HERB BROOKS
Herb Brooks coached the US Hockey Team to victory in 1980. He went on to coach more college Hockey in Minnesota. He never apologized to his players for treating them the way he did. He coached the 2002 Hockey Team in Salt Lake City. He died in a car accident in 2003.

JIM CRAIG
Jim Craig was a key part in the Lake Placid Olympics. He also helped with MIRACLE as well as with my father’s book The Boys of Winter. He now lives in Boston. He also has his own website: www.jimcraigusa.com.

MIKE ERUZIONE
After the 80’ Olympics, Mike played college hockey, then went professional. He was very proud of his gold and to this day cherishes it. He played a big role in the Disney Film MIRACLE in 2002 and 2003. He lives in Minnesota now.

ROB MCCLANAHAN
Was a help in my father’s book along with Jim Craig in 2003. He lives in Minnesota to this day. Brooks never apologized to him for what he did to him in the locker-room.

JACK O’CALLAHAN
Now Lives in Boston. He also helped with MIRACLE. He cherishes his gold medal. He played college then pro hockey and still keeps in touch with his old teammates.

vs. SWEDEN

The United States went into this game in a sense unprepared. They played utterly bitter in the first period. Brooks did not take it easy on them. The US hadn’t beaten Sweden in some 20 years. So to get the team riled up Brooks took it out on the badly injured Rob McClanahan, calling him a "candy butt" and saying that he didn’t deserve to be on the team. They did exactly what Brooks wanted them to do: PLAY HARDER. They came back with 27 seconds scoring a goal. (Bill Baker) They tied 2-2

vs. The CZECHS

In the 2^nd game of the Olympics, the US beat the Czechs 7-3. Remarkably, all seven goals were scored with different players. The Czechs were sought to get at least a silver or higher and were ranked #2 in the tournament compared to the United States’ #6 ranking. The came from behind, ironically, like every other game. This game was thought as a practice for the upcoming game against the Soviets.

vs. NORWAY

Again, in this game, the United States came from behind. They beat Norway 5-1. They kept on climbing up in the rankings, game by game, goal by goal.

Brooks felt that his team was improving after this good win. But were they good enough to beat the USSR?

vs. ROMAINIA

The US Beat the Romanians in pride. In a blowout game, 7-2, the United States showed great discipline hustling and getting everyone in the game involved. They were beginning to gain confidence. The Soviets lay only 1 win away.

vs. WEST GERMANY

West Germany had beaten the US in 1976 in a big upset game. They thought of this as a revenge of the West Germans. If they won this, they would advance to the Soviets, the best team in the world! They beat the Germans 4-2, with goals from Neal Broten, Rob Mcclanahan and Phil Verchota. In their eyes they were ready for Friday, where their biggest challenge awaited-The USSR.

vs. THE USSR

The game against the Soviets may be the best game in hockey history. A fight for a medal, pride and dignity all packed into one arena in downtown Lake Placid. All riled up, the US entered the ice ready to play. Keep in mind that 10 days before, the Soviets had beaten the US 10-3 in Madison Square Garden. At the end of the first quarter, it was tied 2-2. Then something happened that Victor Tikanof, (The coach) will regret forever. He pulled Vladislav Tretiak, the best goalie in the world out of the game, being replaced by Vladimir Mishkin. The USSR took the lead 3-2 but then the US struck back. They scored one goal by Mark Johnson and then in the 3^rd quarter Mike Eruzione had the puck going down the rink

"Eruzione Scores!" yelled Al Michaels jumping in his seat. The USA had taken the lead! Now it was countdown time. The crowd was roaring 10, 9, 8,7,6,5,4,3,2… "Do you believe in Miracles? YES!" They did it. They did the impossible. The gold lay now 1 win away and only Finland was in their way!