few events every once and awhile.

Okay, obligatory thread topic contribution: Does anyone have handy the exact date/time/day of week for that game? I remember watching as I was babysitting some neighbor's kids, but I'm now getting fuzzy on whether it was the USSR or the Gold Medal game vs. Finland.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Everytime I watch that game I cry....and Jim Craig looking for his daddy!! Wow!! :cry:

The first year of the Jimmy V, Mike Eurizione (sp?) was there..what an honor it was to see him and know what he and that team accomplished! :D