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35 years ago today "The Miracle On Ice"

MACFLY

Too many streams too little time
The following excerpt was in an online new site today.

Thirty-five years ago today, I sat down in front of the TV with my family and 34 million other Americans to watch a hockey game. None of us knew how much our outlook on the world would change just a few hours later, but it did.

That night, 20 of our champions, in the most classic sense of the world, achieved the unthinkable, and reminded us that anything was possible. Years of malaise and fear that had paralyzed our nation were swept aside with feelings of hope and glory by the score of 4-3.

As a kid I grew up about 5 minutes from a skating ring and spent a good deal of my youth there when not playing baseball or fishing:)

It was a great place to grow up and I think I had just about every job you could have at an ice rink. I loved hockey but didn't play it much other then pickup games. All my siblings worked and skated at the rink as well.

During this time it was hard not to be affected by the world events in spite of my parents efforts to keep things normal. High unemployment, gas shortages, inflation, the post Vietnam malaise in addition to the Cold War with Russia was all part of the landscape. Some schools still practiced their emergency drills in the event of a nuclear bomb detonating in a city near you.

We were also sports enthusiasts and loved watching the Olympics. I recall not thinking too much about our hockey chances as my brothers told me the Russians were unbeatable and sure enough just before the games started we got pounded by the Russians 10-3 at the garden. Still we were all pretty excited to watch the winter Olympics and my mom even allowed us to watch the games while we ate dinner. I think she was equally excited to watch as well.

So 35 years ago today we gathered around the TV and watched completely Unaware of the miracle that would in fact come in 2 hours time. As the game progressed we were absolutely riveted to the set chanting USA USA USA and watching Jim Craig stop the Russian onslaught. Evey once in awhile I'd glance at my dad and see him with his eyes closed saying a quick prayer. I vividly recall the last 5 minutes of the game. We were all on our feet screaming with each stopped shot or when the puck cleared. We counted down the last 10 seconds then went wild high fiving each other and jumping around like we had win the game ourselves:) then I looked over at my mom who was actually teary eyed and hugging my dad. Outside of our house the whole block was outside chanting USA USA and celebrating. It was pretty cool and while I didn't fully appreciate the significance it was clear something bigger then winning the game had occurred.

If you have not seen the movie "miracle" definitely rent it as its a pretty accurate retelling of the story. As is often the case a seemingly innocuous event ended up giving the country a big shot in the arm. Amazing that 35 years have passed but I can recall it like it was yesterday...USA USA. USA!!!

And here it is the last 2 minutes

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88
 
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I vividly recall the last 5 minutes of the game. We were all on our feet screaming with each stopped shot or when the puck cleared. We counted down the last 10 seconds then went wild high fiving each other and jumping around like we had win the game ourselves:)

I just couldn't get past that his whole family was "high fiving" back in 1980...

I guess they were ahead of the curve...
 
you read that in some online news and believed it? Sure hope you thoroughly vetted that source. Any schmuck can claim they lived near ice. I wonder how the ice fishing was out on Mirror Lake that week.
 
I was ten years old...I remember watching the game and thinking, "holy shit, did that just happen?"..... The greatest sports victory EVER!! No high fives, as I was the only hockey fan in the house, and we hadn't studied ancient Egypt yet........

yes, we beat Finland for the gold, but after beating the red army, the victory against Finland was a forgone conclusion.......:)...
 
you read that in some online news and believed it? Sure hope you thoroughly vetted that source. Any schmuck can claim they lived near ice. I wonder how the ice fishing was out on Mirror Lake that week.


Umm the first paragraph was from the online article. The rest was from my own experience you boob.
 
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a freshmen in High school.
Without a doubt the greatest moment in US Olympic history. Herb you the man.
 
So you believe some dude who says he sat in front of his TV 35 years ago. That's a freaking great excerpt. I'm thrilled you shared it. it must have passed your skeptic sniff test. 35 years ago some guy went fishing too. You did a shitty job citing and made it look like all that drivel was second hand. Why even mention the article if all you share is that the author sat down 35 years ago?
 
Yes it was your mistake.

So not using quotes to signify some other's work was your mistake?

Do some research on the proper use of quotes...

Here: Quotation Marks



And so it was YOUR family back in 1980 that was all "high-fivey" ?

Huh...

I saw none of the players high fiving...
No one in the stands...
But a whole family in suburban Jersey...

Huh...
 
Really. Perhaps you should look again. Maybe your eyesight is going. You know first it was CAPITAL LETTERS now you can't spot people high fiving. Speaking of high fiving it's interesting you called this out. Makes me think you never received a high five before. Is that the issue here? You didn't get a high five when your alpaca won best of show at the local fair. Come on now FF don't you think it's time to let it go:)
 
So you believe some dude who says he sat in front of his TV 35 years ago. That's a freaking great excerpt. I'm thrilled you shared it. it must have passed your skeptic sniff test. 35 years ago some guy went fishing too. You did a shitty job citing and made it look like all that drivel was second hand. Why even mention the article if all you share is that the author sat down 35 years ago?

Tom why are you so angry? Seriously get a grip. If you didn't like the post just give me a no thank you and save your commentary for someone who actually cares. Now go take a time out and do some deep breathing exercises you boob.
 
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This must have been exactly what it was like to have survived that dreaded California high Sierra mountain Donner party, sans internet.......


Now pass me a leg. Or an elbow.
 
I'm not the least bit angry. Your boobishness is one of my very favorite things on the whole internet
 
The US team in 1980 had 12 players who had successful careers in the NHL. It was basically a team of professionals taking on a team of amateurs.

That fact has been hidden by American movie propaganda, and also the fact that the Soviets were actually the underdogs.
 
You need to get out more.

Mac don't listen to him. That was awesome. Especially the first paragraph.

After that it became practically unreadable. The spelling errors and the boring story about some hockey loving family. It was all a bit much for me.

But the first paragraph was a winner. Just like those brave Russians.

(sorry, didn't have the stomach to finish the post - I'm assuming the Russians won in the end.)

:)
 
The US team in 1980 had 12 players who had successful careers in the NHL. It was basically a team of professionals taking on a team of amateurs.

That fact has been hidden by American movie propaganda, and also the fact that the Soviets were actually the underdogs.

Beetle, it's not going to work this time..............
 
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