DDRhockey
Hockeyfan since 1986
- Oct 11, 2017
- 3,385
- 1,630
It's not even that close, not by a long shot.1980 is the same as if this year's Team USA beat an NHL all star team
USA/Soviets easily.... a bunch of college kids beat one of the best hockey teams ever assembled? Guys who have played together since they were kids and whom practice/play all day, all year long.
It wasn't just "a bunch of college kids." Many of those players went on to have long, successful NHL careers.
The red army team was nothing close to one of the best team's ever assembled. It was an awkward transitional period for the Soviets where the Kharlamov, Mikhaelov, Petrov line wasn't quite as dominant as it used to be, and the new guard in Makarov, Krutov, Fetisov, Kasatonov where still a few years from their prime. They had struggled with team defense throughout the entire tournament (including giving up 4 goals to The Netherlands in the group stage) and Tretiak was not himself at any point. The upset was a colossal shock to the public in the Soviet Union but most people that followed the team closely were not surprised that they couldn't win gold.
It was a bigtime upset for sure, but I think the other two poll options deserve more consideration than they are getting. I think most people are voting Lake Placid just because of the magnitude of legend it has become.
It wasn't just "a bunch of college kids." Many of those players went on to have long, successful NHL careers.
The red army team was nothing close to one of the best team's ever assembled. It was an awkward transitional period for the Soviets where the Kharlamov, Mikhaelov, Petrov line wasn't quite as dominant as it used to be, and the new guard in Makarov, Krutov, Fetisov, Kasatonov where still a few years from their prime. They had struggled with team defense throughout the entire tournament (including giving up 4 goals to The Netherlands in the group stage) and Tretiak was not himself at any point. The upset was a colossal shock to the public in the Soviet Union but most people that followed the team closely were not surprised that they couldn't win gold.
It was a bigtime upset for sure, but I think the other two poll options deserve more consideration than they are getting. I think most people are voting Lake Placid just because of the magnitude of legend it has become.
Because, and I'm sorry if this offends you, but pretty much no one gives a shit a shit about women's hockey.I think people are really, really overlooking the obvious winner here. I don't see how this isn't Sweden over the US in woman's hockey.
For context, in the previous Olympics in 2002, the US team in round robin play scored 28 goals and allowed 1. They then proceeded to beat Sweden 4-0 in the semis.
In the same 2002 Olympics, Sweden was defeated 11-0 by Canada.
In the 2006 Olympics, they outscored opponents 18-3 in the round robin.
In the round robin, Sweden lost 8-1 to Canada.
That's not to mention at the US were the reigning world champions (2005) at that point and had NEVER not been in the final in any of the previous 10 Olympics or World Championships. And since that time, they've never not been in the finals of the following 12 since.
No way is USSR a bigger favourite and no way is USA a bigger underdog.
Because, and I'm sorry if this offends you, but pretty much no one gives a **** a **** about women's hockey.
You honestly expect people to pick that over the most famous upset in sports history?
It's the Miracle and not remotely close. The Soviet team was unstoppable and were capable of beating the NHL's best. They lost to college amateur players. It was a true David vs. Goliath story. It's widely considered to be the biggest upset in sports. Not just hockey.