Still Believing in Miracles
Written by Chriso, Monday February 22 2010
30 years ago today, Al Michaels called the end of the USA win over Russia with his famous line "Do you believe in Miracles?" Last night, USA beat Canada 5-3 in a game that certainly was surprising. I'm just not sure it is miracle worthy.
Maybe it is not fair to compare. It is a different time, a different place. In 1980 the US defeated Russia. It would be one of the only times the two countries would be able to compete against each other. The U.S. boycotted the Summer games in Moscow in 1980 and Russia responded by not going to L.A. in 1984. The Cold War was in full swing. The Iron Curtain was so mysterious that it seemed those from behind it were from another planet.
Now take a look at Canada. Canada has never really been our enemy, except for a brief moment in the movie "Canadian Bacon" and their continued hope to impose the metric system on North America. The border between the U.S. and Canada is the longest unprotected border in the world. The U.S. is quickly building a giant wall to the south on the border of Mexico. There are no plans to do the same with Canada.
Now take a look at the players, the Canadian team last night was favored, but the rosters of both teams had NHL stars. The Russian team in 1980 was more of a professional team and the U.S. team in comparison was a collection of college kids. Mike Eruzione was the captain of the team. He retired after the olympics, in a shining example of an athlete knowing exactly when it is the perfect time to call it a career.
In 2004 Disney created the movie "Miracle" to recap the 1980 team. Coach Herb Brooks died while the movie was in production, but the notes at the end of the movie commented that he did not have to see the movie, because he had lived through it. Comcast.com reported on the U.S. win over Canada that the U.S. pulled off another miracle.
Me, I still believe in miracles. I am just not sure if these two games are quite the same.
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2 comments
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thanks for the correction, i did know when the movie came out but i guess i was still thinking about LA in 1984...
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Disney's movie was released in 2004, not 1984, Chriso. But last night was a heck of a game! I'm glad the US doesn't have to deal with Ovie and his squad next. That Canada-Russia game should be really good!