Being a huge hockey fan and playing the sport for the majority of my life, when this movie came out I couldnt miss it. Everyone who has played hockey knows about the 1980 US hockey team and what they did at Lake Placid. One of the top upsets in all of sports history, the college kids from around the US shocked the world by beating the best team in the world at the time, the Soviet Union. The Soviets had won the previous 4 gold medals and before the Olympics, destroyed the NHL All-Stars. No one gave the group of college kids any chance at beating the Soviets. Every time I watch this movie I get goosebumps. This was not just a hockey game it was a chance for Americans to rally around a group of individuals to boost the moral of a country that was in need of a spark. At a time when the cold war was going on between the US and Soviet Union, the American hostage situation in Tehran, and maybe most importantly, the United States was in a tough time with the economy, the 1980 Olympic hockey team gave reason for hope and belief throughout the United States. At the beginning of the move it showed the assistant coach and the "doc" in their car listening to the radio. I cant remember exactly what was said but it was something about the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan. While they were listening to it the movie showed the dozens of cars lining up to get gas, because the supply of gas at this time was very poor and it was also pretty expensive.

I felt a sense of American pride when Al Michaels siad the line that will ever be linked to this movie and American history, "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" This is one of the many parts in the movie that brings goosebumps to me. When Herb Brooks gave his pregame speech I also felt a sense of pride because the whole team knew exactly what they were up against and what they were fighting for. This was no ordinary hockey game and they knew that going into it. I also have had the privledge to meet Mark Johnson who scored two goals in that game. I played hockey agaisnt all three of his sons and I also played on the same team as the youngest son Patrick, who is now a member of the Wisconsin Badger hockey team. I've been to the Johnson's house in Madison and have had the chance to see and hold the gold medal. Mark also has his jersey gloves and stick that he used in the game agasint the Soviets hung up in his house. Getting the chance to sit down with him and talk to him about this historical event was something that I will remember for the rest of my life. Just hearing how much pride he had wearing that jersey that had USA on the front was unbelieveable.