1980 USA Hockey Team - What made them successful?

Conditioning

Goalkeeping

Home Ice

The beginning of the movie actually did a pretty good job of explaining it.

A few things at work. The Soviets had a degree of Tyson mystique to them in that they beat many opponents before the puck was even dropped. Coach Brooks had a plan to get his team to buy in to respecting the opponent but not fearing them.

Second, many teams basically tried to bunker against the Soviets for a whole host of reasons, talent gap, Soviets were highly skilled on offense, their goaltender was unbelievable. The Soviets destroyed teams that bunkered. Hell, they absolutely demolished the NHL all stars. Coach Brooks was going to attack them and make them play both ends of the ice.

Third, most teams are structured around selecting members based on taking the absolute best hockey players like if you were drafting. Coach Brooks selected his team based on tasks he wanted them to do. It is unconventional and very hard to justify. I think Brooks was selected despite pitching this because coaching that team was seen as a no hope situation with the USSR in the field.

As to what they did on the ice that made them successful, I can't give you too much specific insight, but it was based on passing and an attacking style that, as you mentioned, was not really all that prevalent, especially against the Soviets who punished mistakes with their gaudy talent.

The same thing that makes everything successful, Government.

It truly was a Miracle on Ice ..... the US team was comprised of mostly amateurs, 20-22 yr old college kids that were taught to believe in themselves. They had very little skating /practice time together whereas the Russians practiced 3x's per day, over 1,200 hours per year. The Russians dominated NHL All-Star teams and won every Olympic gold medal from 1964 to 1980 (record 27-1-1). They never lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968.

Coach Brooks was very demanding and made these kids believe in themselves by working their asses off. He threatened to kick Captain Mike Eruzione off the team when the team was to soft. The Russians were built on finesse and Team USA was coached up to be physical and punch Russia in the mouth from the opening drop of the puck.

The game totally changed on 2 key plays/coaching decisions. The US scored with 1 second left in the 1st period tying the game at 2-2. The Russian coach got so pissed he pulled the best goalie in the world. Once that happened, the entire game changed since the Russians and their coach were beaten mentally. Every player and person from Russia has confirmed that loss to the US was the worst loss in Russian sports history and it's not even close.

Big Red Machine - 1980 USSR Olympic team best ever assembled

We play this game 10 times they may win 9. But not this game. Not tonight.

I don't know b/c I was only 10 at the time. Being from LA I didn't know much about hockey or its rules. But it was the greatest sporting event I ever watched to this day. I can remember being so nervous during that game and can still relive those feelings. I don't think I'll ever see anything like that again.

Home ice and luck.

The Soviets outshot us 39-16.

Broad street bully tactics is what I’ve been told. The Flyers ran off the USSR team in an exhibition game and beat the living frick out of them at the blue line. They allegedly left the ice in the middle of the game. That’s what I was told at least

Same thing that made buster douglas successful that night he upset Tyson. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard