40 years ago there was a hockey game played in North Elba, New York

[Pucker Factor 10]

wonderful summary...and not to be picky, but:

- Johnson's goal was with one second left in the first period (not second)
- Tikhonov pulled Tretiak after the first period (not after the second period)

Not picky at all. I had a original draft that I modified and didn't adjust that. Thanks for pointing that out. Now edited and corrected.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

isn't it true this game wasn't even aired live, but on tape delay?

 

[Pucker Factor 10]

If they played 100 games USSR probably wins 99 times. Truly was a miracle, and at the height of the Cold War tensions, just a legendary moment. But yes, its a good thing USA managed to beat Finland for the gold. Would have really put a damper on it.

All very true. And just think, Finland didn't even get a bronze medal out of the deal because of the convoluted round-robin tournament format they had back then.

 

[Pucker Factor 10]

Top five biggest upsets in sports history:

1. Miracle on Ice
2. Jets over Colts
3. Giants over Patriots
4. Douglas beating Tyson
5. Warriors over Mavs

To be fair, I only follow the four major sports.

Been around for 'em all. Wonder how many on here that's true for as well? I even remember Namath getting drafted.

 

[Pucker Factor 10]

isn't it true this game wasn't even aired live, but on tape delay?

That's absolutely true. The actual game was played around 1700 EDT and aired at 2000 EDT that same night. Hard to believe, isn't it?

 

[CTHabsfan]

isn't it true this game wasn't even aired live, but on tape delay?

That is true, it was tape delayed. I can't remember whether I was aware of that or not while watching, but I do know that I was not aware of the outcome while I was watching. You could never get away with that now, thanks to the internet and 24-hour sports TV & radio.

 

[kugelbahn]

6. Undefeated in 13 yrs russian wrestler Alex Karelin loses his grip and olympic gold to american farmer Rulon Gardner
Rulon Gardner - Wikipedia

 

[NewSNESJersey]

Leicester City was only 4 years ago though

 

[Montreal Shadow]

Americans making things about themselves bigger than they really are. Nothing to see here.

 

[RalphKing]

I don’t know that it was. Leicester, although underdogs to win the league to an unthinkable point, were still professional footballers playing at the top level. The miracle saw a group of amateurs beat one of the greatest hockey teams of all time.

It's the 1 game factor that is less impressive imho. Hockey is a sport where upsets happen all the time.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Americans making things about themselves bigger than they really are. Nothing to see here.

Feel free to provide a bit more substance and a bit less "snap". Otherwise, all your post is is a cry for attention, which is somewhat ironic considering what you are claiming.

 

[tailgunner]

don't mean to be a debbie downer it was a great achievement, but let's face it, in hockey the better team is the one that wins a 7 game series, if the miracle on ice was a 7 game series and USA wins the first game 4-3 like they did what do they think would of happened in games 2 3 4 5 ? The Rangers in 1979 beat one of the greatest Montreal dynasties of all time in game 1 of the 1979 Finals but then got hammered in Games 2 3 4 5

 

[Khomutov]

 

[CTHabsfan]

It's the 1 game factor that is less impressive imho. Hockey is a sport where upsets happen all the time.

Upsets didn't happen to Soviet Union hockey team. They had won the last four Olympic titles, didn't lose to amateurs and frequently defeated NHL teams. That's why their losing to a bunch of college kids, even if it was just one game, was such a big deal.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

let's face it, in hockey the better team is the one that wins a 7 game series

When did this get handed down on stone tablets? Isn't it just as valid to say "the better team is the one that proves it over a full season", and therefore the Presidents Trophy winner should be considered the best?

 

[RalphKing]

When did this get handed down on stone tablets? Isn't it just as valid to say "the better team is the one that proves it over a full season", and therefore the Presidents Trophy winner should be considered the best?

It's 1 game 40 years ago that counts. Read the thread

 

[Panteras]

Greece winning Euro 2004, Iraq winning Asia cup 2007 also come to mind for soccer

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

My Dad still talks about it here in Canada. America got slaughtered 10-3 in exhibition by the Red Army and no one thought they had a chance, truly a “miracle on ice”.

 

[Three On Zero]

Shouldn’t this be in the history of hockey and not the main forum?

 

[Alexei Yashvalev]

I thought that was Columbus Tampa.

 

[jetsforever]

I generally cheer against USA in hockey but that final "miracles" call is amazing.

 

[Kuhta]

Greatest upset in sports history?

That claim is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long time. One game in a fairly marginal sport.

Hockey is my thing but this kind of statement is out of place.

 

[kingsholygrail]

don't mean to be a debbie downer it was a great achievement, but let's face it, in hockey the better team is the one that wins a 7 game series, if the miracle on ice was a 7 game series and USA wins the first game 4-3 like they did what do they think would of happened in games 2 3 4 5 ? The Rangers in 1979 beat one of the greatest Montreal dynasties of all time in game 1 of the 1979 Finals but then got hammered in Games 2 3 4 5

So this is an indictment against the Olympics as being a measure of success for sports teams?

 

[Hammettf2b]

I'd have Leicester winning the Premier League there also but that was a full season upset instead of one famous game. A crazy set of circumstances allowed that to happen and it probably won't ever again.

This was the first thing I thought of

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Americans making things about themselves bigger than they really are. Nothing to see here.

What a crappy statement. I'm Canadian and I think it's one of the most amazing sports underdog victories in history. Seriously, why?