Miracle on Ice: The Boys of ‘80 (Netflix)

[UConnTrumbull]

I am a sucker for any Miracle on Ice content and I’m not even much of a hockey fan. New documentary just came out with most of the 1980 team. It’s great and details the entire tournament not just the game versus the Soviets. Yesterday I rewatched the ESPN 30 for 30 “Of Miracles and Men” which shows the Soviet perspective on the event. Strangely both perspectives are pretty similar. Soviets admitted that they were cocky, did not respect the American team, had a bit too much fun the night before the game, etc.

There was a little about the geopolitical background but not as much as you would think.

I wasn’t born yet so I really will never understand how big that game was as a cultural event. Some times history dramatizes these events so I’m wondering - anyone remember 1980 and what it meant to the country? Was it as big as they say or was it more of a nice little distraction?

 

[JeannoCT]

First of all, I'm depressed that you were even born yet! I was a senior in college; it was a HUGE event. We ran to breakfast and ran back to our rooms to watch the game. Now, I graduated from a Catholic Women's College, and we were so into it, even the non-hockey fans. I was probably the only hockey fan in our group! The Soviet Union was heavily favored, and as I remember, most of the players were "pros." Our team consisted of amateurs/college kids. It truly was a "miracle on ice"; we went on to defeat Finland for the gold. We still talk about it. It indeed was a special time.

 

[Bomber36]

It was huge. I was at UConn at the time and we partied hard.

This was a great documentary. Loved the player interviews and the way they really opened up about the memories. Also, a nice look at Herb Brooks and what drove him. Highly recommend.

 

[Deepster]

Wow. What a great documentary. I loved seeing their current reactions to clips they hadn’t seen in a while. Jim Craig looking for his Dad in the stands killed me. And the leadership and motivation of Herb Brooks.

I was 13 when it happened and I just remember my Dad being excited and hearing cars beeping their horns outside.

 

[Methalius]

I was 8. I remember we had a day off for February vacation. My brother was 11. He made me watch. I still thank him every few years for making me watch the game. We lived near a lake and at like 10:30 at night there was over 100 people out on the ice playing hockey trying to recreate what we all just saw. Needless to say I was a hockey FANATIC after that day. At least until the Whalers moved to North Carolina....

 

[storrsroars]

One on hand, it was a really well done doc, giving details that I'd never heard before. OTOH, I felt sad for Herb Brooks when it was all over. I get his motivation, but damn. You look at how hard JC was on his kids but also that so many of those players come back to Storrs to celebrate JC. I can't imagine those players feel as charitable for Brooks even 40 years later.

 

[Palatine]

It was stunning. The game wasn't televised, so we got the news on TV or from friend. It was a moment where the whole country went "WHAT!??!! They beat the Russians? Ff#ck!"
We all hated those commies. People who didn't know a puck from a dish rag were elated. Still the greatest upset in sports history.

 

[John]

I am a sucker for any Miracle on Ice content and I’m not even much of a hockey fan. New documentary just came out with most of the 1980 team. It’s great and details the entire tournament not just the game versus the Soviets. Yesterday I rewatched the ESPN 30 for 30 “Of Miracles and Men” which shows the Soviet perspective on the event. Strangely both perspectives are pretty similar. Soviets admitted that they were cocky, did not respect the American team, had a bit too much fun the night before the game, etc.

There was a little about the geopolitical background but not as much as you would think.

I wasn’t born yet so I really will never understand how big that game was as a cultural event. Some times history dramatizes these events so I’m wondering - anyone remember 1980 and what it meant to the country? Was it as big as they say or was it more of a nice little distraction?

The Soviet teams were very good, they'd regularly beat NHL teams - makes the Miracle even more notable:


The Super Series were exhibition games between Soviet teams and NHL teams that took place on the NHL opponents' home ice in North America from 1976 to 1991. The Soviet teams were usually club teams from the Soviet hockey league. The exception was in 1983, when the Soviet National Team represented the Soviet Union. A total of 18 series were held; the Soviet teams won 14 and the NHL won 2, with the remaining two series tied. 98 games were played across the 18 series, with Soviet teams posting an overall record of 55–33–10

Super Series - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Waquoit]

It was shown on tape delay. Everyone knew the outcome when it finally televised. I've always suspected Al Michaels' call was a do-over. hat was standard ABC practice back then.

 

[BlueHen]

It was shown on tape delay. Everyone knew the outcome when it finally televised. I've always suspected Al Michaels' call was a do-over. hat was standard ABC practice back then.

I didn't. I knew there was tape delay but hadn't heard the score ahead of time. It wasn't like today, where you would have to sequester yourself to avoid knowing the result.

Without a doubt the greatest sporting event that I have ever watched.

 

[gwhuskyfan]

Really liked the doc. Also someone who wasn't alive at the time... random thing I found fascinating was that speed skating happened outside. Had no idea and really liked it