On February 22, 1980 a group of amateur and collegiate ice hockey players from the United States took on the Soviet team. Not expected to win, the Americans pulled off an insane victory against what was thought to be the best hockey team in the world.

Coach Herb Brooks went on to lead Team USA to victory in this round with a final game score of 4 to 3. Team USA then played Finland in the gold medal round and was victorious there as well. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the “Miracle on Ice” the Top Sports Moment of the 20th Century.

From that team, two players went on to play for the Buffalo Sabres. Mike Ramsey was a defenseman who played 1,070 games in the NHL and is considered one of the most successful players from that 1980 Olympic team. Rob McClanahan was a forward who also played for the Sabres for a bit, having been drafted by them in 1978.

Eric Strobel was also drafted by the Sabres, but only played 16 games for the Rochester Americans before retiring from injury. John Harrington was undrafted by the NHL, but came to an open try-out with the Buffalo Sabres and played 15 games for the Rochester Americans. (Thanks to Paul Hamilton for those numbers)

In honor of the epic game in Lake Placid, here are some videos to take a look at.

Check out the final minute of play from the “Miracle on Ice” game from the 1980 Olympics.

This game and the events that led up to it were turned into the movie “Miracle” and here is a clip. Just try to not be inspired.

Photo courtesy of Youtube.