re: 1980 USA Hockey Team - What made them successful?

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