From the time it first appeared on Olympic ice in 1924, ice hockey has made the Winter Games an exciting, high-stakes event. The sport’s fast pace and physicality have attracted athletes from all over the world, including those who wouldn’t otherwise participate in an ice sport. The game also has drawn the attention of a wide audience, making it one of the most watched events on the Olympics program.
The most famous moment in Olympic ice hockey came in the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” semifinal against the Soviet Union. With the score tied 3-3, U.S. captain Mike Eruzione picked up a loose puck in the Soviet zone, used a defenseman as a screen and threw a wrist shot past the goalie to win the game and the gold medal.
But the story of the Miracle on Ice wasn’t over. The American team needed to win its next two games in order to make the medal round. A loss would have knocked them out of contention. And with ten minutes left in the final period and the score still tied, it seemed like the Soviets were going to hold on for victory.
Then Jim Craig, a backup goalie who was playing in his first Olympic game, stopped all five of the Soviet shooters to help the United States advance. The Soviets were stunned. Gloves and sticks littered the ice as the players celebrated. It was a moment that shook the sports world and is considered the greatest upset in Olympic ice hockey history.