Miracle (2004)

[bunniefuu]

In other news tonight, a constitutional amendment which would allow 18-year-olds to vote in all elections cleared the Congress and headed for the White House this afternoon.

President Nixon gave every indication he will sign the amendment into law.

This is not an invasion of Cambodia.

As the Soviet m*llitary displayed its arsenal at this year's May Day parade, the State Department reaffirmed that the Cold w*r is as cold as ever.

The Soviets take the ball in. It's a cross-court pass to Belov. He's got it!

He's up! He scores! The Soviets take the gold over the United States!

People have got to know whether or not their president's a crook.

I'm not a crook.

I shall resign the presidency, effective at noon tomorrow.

The secret behind today's modern computer is the silicon chip.

Some experts predict this modern marvel might one day impact our daily lives.

This is homecoming day for Apollo 17, the last round trip to the moon that Americans may take in this century.

Now anyone can turn their ordinary TV into a magic box of video games.

I, Gerald R. Ford, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute...

We must whip inflation right now.

What was being called peace with honor only a few short months ago has disintegrated into utter chaos as the US evacuates...

Light this place up.

Get on the dance floor! Come on! Everybody, now!

The streaking craze continues to take the nation by storm as college students across the country are shedding their clothes.

Happy 200th birthday, America, and many, many more!

...I will faithfully execute the office of the president of the United States.

...the office of president of the United States.

Billy Beer hit the shelves this week. The White House has no comment on the latest business venture of President Carter's brother.

As President Carter prohibited the purchase of Iranian oil, Americans again find themselves in long gas lines with another oil crisis.

Governor Brown reviewed his plan for gas rationing...

Funeral arrangements for singer Elvis Presley have not been announced.

The entertainer d*ed Tuesday in Memphis from cardiac arrhythmia.

Breaker one-eight northbound, over.

Mr. Carter approved emergency financial aid for the Love Canal area of Niagara Falls, New York, in crisis because of chemical leakage in the landfill on which it's built.

Authorities are saying there's been an uncontrolled release of radiation from the Three Mile Island nuclear facility, but details are still unclear.

It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will.

The symptoms of this crisis...

USA Hockey. Please hold.

USA Hockey.

He's just stepping into a meeting.

When's the best time to reach you?

He's got your number? OK.

Herb. Hey, Walter. How we doing?

Good to see you. How was the flight? Not bad.

That's great. Everybody's waiting to see us.

Who-all's here? Anybody who's got a say in this thing.

Bob Fleming, the International Council, USA Hockey, Lou Nanne from the NHL.

The only way we can compete with Eastern Bloc teams is if we're willing to change.

Change what?

The way we train, the way we prepare. Even change our schedule.

What kind of schedule changes?

I think we need to make it longer, tougher, much more competitive.

Longer? You gonna pay for that?

We also need to change the way we play the game.

What exactly does that mean? My plan is to adopt a new style.

A hybrid of the Soviet school and the Canadian school.

A combination that requires the highest level of conditioning, speed, creativity and, most of all, team chemistry.

Is this what you use at the University of Minnesota?

We've been phasing it in, yeah, but...

He has won three NCAA titles.

Walter, we don't have years, we have months.

Can you teach a bunch of kids that have never played together a whole new style?

OK, look...

What if these kids can't pick it up fast enough?

We all know we're a long sh*t for a medal, but we don't want to get embarrassed. That's right.

Bob, four years ago, our Olympic team lost to the Czech B-team 15 to one.

I don't think we can embarrass ourselves any more than that.

That's assuming they don't go pro.

I'd have a hard time giving up good money to finish sixth at Lake Placid.

It's a tough draw, Herb. Tough draw.

It's tough even if we don't play the Soviets. What happens if we do?

We put our best on the ice with them last year. Professional all-stars.

They still b*at us. Not because you weren't good enough.

All-star teams fail because they rely solely on the individuals' talent.

The Soviets win because they take that talent and use it in a system designed for the betterment of the team.

My goal is to b*at them at their own game.

b*at the best team in the world.

Gold medalists in '64, '68, '72 and '76.

It's a pretty lofty goal, Herb.

Lou, that's why I wanna pursue it.

Well, fellas, any more questions?

I'm good. No.

That's it for me. Thanks very much.

Herb, thanks. Thank you, Bob. I appreciate it.

Hey. It's coming down out there.

Where are the kids? I gave them away.

How did it go?

I'm not their guy.

They only had me come out there because two other coaches said no.

I think they're still looking East Coast.

What's that? It's a costume party, Herb. Come on.

Nick and Nora Charles. The Thin Man.

You're gonna make me wear this? Yes.

They're sophisticated and dashing.

I've got a mustache for you and a little dog for me.

Excuse me.

Linda, can you get that for me? Oh, sure.

Hello. Yes, just a moment, please.

Patti, it's for Herb. Someone from the USOC.

No. It's eight-nothing!

It's gonna be a dramatic comeback.

Go.

Herb. Yeah.

Herb.

You've got a call from Colorado.

We're not done here.

So then he went along with that?

I appreciate that, Walter. Thank you.

What'd they say? I got the job.

I got the job. How about that? Oh, great.

When do you start? Two weeks.

They want you to start that soon? The Games are in February.

But it's June. Is there even ice?

Mommy. Mommy, Mommy.

We're supposed to take the kids to the Black Hills.

Cleopatra wants to say goodbye to you.

OK. OK. I gotta call Craig Patrick right now.

How you doing? Phil Verchota.

Name? Ralph Cox, UNH.

Name, please? Mike Ramsey.

Number, towel. Jack O'Callahan, right? Last time I checked.

Good luck, Jack. Who's next? Thanks, buddy.

Jimmy Craig.

Hey, Jack. What's up, you sieve?

How's it going? Good.

Any reason why Joey Mullen's not here?

About 30,000 of them, all sitting in his New York bank account.

He got a $30,000 signing bonus? Crazy, isn't it?

How's it looking?

A lot of guys from Minnesota and Boston.

Yeah, that's gonna work.

You're Robbie McClanahan, right?

Yeah. Mike Eruzione. Boston University.

'76. '76.

Trying to play for Brooks a little more?

I played for him for four years. A few more months wouldn't hurt.

What about you?

Trying to play a little more hockey, that's all.

The rest of your boys all here?

Of course. Think they'd miss out on this?

You might wanna wait a day or so before you go over and say hi.

Check!

Come on, hit those lines!

Head for the net! The net!

Skate, boys! Skate!

Skate!

Drop your shoulder!

On the wing!

Man, look at that move.

Rizzo!

Eruzione?

Cross him off the list. He doesn't have a sh*t in hell at making this team.

You think so? No way.

One more.

Doc cleared him. Says it's just a sprain.

Good.

I just want to let you know I'm looking forward to being able to coach with you.

You were a hell of a player, Craig.

You're gonna make a hell of a coach. Thanks.

I need you to stick tight with these kids. Any big problems, let me know.

Otherwise you take care of it, OK? OK.

Take a look at that. What's this?

Twenty-six names.

The tough part is getting it down to 20 before the opening ceremonies.

This is the final roster?

You're kidding me, right?

This is our first day. We got a week of this.

Aren't the advisory staff supposed to have a say in this?

Technically, I guess.

You're missing some of the best players.

Not looking for the best players, looking for the right ones.

You have Jim Craig to back up Janaszak?

Other way round. Other way round?

Didn't Janaszak just win you a national championship?

He's a solid goaltender, but we're not playing for a national championship.

People say Craig's game's been off since his mom d*ed.

Did they ever see him when his game was on?

Hughes. Ross. Auge. Delich.

Horsch. Strobel. Christoff.

Morrow. Suter. Ramsey.

Janaszak. Christian.

Pavelich. Verchota.

Baker. Harrington. Schneider.

O'Callahan. McClanahan.

Silk. Johnson.

Craig. Cox.

Eruzione.

That's the roster for now.

The rest of you, thanks for coming out.

Way to go, Rizzo.

Take a good look, gentlemen.

'Cause they're the ones getting off easy.

I'm putting a few of you on reserve in case somebody gets injured or their game goes to hell.

The final roster will have 20 names on it, so more of you are going home.

If you give 99 percent, you'll make my job very, very easy.

I'll be your coach, not your friend.

If you need one of those, take it up with Doc or Coach Patrick.

All right, gentlemen.

Congratulations to all of you. That's it for today.

On the way out, pick up one of these. You've got a little homework to do before you celebrate.

Thank you.

Herb! Herb!

Hold on a minute.

Hey, Walter. How we doing? I think we got a problem here.

What's that?

I got a room full of people who want a say in this process and you've already picked the team.

Look, Walter... No! There's a right way to do this.

And this is not it.

If I was in your shoes, I'd probably be saying the same thing.

All right. Let's go upstairs.

We'll help piece together a hockey team. All of us. Together.

Walter, that's just not gonna happen.

Do you realize what the AHA went through to put this thing together?

The best amateur players in the country on the ice for a week, not just a day.

I didn't ask for that. I already know my team.

How? Those kids have been on the ice for a couple of hours.

Every one of them was chosen for a specific reason.

I've studied film on every one of them. I've seen them, coached a lot of them.

The ones I haven't, I've spoken with their coaches. And scouts.

I know best what I need to compete. The team I've chosen is it.

What am I supposed to say to the advisory board?

Tell 'em the truth.

This puts me in a hell of a spot, Herb. A hell of a spot!

They hired me to do a job. I'm trying to do it.

All right. I'm gonna back you on this.

But I sure as hell hope you know what you're doing.

Phillie, what are you at? My test is done.

Me and Janny are done. Are you done?

You're stopped by a policeman but you're not at fault.

Do you state your disagreement right away?

He's got 300 of these things.

It's a test. You've taken one or two before.

Not to play hockey. Can you even read?

I try.

Hey, Rizzo.

What's going on? Mac.

Easy, big guy.

I don't know how you two can sit in the same room with that clown.

Let it go. It's over.

What's going on? OC's got a little unfinished business.

Not for long. What did I tell you?

McClanahan? You're not still going on about the '76 playoffs?

Come on, OC. It was three years ago.

Coxy, let me ask you a question.

Why did you wanna play college hockey?

Isn't it obvious? For the girls. I'm serious, Coxy.

Why did you wanna play college hockey?

'Cause I love to play hockey. I wanna go to the NHL like everybody does.

I wanted to win a national championship.

That pansy over there cheap-sh*ts me.

I get tossed out of the game.

He steals the ring right off my finger.

How would you feel?

Everyone was throwing cheap sh*ts.

Rizzo, it's funny you say that. I was wondering what side you're on.

I'm on your side. It really seems that way.

All right, just relax, OK? Jeez.

I'm not doing this right now. I'm outta here.

Where you going?

To my room. Is that all right with you... mother?

Just let him go.

No wonder that guy gets so many penalty minutes.

He gets a little carried away sometimes.

That's it. Pick it up. That's it.

Pick it up!

Look for the pass. Hit him with a pass. Go, Johnson.

Outside!

Johnson, hit him on the other side.

Silk, keep it up.

Hit him, Johnson. He's open.

Come on, Johnson.

Johnson.

Coast-to-coast stuff won't work against the teams we'll be playing.

OK.

Next lineup. Let's go. Let's run it again.

Morrow. Let me take this one.

Don't worry. Keep your head up.

This is a breakout play, gentlemen.

So please let's get rid of the puck early.

All right, let's go.

What are you hitting like that for? That's bush league, OC.

Nice hit, OC.

Tell your boy here to keep his head up.

You all right?

Let's go.

Craig. Let them go.

Stay out of it. Stay out of it, Buzzy.

What are you doing? Stay out of it, Baker.

Come on, OC, let him have it.

Come on, OC.

There you go, b*at him.

That's it.

How about it, boys?

Look like hockey to you?

Looks more like a couple monkeys humping a football to me.

What do you think, Craig? Yeah.

You wanna settle old scores, you're on the wrong team.

We move forward, starting right now.

We start becoming a team right now.

Skating. Passing.

Flow and creativity.

That is what this team is all about, gentlemen.

Not old rivalries.

So why don't we start with some introductions? Get to know each other.

Where you're from, who you are. Go ahead.

Rob McClanahan. Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Who do you play for? For you, here at the U.

Jack?

Jack O'Callahan. Charlestown, Mass.

Boston University.

Over here.

I'm Ralph Cox.

I'm from wherever's not gonna get me hit.

Very good. Everybody on the line. Let's go.

Hey, Jim. Hey, coach.

I was wondering why you wouldn't take this test.

Yeah, well... It's nothing against you or anything.

I didn't see what it has to do with stopping a puck.

That's all right. You just took it anyway.

Hey, coach?

So if I took it...

I meant to ask, how's your family doing?

They're doing all right.

And you?

I'm OK.

I got 26 guys trying to make this team. Only 20 will go to Lake Placid.

I gotta know how committed you are to being here.

If you're not, you're just wasting our time.

Look, coach, my dad's going through a rough time right now.

He's got nothing.

He lost his job. And with Atlanta trying to sign me...

Bottom line is, my mom wanted this.

Me playing on this team.

Hard to say no to someone who drove you to practice every day, right?

You didn't answer my question, Jim.

I'm here, aren't I?

I'll see you in the morning.

Don't forget to bring your game.

The Soviets performed a nuclear test yesterday, setting off a 75-kiloton b*mb in eastern Kazakhstan...

So much hate and fear. What's that?

Between the Soviets and the West. It's bound to end in disaster.

They'll figure something out, Doc.

They haven't got any other choice, right?

I hope so, but it just seems to me that some people will never get along.

Yeah.

Like hockey players from Boston and Minnesota.

Our own private cold w*r.

Let me ask you a question. Of course.

You've worked with Herb for a long time?

Quite some time.

Does he always treat his players like this?

No. This I have never seen.

But, Craig, believe me.

Herb has a reason for everything he does.

Well, he's ending up with 20 players who hate his guts.

Maybe if they hate him, they won't have time to hate each other.

Hey, honey.

How much longer you gonna be? I still got a few more.

Well, I'm going to bed, OK? OK.

You know, Kelly has ballet at four tomorrow, and Danny's done with hockey then too.

Which one do you wanna get?

Herb. Yeah.

Can you pick up Danny at four? We've got team meetings.

I can't be in two places.

What about Margie? They're on vacation.

I don't know, honey. You'll figure it out.

Can you turn that off, please?

Please.

This is what happens over the summer.

The kids are doing a zillion different things. Your meetings will have to wait.

Come on, Patti. I'm coaching a hockey team here.

We already talked about this.

Really? When exactly did we have this talk?

Because I don't recall being a part of the conversation.

What did I say? Was it interesting?

We never had this talk.

Never.

OK, what's on your mind?

Nothing. You're obviously mad about something.

First you're upset because we didn't talk, and then when I try to talk about whatever it is, you don't wanna.

If you're not willing... It's not because we didn't talk.

It's because you never even asked.

I know what this is about. I know it and you know it.

What? Know what? This. What you're doing.

Chasing after something you didn't get. That you may never get.

What if it doesn't work out?

Are we gonna do this every four years?

It's OK. Go finish your work. Go, go.

Hey.

Hey.

You know...

...ever since I stopped playing, I wanted to coach this team.

And this is the only way I know how to do it.

It's not the easiest way, I know, for you. Or the kids. But...

Patti, I have to do this.

I know you do.

I'm sorry we didn't talk.

And I was wrong not to ask.

So I'm asking now if you can be with me on this because it won't mean anything if you're not.

Blue line, back. Red line, back.

Far blue line, back. Far red line, back.

And you have 45 seconds to do it.

Get used to this drill. We'll be doing it a lot.

Why?

Because the legs feed the wolf, gentlemen.

I can't promise you we'll be the best team at Lake Placid next February.

But we will be the best conditioned. That I can promise you.

Be prepared to grow through pain, gentlemen.

You're gonna skate harder than you've ever skated every minute of every day you're on the ice with me.

Stretch out north and south, open up east and west.

The center will fill in here. This winger will take the center spot.

What's your name? Mark Johnson.

Where are you from? Madison, Wisconsin.

Who do you play for? University of Wisconsin.

Come on. Go, boys! Go, boys!

The fastest way to make this team is by being fast.

Stop. Look at you. Three men covered by one guy.

This isn't weaving for weaving's sake.

Spread out. Use the ice.

Come on, Jimmy. Challenge them.

You're getting b*at on the side. Challenge them.

I don't blame you.

How you holding up? Not good, not good.

How about you? Dave Christian.

Who do you play for? University of North Dakota.

Come on, no!

No, no, no. Get it to a point. You're quarterbacking this play.

Come on, Rizzo, I got you running this play.

The only thing you're gonna run is the bench.

Boom. He can get him. Boom, boom, boom.

We're opening up options. We've got four options off one play.

Anybody have any questions?

OK, let's go.

What is he talking about? No clue.

Twenty of you are going to Lake Placid. Six are going home.

Who that is, believe it or not, is up to you.

You? Mark Pavelich.

Who do you play for? UMD Bulldogs.

Go. Next lineup.

Turn it up, boys. Let's move it.

Here you go, here you go!

Fabulous pass. Good sh*t.

You three, run that again.

Again? Let's go.

I understand how you feel, but don't let them know that.

The Coneheads are coming in. Who?

That's what the guys have been calling them 'cause they're a little...

Like the Coneheads.

What's that? Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin.

I guess it's off your radar.

Come on in, boys. You want to see us, coach?

I'm thinking about keeping the three of you together on the same line.

Everybody OK with that? Yeah. Sure.

How about you, Buzzy, think this works?

It's going good. Moving the puck well. It's just different playing with them.

We just seem to find each other and make things happen.

Yeah. Pass, sh**t, score.

Pass, sh**t and score.

Well, all right. We'll see how she goes.

Thanks, coach. Take it easy.

Rest up.

Well, looks like we're taking a line of Coneheads to Europe.

Yeah. If they can keep their legs under them.

I'll see you next week.

Something on your mind, Craig?

Or is that just too far off my radar?

I don't think you can push them this hard for six months. It's too long.

They're doing all right. They're tired.

I know how hard to push them, Craig. You sure about that?

You know why I had them take that test?

To make sure I could push them this hard.

I'll see you Monday.

All right.

Wow, look over here, Phillie.

Section two, four rows up.

Two girls, blonde. They're gorgeous.

Twins. Seventh row up, to the right. Love these blonde girls.

Maybe we can take a few home. Must be something in the water.

Get a whistle.

Hold up. Hold up, hold up.

You gotta get back on the ice. Let's go.

What for? You'll find out soon. Come on.

What for? We'll find out in a minute. Come on.

Let's go see what he wants.

You guys don't wanna work during the game? No problem. We'll work now.

Goal line.

That one.

Hustle.

Think you can win on talent alone?

Gentlemen, you don't have enough talent to win on talent alone.

Again.

You think you can play the Norwegian national team and tie them and then go to the Olympics and win?

You got another thing coming.

You gotta think about something else, each and every one of you.

When you pull on that jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates.

The name on the front is a lot more important than the one on the back.

Get that through your head! Again.

Win, lose or tie, you're gonna play like champions.

Again.

Kick it in the ass, Verchota. Wanna go home early?

Keep it going, Suter. All the way to the line and all the way back.

It's not that difficult. Again.

Again.

Again.

Herb. What?

The rink manager, he wants to clean the ice and go home.

Tell him to leave me the keys. I'll lock up. Again.

Again.

You keep playing this way, you won't b*at anybody who's even good, let alone great.

If you wanna make this team, you better start playing at a level that's gonna force me to keep you here.

Again.

I think we're getting out of here.

Hey. Where you going?

Back on the line.

Again.

Send 'em.

Again.

Again.

Silky, you gonna be the first to quit on me?

How about you, OC? You ready to go down?

I think I've got my money on you, Verchota.

You got a hot date in an hour, but you're not looking too good for that right about now, are you?

Send 'em.

Again.

Doc, this is madness, right?

This cannot be a team of common men because common men go nowhere.

You have to be uncommon.

Again. Herb.

This has gone on long enough. Everybody, on that line.

Somebody's going to get hurt.

Everybody, get on that line.

Hey.

Again.

Again.

Herb.

Come on, Craig. Blow the whistle.

Again.

Mike Eruzione.

Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Who do you play for?

I play for the United States of America.

That's all, gentlemen.

You Minnesotans, my back's starting to hurt from carrying y'all.

Pretend you're pushing cows.

Stop talking, Boston boy, and start pushing.

What you got there? Three nines.

Not bad, not bad.

I got two sevens.

We're taxiing out to the runway, right, and we kind of hit a moose.

No, the moose is fine, but we gotta make sure the airplane's all right.

So the boys are pushing it back so these guys can take a look at it.

Patti, the moose is OK. It ran off. I saw it.

So, what's going on at home?

...between the NHL All-Stars and the Soviet Union.

She did, huh?

The Soviets dominated the NHL's best from start to finish, winning by a score of six to nothing.

The Soviets, led by the superb play of their captain, Boris Mikhailov, were superior to the NHL stars in every way tonight.

Their passing was crisper, their offense relentless and their conditioning superb.

No, I'm here. I'm listening.

A six to nothing win tonight.

An embarrassing evening for the NHL All-Stars.

Russian style of play, boys.

Fluid, creative.

The forwards are constantly circling.

They don't so much look for a man as a patch of ice.

You get the mismatch. Two on one. Easy goal.

Looks a lot like me out there, huh, boys?

Boris Mikhailov. Captain for the last six years.

He is the best player at his position, and that includes, as we've just found out, the NHL.

These guys ever smile?

They're Russians, they get sh*t if they smile.

Vladislav Tretyak.

You score on Tretyak, keep the puck. It doesn't happen often.

Forty-two games in the last three months. Forty-two wins.

Their main w*apon is intimidation.

They know they're gonna win.

And so do their opponents.

Look, I can give you all a load of crap about how you're a better team than them, but that's exactly what it'd be.

Everyone here knows what people are saying about our chances.

I know it. You know it.

But I also know there is a way to stay with this team.

You don't defend them. You att*ck them.

You take their game and shove it right back in their face.

The team that is finally willing to do this is the team that has a chance to put them down.

NHL won't change their game. We will.

The rest of the world is afraid of them.

Boys, we won't be.

No one has ever worked hard enough to skate with the Soviet team for an entire game.

Gentlemen, we are gonna work hard enough.

Quick feet, boys. Push it.

Work hard, boys. Strobel, pick up your knees.

Keep your shoulders square.

Push it. Come on, boys. Go.

The legs feed the wolf, boys. The legs feed the wolf.

Stay with him, Jimmy. Stay with him, Jimmy.

Damn it!

How's your legs?

I'll let you know when I can feel them.

Come on, boys. Go get him. Go get him.

Thattaboy, Jimmy.

Better. Not good, but better.

Pedal to the metal. Intensity, boys.

There you go, there you go.

Work it, boys. Quick feet. Push it.

Tape to tape, boys. Passes come from the heart.

We wanna stretch things out. We got the Coneheads on the line.

Take me through it. I stretch the D out and across.

What do we do with this space? I fill the open lane.

I fill in for Pav's lane. Exactly.

That's it, that's it.

Don't let them have it, Jimmy. Attaboy, attaboy. Yeah!

Build your legs up, boys. Build your legs!

You'll have nothing left in the third period if you don't build your legs now.

What does that give us, boys? Options.

All right. Let's run it.

Let's go. What's going on?

We play the Soviets three days before Lake Placid?

Yeah. How about that?

How about that?

How about that.

Rizzo, you're k*lling me. Why can't you find the net?

You've been staring at the same piece of paper since dinner. Take a break.

How do I cut this kid? He's done everything I've asked.

So keep him.

I didn't think it was gonna be this hard.

Yeah, you did.

This isn't gonna work. I could stick Christian on defense.

I bet that works. Baker.

They stormed the embassy, overpowered the Marine Guard and took dozens of American hostages.

Oh, my God.

Herb. Herb.

Turn around and look at this.

...used tear-gas to try to disperse the mob of Islamic students.

But that wasn't enough.

Hundreds of Iranians finally overran the embassy compound, seizing about 90 people, mostly Americans.

The hostages were blindfolded and herded into the embassy's basement.

Earlier today the Ayatollah Khomeini...

You gave those guys a good schooling.

How about Johnson and McClanahan? That works.

They're starting to come together.

Thanks for coming up. I wouldn't have missed it.

Hey, you b*at Harvard. Yeah.

I should probably get going.

Yeah.

I love you, Pop.

You too, son.

Jimmy. You keep that glove up.

You got it.

Switch. Rizzo's making dinner. Meatballs.

You boys keep eating them, I'll keep making them.

You have to be insane to eat them.

No offense, Rizzo.

How will it affect the boys' chemistry?

I don't know. We'll see.

Timmy.

Who the hell is that? What's he doing here?

How you doing, Tim? Good to see you. Thanks.

Who's that?

Timmy Harrer. Plays for the Gophers. Having a big year.

What the hell's he doing here? No idea.

Why's he here? You guys know he was coming?

Why don't you warm up, stretch out, then jump on Johnson's line for today?

Good to have you.

See you, boys.

This is ridiculous.

Don't worry, Rammer. It'll be all right.

Right, OC?

Herb's not gonna do a damn thing, boys.

He's just messing with our minds.

You think so, Jack?

Yeah, I do.

We all know Herb made the Olympic team back in '60.

So?

A week before the Games, Coach Riley calls him in his office and sends him home.

What's your point? My point, Jack, is that one week later, Herb's home watching his team win the gold medal.

Come that close and get nothing?

He'll do whatever it takes. That's my point.

Yeah, I'm aware of that, Walter.

Yeah. Yeah, well, you've talked to everybody else, right?

Nothing else we can do, then. Thank you, Walter.

Is everything OK?

Walter says there's talk Carter may boycott the Moscow Games next summer.

So if we don't go there, they might not come here?

Right.

Don't do this to yourself, Herb.

There are things you can control and things you can't.

No milk. Herb.

Yeah, I heard you, honey.

You have everything you want here. Don't tell me what I'll have.

You don't know this enough to tell me that.

You know, I understand you being upset with me when I say you work too hard teaching a simple game.

But don't ever criticize me for caring about you.

That's it. Come on, boys. Push it. Push it. Go now. Move!

Damn it.

Come on, Rizzo.

I know, coach. I know. -You know?

If you knew, then why did you do it again?

You better start putting the puck in the net, or you're not going anywhere.

And don't think I won't do it.

Johnson, line up. Let's go.

Come on, sh**t it. Come on, sh**t it.

Up and around. Keep it moving.

Center, center, center!

Now move it up. And drop it back.

Go to the net, Timmy. Go to the net!

Yeah.

Nice play, boys, nice play.

Goal scored by number 18, Tim Harrer.

Change them up, boys. Let's go.

Come on, boys.

Timmy. You keep driving the net. That's all I care about.

That puck goes across the blue line, you drive to the net. All that matters.

Herb, some of the boys want to have a word.

What about? I think you ought to hear them out.

This had better take about two minutes.

This is crazy, Herb, bringing him in this late.

We got parents buying tickets, getting rooms. What should we tell 'em?

With one of us going home as it is?

I guess I don't have to ask where you stand, Rizzo?

This wasn't Rizzo's idea.

You want me to say I'm scared of getting cut?

I'm scared of getting cut. Everybody is.

We just want it to be fair.

He was right there in Colorado. That was six months ago.

You don't think he's been playing? Not with us, he hasn't.

There's a difference. Like hell.

All I know is that kid can play. What, and we can't?

He moves the puck, he's got great vision on the ice...

That's not the point.

I'll tell you something else he's got.

He's got the attitude I want on and off the ice, so somebody better explain why I shouldn't be giving him a look.

Because we're a family.

What?

We're a family.

A family?

Yeah. Yeah.

This is the family you want to go to Lake Placid with?

Definitely. Yeah, without a doubt.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Timmy Harrer can help us, boys. Then I'm gonna send him home.

We got one more to get down to 20. You understand.

Yep.

Looks like you got yourself a team. Almost.

Let's talk about it. The rules.

Your girl left these at my place. With some milk and cookies.

Give her a hug for me. You guys are unbelievable.

Real funny, guys. Hey, boys.

We still got two more presents to open up.

Pardon me, coach. Yeah?

Coach Patrick, from the boys. I thought you forgot.

To Craig.

That's beautiful, boys.

You're gonna like this one. What?

Perfect. Again.

Again. Again.

That's enough of that. It's going back in the box.

And Herb. Merry Christmas from the boys.

Drumroll, please.

Coach. Oh, yes.

The gift that keeps on giving.

Speech. Ayatollah.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but I'm not very good at giving sentimental speeches.

You're kidding.

I don't think I should start tonight.

Thanks for having me over, Velta. Good night, Herb.

Doc, Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

You guys have a great holiday.

Merry Christmas, coach.

Play some football.

...the most important speech of President Carter's term.

A look back now as 830 WCCO's year-end special continues.

The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America.

The confidence that we have always had as a people is not simply some romantic dream or a proverb in a dusty book that we read just on the Fourth of July.

It is the idea which founded our nation and has guided our development as a people.

Confidence in the future has supported everything else.

We've always believed in something called progress.

We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own.

Our people are losing that faith.

For the first time in our history, a majority of our people believe that the next five years will be worse than the past five years.

We were taught that our armies were always invincible and our causes were always just, only to suffer the agony of Vietnam.

We respected the presidency as a place of honor until the shock of Watergate.

We've got to stop crying and start sweating.

Stop talking and start walking.

Working together with our common faith, we cannot fail.

Yeah.

Hard workout.

You guys wanna grab something to eat? Yeah. Where you guys gonna go?

Maybe that Mario's place. Mario's?

Hey, coach.

Coxy, Herb wants to see you.

Come in.

Coach Patrick said you wanted to see me.

Why don't you have a seat there, Ralph?

There's just no easy way of doing this.

The rules say that we gotta be down to 20 men and right now we're at 21.

I wish like hell I could keep you, Ralph. I do.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know.

You're a hell of a hockey player.

This doesn't change that.

Thanks.

Thanks for giving me a sh*t, coach.

Thanks for giving me your very best.

Yeah? Herb. Walter.

Well, you've got your wish. Brezhnev's telling Carter to screw himself.

Yeah, Walter, how's that?

The Kremlin released a statement today saying they're gonna prove how good they are by b*ating us over here on our own ice.

They're all gonna play.

The Soviets, the Czechs, the whole bunch of them.

Have you got your roster finalized yet?

Yeah, I got my team.

I still don't know why you scheduled this, but get your guys to New York.

They've got a game to play.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 1980 US Olympic team.

As we await the opening face-off in this game between the Soviet Union and Team USA here at Madison Square Garden, the teams line up on their respective blue lines.

And Soviet Union team captain Boris Mikhailov skating over to his bench to pick up that NHL Challenge trophy.

The trophy that his team won here at Madison Square Garden last October, and won in decisive fashion, b*ating the NHL All-Stars.

Getting a mixed reaction from the capacity audience here.

Some cheers, but a few boos going through the crowd as well.

The two teams clear the ice and repair to their respective goals as we get set for the opening face-off in this final tune-up for these two teams before the Olympic Games in Lake Placid.

One, two, three. USA!

And as we get set to drop the puck for this contest, the Soviets starting their big line of Mikhailov between Kharlamov and Petrov.

Team USA countering with Mark Johnson at center between McClanahan and Dave Silk.

And we're ready to go with this warm-up contest.

From the heart, boys.

It's the Soviet Union in control, making a charge into the Team USA zone.

A sh*t from the point goes off the post and in behind the Team USA net.

Puck comes back to the blue line.

Moving in with a sh*t, stopped by Craig, and it goes into the corner.

Finally, Team USA gets a stick on the puck as Ramsey brings it up to the blue line.

He's absolutely flattened there by Kasatonov.

Two on one. Two on one!

Soviet Union turning it into a two on one.

Back door, OC. Look out. Get the puck.

Moving in. sh**t and scores.

Come on. Come on!

Break it up. Break it up.

That's it, let's go.

Nice expression on your face, you dummy.

Jack, you gotta listen to me. You gotta listen to me!

The Soviets breaking out of their own zone, up the ice to center.

Krutov goes in over the US blue line.

sh**t and scores. He sh**t and scores.

sh**t. He scores.

The Soviet Union routing Team USA ten to three.

There's always things you can work on. This club's no exception.

I think we're gonna be all right.

The Soviets have been together ten years.

We got college kids getting to know each other.

They could have won this thing 30 to nothing.

Herb, can we talk about tonight's game?

Sorry. How is he?

I'm not sure if he needs surgery.

I'm hoping it's a ligament pull, but it could be a tear.

Herb, we got three days until Sweden.

Giving him a roster spot's a waste of money.

Give me a best case. Miss three or four games minimum.

The whole qualifying round.

The kid's made the team, busted his ass for me, and now I gotta send him home, that the deal?

What did Doc say? He doesn't know yet.

He's gonna go with you to the hospital and get a picture of your knee taken.

Then we'll see.

Thinking about sitting you down, Jim. What?

What are you talking about? I played you too much, you're tired.

It's time I gave Janny a look. He's waited seven months.

You're kidding me. Now? Yeah, of course I mean now.

That's my net. They just scored ten goals.

Right now it's everybody's net.

Wait a second. I've given you everything I've got.

Have you? Given me your very best?

I know there's a lot more in you.

A whole other level that you just don't want to go to.

What the hell? You don't even understand.

I'll tell you what I don't understand. I don't understand you.

Nobody on this team understands you and your sayings and your drills and those stupid psychology tests you had everybody take.

Everybody?

So that's what this is about? Because I didn't take your test?

Fine. I'll take your test. Is that what you want?

No. I want to see that kid in the net who wouldn't take the test.

You gotta be kidding me. What did he do?

He did something amazing. He started to laugh.

Then everybody in the audience started to laugh.

It sounds funny, but I was so proud of him.

I'm starting to think that our son takes after you.

That's all part of my plan.

Well, you're a very smart woman.

I miss you.

The Games are only a couple of days away now.

You got your airplane tickets? Yeah. Walter had them sent over.

I guess I'll see you then.

You sound tired. Try and get some sleep.

Yeah, I will. All right. I'll talk to you later.

Hey, Patti? Yeah?

I miss you too.

Good night. Good night.

I'll check on OC. Take care of these guys here.

Come on, guys. Stick with me.

This is your room key.

And this is your ID badge that you'll need for just about everything.

Don't lose it.

Herb, Herb.

Herb, it'll be fine. I can fight through it.

Why don't you join the boys over there, OC?

It's good to see you, kid.

Attaboy.

Well? The good news is it's not a tear.

It's a stretched ligament. No surgery.

But there is no way he can play before the medal round.

Forget the medal round.

You keep O'Callahan and you lose one more skater, you're gonna have a tough time putting a decent team on the ice.

It's that simple.

I asked Herb. He's keeping me in the dark.

Oh, boy.

If he gets shaky, it's you. Stay loose, Janny.

You're in there tomorrow, Jimmy. Let's bring it up now.

OK. Thanks a lot. Attaboy, Jimmy. Go get them.

I'll see you on the bus. All right.

Doc said no, right?

He said you might be able to go in a week. Maybe two.

What if it's two? That puts me in a tight spot.

I got 20 guys to think about and they're all looking at me to do what's best.

I understand, coach. Which is why I'm hanging on to you.

I swear to God, if you're not being serious...

I'm only saying this if you promise you won't ask me to play until I tell you...

I won't. I mean, I will. I promise you, coach.

'Cause if you do, I'll stick your ass on an airplane and back to Boston.

All right, Doc's waiting for you. Thank you, Herb.

OC is playing, baby.

Move your feet, boys. Move your feet!

Ramsey passes to Eruzione.

Eruzione carrying the puck up the boards. Drops the pass for Broten.

He sh**t. Kicked away by Lindbergh.

Boys, hit that one-timer now. Come on!

Al Michaels with Ken Dryden. With 4:10 to go in the first period, it's Sweden leading the United States one to nothing.

Ahlberg to Eriksson. And a big hit by Dave Christian.

Eriksson picks up the puck, passes to Lundqvist, Lundqvist to Ahlberg.

Mac, where is it? Up this way. That's it.

Ahlberg sh**t. Save by Craig.

Eruzione fighting for it.

Mike Eruzione named team captain by coach Herb Brooks for, as Herb put it, his leadership qualities on and off the ice.

I'm taking him out.

The US team is playing tentative hockey tonight, Al.

Tough draw having to face Sweden, third-best team in the world.

You know what I mean? I got you. I think it's worth a try.

What's the deal with Mac? Upper-leg contusion.

He's done for the night. What if he plays?

I don't understand. If he plays, can he hurt it any worse?

No, but it will be very painful for him and he won't be able to do very much.

This is unbelievable.

You guys are playing like this is some throwaway game up in Rochester.

Who we playing, Rammer? Sweden.

Yeah, you're damn right. Sweden. In the Olympics.

What the hell's wrong with you? Put your gear on.

I said put your gear on.

Doc told me I can't play. I know. You got a bad bruise.

You know what? Put your street clothes on. I got no time for quitters.

Come on, Herb. Nobody's quitting here.

You worry about your own game. Plenty there to keep you busy.

A bruise on the leg is a hell of a long way from the heart, you candy-ass.

What did you call me? You heard me.

You want me to play?

I want you to be a hockey player! I am a hockey player!

You want me to play on one leg? I'll play on one leg!

That'll get them going. Oh, yeah.

Will that make you happy? I'll clean up.

I am a hockey player!

2:49 remaining in the game. Sweden leading two-one.

The US team has fought hard, but they've still got nothing to show for it.

If they don't b*at or tie the Swedes, it'll be very difficult to advance to the medal round.

McClanahan after the loose puck. He's hit hard by Söderström.

Go, go, go, Mac. Come on, Mac.

McClanahan gutting it out despite being injured in the first period.

Silk to Johnson. Back to Silk. Through the neutral zone.

Attaboy, Mac. Keep going.

Dumped into the Swedish zone and stopped behind the net by Lindbergh.

Johnson fighting Eriksson for it now. It comes out to Waltin.

He's hit hard by McClanahan.

All right, Mac. Baker, you're up next. The right side.

The Swedes regain control behind their own net, 1:40 remaining in the game.

Coneheads, you're up next.

Mats Waltin... moving it out to Jan Eriksson.

Jan Eriksson out to Håkan Eriksson.

Across the US blue line. Take it back.

Into the corner. He circles.

Passes across to Ahlberg. Wrist sh*t. Knocked out of the air by Craig.

Puck picked up by Suter, moved ahead to Johnson.

Switch them up. Go, go, go!

Johnson heads to the bench with just over a minute and a half left.

Precious seconds ticking away for this US team.

What are you doing with Baker there? 1:20.

Herb Brooks has molded this unit. Seven months of training, 61 games.

Just a little over a minute left to avoid a very damaging loss.

Ahlberg up the wing to Håkan Eriksson.

Stopped by Craig. Rebound picked up by Schneider.

Schneider flying up the wing, over the blue line and into the corner.

Jimmy, come on. Brooks is pulling goalie Jim Craig for an extra skater to try to tie it.

They have no choice, Al. 45 seconds left.

Sweden leading the US team two to one.

Across to Silk. He moves in.

His backhander is stopped by Lindbergh. Thirty-nine seconds remaining.

Schneider to Ramsey, across to Baker. He wraps it around the boards.

Harrington fighting for the puck with Näslund. Back to Ramsey.

To Johnson in front. Broken up by Holmgren.

Kept in by Baker and fired behind the net.

Loose puck. Schneider and Waltin fighting for it.

Schneider holds him off.

Kicks it loose. Pavelich has it.

He makes a move around Håkan Eriksson, passes across to Baker.

He scores! The United States has tied it.

Bill Baker scores in the final minute.

And the US team is still very much alive in the opening round.

It was a hell of a move. I didn't see him out there.

I'm Jim McKay, and we're back again live in Lake Placid, New York.

What an amazing start for these 13th Olympic Winter Games.

After a remarkable last-minute tie against Sweden two nights ago, the US hockey team, huge underdogs, pulled off a tremendous upset last night, defeating Czechoslovakia, considered the second-best team behind the Soviet Union.

The final score, seven to three.

Why so many reporters? Are you serious?

We won two games. We got a way to go here.

Think of what they've had to write about.

Hostages, Afghanistan. Transportation chaos.

Patti probably has talked to you about that.

Listen, Herb, the bottom line is that your young guys just kicked the crap out of Czechoslovakia, and this is something that this country is ready for.

Now, you want to see reporters? Win a couple more games.

They are just kids, so let's not turn this into something more.

I'm not sure we got any control over it.

Viktor.

Somebody's gonna b*at those guys.

Buzz Schneider flying up the right wing.

Takes a long pass from Ramsey. He's all alone on the breakaway.

He sh**t. He scores.

Buzz Schneider on a breakaway puts the US up five to one in the third period.

Now that Norway is behind you, what do you look for out of Romania?

It should be a tough test. We're not gonna overlook them.

Mike. Jimmy Craig's been great.

Is there any chance we could talk to him?

As I said the other night, Mike, this isn't an individual effort going on here.

It's about a team. We're a team on the ice, and we're one off it.

Halauca breaking up the left side, chased by Christian.

Behind the US net. Drops a pass for Antal. Antal slams it.

sh*t. Glove save by Jim Craig.

The US up seven to two here late in the third.

Making it to the medal round was always our goal from day one, so we feel real good about what we've accomplished so far.

Herb! Herb!

Still no chance we can talk with any of your players?

Still no chance.

How do you respond to those who feel you do this to keep the spotlight on yourself?

Loose puck. Kiessling across to Kretschmer. Up to Philipp.

He's run hard into the boards by Strobel. Huge hit.

Ramsey has it, moves it up to Verchota.

Verchota across the blue line. Winds up.

He scores!

Phil Verchota puts it past Sutner to put the US up four to two with 15:43 remaining to play here in the third period.

We'll be staying with this one right to the end.

The pairings for the medal round are as follows.

The United States will play the Soviet Union first tomorrow.

Sweden and Finland in the second game.

The face-off for the US-Soviet game is 1700 hours.

Now, if you have any questions, we have the US assistant coach, Craig Patrick.

Patrick! Coach Patrick!

Coach Patrick! Coach Patrick!

Where's Herb Brooks? How come he's not here today?

Herb is out preparing for tomorrow's game.

Yeah. Yeah.

Hi, Daddy.

There we go.

There was no whipped cream. That's all right.

What? What?

I got a telegram from a lady in Texas today. You know what it said?

"b*at those commie bastards."

We're playing a hockey game against the greatest team in the world, maybe the best that's ever played. Why can't we just leave it at that?

This is more than a hockey game to a lot of people.

I keep running through them all.

Johnson on Mikhailov. Broten on Petrov. Pav against whoever-ov.

We just... We don't match up, Patti.

You might want to skip that when you talk to the boys tomorrow.

Herb. Herb.

There's no disgrace in losing to this team.

I know.

The important thing is you got this far.

The important thing is those 20 boys knowing in 20 years they didn't leave anything on the table.

That they played their hearts out.

That's the important thing.

Great job. Great day. Thanks. Sure is, sure is.

Any chance we can wish the boys luck?

I'm sorry, Bob. You know Herb. Not a good time right now.

After the game, all right? Craig, hold up.

Herb doesn't want any distractions. It's understandable.

We just wanted to wish them luck.

You ready to go?

You serious? Am I playing? Suit up.

Great moments...

...are born from great opportunity.

That's what you have here tonight, boys.

That's what you've earned here tonight.

One game.

If we played them ten times, they might win nine.

But not this game.

Not tonight.

Tonight we skate with them.

Tonight we stay with them.

And we shut them down because we can.

Tonight we are the greatest hockey team in the world.

You were born to be hockey players.

Every one of you.

And you were meant to be here tonight.

This is your time.

Their time is done.

It's over.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have.

Screw them. This is your time.

Now, go out there and take it.

Hold up here a second. We're just gonna wait for the OK.

We're all set. All right. Go ahead and send them in.

OK. It's time.

Come on, Jimmy.

Come on, Buzzy. Let's hustle.

Come on, Brotz. Let's go, Strobel.

Rizzo.

USA! USA! USA!

The excitement building. The Olympic Center filling to capacity.

The face value of a top ticket for tonight's game, $67.20.

Outside they were exchanging hands at three times the face value.

Hello again. I'm Al Michaels with Ken Dryden. It should be a great night.

I'm sure there are a lot of people here who do not know the difference between a blue line and a clothesline.

It's irrelevant. It doesn't matter.

Because we have the rarest of sporting events.

An event that needs no buildup, no superfluous adjectives.

In a political or nationalistic sense, it is being viewed with varying perspectives.

But manifestly it is a hockey game.

The United States and the Soviet Union on a sheet of ice in Lake Placid.

Ken, some of your thoughts.

For the US team, it's discovery time.

It's one thing to be young and promising and it's quite another to be good.

In the next two and a half hours, the US players will go through perhaps the most difficult and demanding yet exhilarating time of their lives.

They will be playing against the best team in the world, a team that's far better than they are, a team that's dominated world hockey for the last 15 years.

In the crowd, Jim Craig's father, Donald Craig.

It's been a difficult time for the family with the passing of Jimmy's mom.

One of her dreams was to have her son play on this team.

So this has to be an emotional night for the two of them.

He doesn't look too nervous down there.

The US team, very young. Average age, 21 years old.

The Soviets, much more seasoned.

Some of them have been playing together for the last 15 years.

And this game is about to get under way.

All right. On three, boys.

One, two, three. USA!

Jim Craig in goal for the United States.

Vladislav Tretyak, considered the best goalie in the world, in the nets for the Soviet Union.

The US team in white, skating up to center ice.

The Soviet Union in red, all business.

And here we go.

Face-off won by Mikhailov. Back to Kasatonov.

Move on him. Move on him.

Carried up ice by Kasatonov who passes to Petrov.

Puck picked up by Morrow. Pressured by Mikhailov.

The pass in front of the US net. A sh*t deflected by Craig.

Watch the middle. Keep it out of the middle.

Jim Craig tested for the first time.

Dave Silk with the puck along the boards. Taken away by Kasatonov.

Up ahead to Petrov. Petrov streaking up the boards.

Powering past Ramsey. Centering pass to Kharlamov.

He sh**t. Saved by Jim Craig.

Puck cleared out of the US zone.

Big hit on McClanahan by the Soviet captain Boris Mikhailov.

Krutov with a hard sh*t from the high slot. Craig with a save.

Golikov across to Petrov. Again Craig is equal to the task.

Use those boards.

Across the US blue line.

Passes across to Kharlamov. sh*t. Stopped.

Petrov trying for the rebound.

To Makarov at the point. He fires it along the boards.

Picked up behind the net by Buzz Schneider.

Come on. Slash.

Schneider losing it. Out to the point. Slap sh*t. Deflected in.

That was a slash!

The Soviet Union takes a one to nothing lead.

Kasatonov's slap sh*t was deflected in past Craig.

So the Soviet Union leads one to nothing early in the first period.

Forget about it now. Come on. Let's go.

Mikhailov and Christoff facing off at center ice.

Here we go, boys. Move it.

Kharlamov to Mikhailov.

Mikhailov up the boards and into the corner.

To Kharlamov for a quick sh*t. Good save by Jim Craig.

Makarov with the puck. Craig gets his stick on it.

Good save, Jimmy.

The US in possession now. Ramsey moving it up to Johnson.

Johnson is hung up by Bilyaletdinov, who feeds it around the boards where it's picked up by Krutov.

Golikov crossing the blue line. He's hit hard by Ken Morrow.

The puck is picked up by Eruzione.

And he's sent hard into the boards by Krutov.

Johnson with it now. Flying up the boards.

You got time. You got time.

OC, go. Buzzy, get in there.

The Soviets control it. Kasatonov.

Krutov with the puck now.

A big hit by Jack O'Callahan. Pavelich up ahead to Schneider.

Slap sh*t goes in!

That's the type of goal you don't expect someone like Tretyak to give up.

The United States ties the game at one.

Jack O'Callahan, returning after a serious knee injury, making a big contribution with that hit on Krutov.

Number 16, Pavelich. Time, 14:03.

Petrov to Kharlamov. Skating into the US zone. Tying up O'Callahan.

Golikov. Cross-ice pass to Petrov. He sh**t. And Craig is right there.

Picked up by O'Callahan. Moves up to Pavelich.

Through the middle. Crossing the Soviet blue line.

Centering pass. Cleared by Fetisov.

Talk to each other. Play your position.

Krutov with the puck. Through the neutral zone.

Knifes through the defense. Right in front.

Picked up by Mark Johnson. Nice move around Bilyaletdinov.

Another great move around Makarov.

Checked by Golikov and sent flying into the boards.

The Soviets out of their own zone.

Pick him up. Don't let him through the middle.

Golikov crossing center ice. Leaves it for Makarov.

Makarov around Morrow. And he scores.

Makarov put the puck right between Morrow's legs, skated in and scored.

That was a textbook Soviet passing play. Beautifully done.

Once they get rolling, it's almost impossible to stop them.

Twenty-four gets the goal. Give 25 the assist.

With the Soviets leading two to one, the US team knows that all too well after what happened with these two teams at Madison Square Garden 13 days ago.

Referee Karl Kaisla calling the players over for the face-off.

You can hear the crowd trying to reinvigorate this US team.

Face-off won by the Soviets. Fetisov across to Kasatonov.

He circles behind his own net. Leaves it for Fetisov.

Keep the pressure on them. Moves it over to Mikhailov.

Pick him up. Watch the pass.

To Maltsev. Over to Makarov. sh*t stopped by Craig.

Don't let them have that middle.

Less than a half-minute in the first period.

The US can't clear it. Petrov with the puck.

Quick pass to Kharlamov. Stopped by Craig.

Petrov tries for the rebound. Craig knocks it away.

Kasatonov with a sh*t. Craig with another save.

Play it out.

And the US team finally clears it.

It looks like the US will end the period only a goal down, a tremendous achievement.

Johnson, go.

The puck is picked up by Christian in the neutral zone.

Long sh*t. Easy save by Tretyak.

But Johnson is there. And scores!

With one second to play in the period. The clock shows nothing.

It was stopped at one when we looked up and the goal was scored.

Right now it shows nothing as the period, apparently, has come to an end.

But the United States has tied the game.

A big, big goal for the US team.

Dave Christian took a sh*t from the other side of center ice, knowing there was almost no time on the clock.

The rebound comes right out to Mark Johnson, who goes wide of Tretyak to tie it up.

Tikhonov very upset. Questioning the goal.

The time on the clock shows zero.

Kaisla, the referee, indicating that the goal stands and the period is over.

And this crowd is electrified.

Tikhonov, like his team, not normally prone to showing much emotion.

As the teams skate off to their dressing rooms, this game is tied at two on an incredible last-second goal by Mark Johnson.

Wow! Thanks, Mean Joe.

We're back for the second period for what is turning out to be a very exciting game.

If you're just joining us, there were four goals scored in the first period, two by the Soviets, two by the Americans.

There's a change for the Soviet Union as Vladimir Myshkin becomes goalie after Tretyak had given up two goals in the first period.

Al, this is a big move.

Tretyak's been Tikhonov's bread and butter for a decade.

Still, Myshkin is a very capable backup.

You just put the best goaltender in the world on the bench.

It is very uncommon to see Vladislav Tretyak taken out, and something we have not seen in these Olympics.

Let's go, now, boys. Come on.

And here we go. The second period is under way.

The Conehead line out for the United States. Jim Craig in goal.

Krutov with the puck. Down the right side.

Centering pass. sh*t. Swatted away by Craig.

Attaboy, Jimmy.

Harrington breaks out. Gets behind the defense.

He has a breakaway. He can give the US the lead.

He sh**t. Stopped by Myshkin.

Fetisov up to Maltsev. Maltsev gets past Christian. sh**t.

The rebound. Maltsev scores.

The Soviets take the lead three to two.

Jim Craig knocked down on the play by Kharlamov, allowing Maltsev an easy goal on an open net.

Jim Craig's not getting up, Ken. This could be devastating to the US.

Craig's been the anchor of this team, playing every minute of every game in Lake Placid.

Herb Brooks may now be faced with replacing Craig with his backup goalie Steve Janaszak.

Janaszak played on Brooks' championship team last year at the University of Minnesota. He's played very little over the last six months and not at all in these Olympics.

Jimmy, you need Doc? No. I'm good. Give me a second.

Take your time.

Jim Craig back on his feet now.

Shaking it off, and it appears he'll remain in this game.

Attaboy, Jimmy.

A huge hand from this very appreciative crowd.

Seventeen minutes till the end of the second period.

The Soviet Union, three. The United States, two.

We're back for the start of the third period.

Twenty minutes left in a game that's closer than most anyone anticipated.

The teams were tied two-two after the first.

And the Soviets are now leading three to two.

Al Michaels at the Olympic Center with former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden.

The American team comes into this medal round unbeaten.

The Soviets are also unbeaten, winning all five of their games, scoring 51 goals in the process.

The US, four wins and a tie against Sweden, and a huge upset win over Czechoslovakia eight days ago.

Herb Brooks' young team is trying to overcome enormous odds to b*at the best team in the world tonight.

Boys. Come here. Bring it in.

Listen to them.

That's what you've done.

We've come from behind in every game so far and we can do it again.

We can b*at these guys.

Get your guys to the face-off.

Everybody in. Come on, boys.

Who do you play for? USA!

Come on, boys.

As the third period begins, the crowd is chanting.

Everyone on their feet.

The Americans are winless against the Soviets since 1960.

Since that day at Squaw Valley, it's been 20 years since a US team has defeated the Soviets.

The Soviets have been gold medal winners in every Olympics since 1960.

The top Soviet line is out there right now.

Mikhailov at center. He's flanked by Petrov and Kharlamov.

On defense, Kasatonov and Fetisov.

And in net, Vladimir Myshkin...

Face-off won by Johnson.

Ramsey with the puck. Up to Johnson. Johnson. Wrist sh*t.

Pick him up.

Puck is picked up by Kasatonov. To Mikhailov.

To Kharlamov, who carries it into the US zone.

sh*t. Stick save by Jim Craig.

Picked up in the corner by Krutov. Centering pass. sh*t. Saved by Craig.

Back to the point for Kasatonov. Slap sh*t. Stopped. And again.

Thattaboy, Jimmy.

Craig tested early in the third period.

Christian with the puck now. And he goes down.

We've got a penalty coming up on the Soviets.

Petrov going off for slashing.

Coneheads. Let's go.

This is a big opportunity for the US.

They haven't been able to go on the offense for some time now, and this is the chance.

Soviet Union penalty to number 16. Let's take advantage of this.

O'Callahan moving it up. Slips by Kharlamov.

Set it up, boys!

A long pass from Harrington. Harrington inside the Soviet blue line.

Back to O'Callahan.

Back to Harrington now.

To Ramsey at the point. Over to Schneider.

sh*t. Stopped by Myshkin.

Bilyaletdinov clears the zone.

Keep it going now, boys. Keep up the intensity.

Across to McClanahan. Back across to Silk.

sh*t deflected by Myshkin.

The Soviets clear the puck around the boards.

Sixteen seconds, sixteen seconds!

The US team with one more chance on this power play.

Last rush. Come on, Silky.

Dave Silk crossing. Silky, I'm with you.

He's checked. Loose puck.

Picked up by Johnson. He scores!

Mark Johnson, with only four seconds left in the power play, ties the game at three.

There we go.

USA goal scored by number ten, Johnson.

Assist, number eight, Silk. Time, 4:43.

Ken, a couple months ago, did you think this was remotely possible?

No, absolutely not.

But the thing with the US team is they're very young, very talented.

And now they're beginning to believe.

That's my boy.

The Americans, just as the penalty was about to expire, score to tie the game.

Three-three, the United States and the Soviet Union.

Face-off controlled by the Soviets.

Kharlamov on the att*ck. Down into the corner.

Drop pass. Kasatonov with a sh*t. Wide.

And the Americans with the puck. Clear it.

Maltsev streaks across the US blue line.

Over to Makarov. Craig with the save.

Kasatonov from the point. Craig again. Attaboy, Jimmy.

Keep them wide.

Come on, Buzzy.

Harrington up to Schneider. Rizzo, go.

Schneider gets rid of it and heads to the bench.

All right, Buzzy.

Bilyaletdinov picks up the puck in the corner.

Checked by Harrington.

Rizzo, Rizzo! Pavelich has it now.

Over to Eruzione.

He sh**t. He scores!

Eruzione!

And now we've got bedlam.

Anyone who was at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago who's watching this game tonight has got to be shocked.

I love Brooks' reaction.

Thattaway, Rizzo! Yes!

And the chant resumes.

Mike Eruzione out of Boston University, the captain of this US team, has just put the US ahead for the first time exactly halfway through the third period.

USA goal scored by number 21, Eruzione.

This US team was demoralized by the Soviets.

Very tentative. Very nervous. Very much in awe of the Soviet team.

And this is a US team that tonight is not in awe of anyone.

Come on, boys. Here we go.

Ten minutes left to play.

The face-off to Petrov. To Kharlamov.

Krutov crossing the US blue line.

Quick pass back to Maltsev. sh*t. Save.

Get it out of there.

Kasatonov at the point. A drive. Just wide of the net.

Krutov with the puck. Right in front. And another huge save by Jim Craig.

Play your game. Johnson moving across to McClanahan.

It's intercepted by Kharlamov. Take him wide.

Kharlamov leading the charge up the ice.

He fires a sh*t. Glove save. Jim Craig.

Keep it moving.

Wrist sh*t from Petrov. Craig again with the stop.

Kharlamov back to Kasatonov at the point. He sh**t. Stick save.

Attaboy, Jimmy.

Rebound out to McClanahan. Can't clear it.

Great play. McClanahan dives to clear the zone.

7:10 remaining in the third period.

We're gonna go with short shifts, boys, 30 to 40 seconds.

Short shifts, 30 to 40 seconds. Keep an eye on it, Doc.

Kharlamov with a long pass to Mikhailov. Over the blue line.

To Petrov right in front. sh*t. Sliding save by Craig.

Switch them up. Let's go. Go.

Petrov over to Maltsev. Off to Kasatonov at the point.

He sends it around the boards.

Picked up by Fetisov. Hit hard by Silk.

Get it out.

Picked up and cleared by Morrow.

And the Soviets regroup. Keep it going.

Five minutes to play in the third period.

Kasatonov leaves it for Mikhailov.

Mikhailov moves it over to Kharlamov. Slap sh*t.

Knocked away by Craig.

Chip it out! Ramsey moves it ahead to Pavelich.

Get ready. Through the neutral zone.

And he's run into the boards by Bilyaletdinov.

Change them up. Let's go. ...with 3:50 to play in the game.

Go off. Get off the ice.

He moves it up to Krutov. Krutov with the puck. Through the neutral zone.

Moving in on the net. That's stopped by Craig.

Thattaboy, Jimmy. Play your game, boys.

Loose puck in the corner. Krutov chasing it.

Schneider behind him, fighting for it.

Bring it off the board. Bring it off the board!

3:19 left to play. O'Callahan moving out.

How are we doing, Doc? Forty-two.

Change them up. Change them up!

Let's go. Golikov moving it up.

Leaves it for Makarov.

Saved by Craig.

Poise and control.

McClanahan scrapping for it. Mikhailov in there.

Hard hit by Ramsey. 2:17 remaining.

No more changes until the next whistle.

No more changes until the next whistle.

Come on, Jimmy.

Loose puck in the corner.

When they pull Myshkin, I want fresh legs. OC.

Yeah.

Kharlamov to Mikhailov. Ramsey diving. Fend him off!

Mikhailov over the blue line. Across to Petrov. sh*t. Save.

I'm amazed how well conditioned this US team is.

I've never seen the Soviets outskated this late in the game.

That's exactly what the US team is doing right now.

Golikov across to Petrov. sh*t. Kicked away by Craig.

Way to go, Jimmy.

Over to Maltsev. Moving in on the net. That's stopped by Craig.

Chip it out. Come on. That's it.

They're not pulling Myshkin. Kharlamov to Krutov.

He doesn't know what to do.

Thirty-six seconds left to play.

Makarov over the blue line. To Maltsev. Fires.

Another save.

Fighting for possession. Morrow trying to get it away from Kharlamov.

Come on.

Coming to you from the Olympic ice arena, the US, huge underdogs, leading the Soviet Union.

Johnson over to Ramsey. Bilyaletdinov checked by Ramsey.

McClanahan is there. The puck is loose.

Eleven seconds. Ten seconds. The countdown going on right now.

Morrow up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game.

Do you believe in miracles? Yes!

Yes! Yes!

Two days later, the miracle was made complete.

My boys defeated Finland to win the gold medal, coming from behind once again.

As I watched them out there, celebrating on the ice, I realized that Patti had been right.

It was a lot more than a hockey game.

Not only for those who watched it, but for those who played in it.

I've often been asked in the years since Lake Placid, what was the best moment for me?

Well, it was here.

The sight of 20 young men of such differing backgrounds now standing as one.

Young men willing to sacrifice so much of themselves all for an unknown.

A few years later, the US began using professional athletes at the Games.

Dream teams.

I always found that term ironic because now that we have dream teams, we seldom ever get to dream.

But on one weekend, as America and the world watched, a group of remarkable young men gave the nation what it needed most.

A chance, for one night, not only to dream.

But a chance, once again... to believe.

And I know you'll do a good job. See you guys later, OK?