The Olympic Games

The 1980 Winter Olympic Games began on February 12 in Lake Placid, New York. Three days before the Games, the United States played the Soviet Union at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Soviet Union won this game 10-3, and after this, many people believed that the United States was not going to stand a chance at all during the actual games. However, in their first game, the United States tied heavily favored Sweeden, 2-2, by tying the game with only thirty seconds to go in the game. A few days later, the Americans defeated Czechoslovakia, who was considered to be the second best team in the world 7-3, and after this game, fans of the United States began to believe that this team may have a chance to win a medal. The college-age Americans then went on to defeat Romania, Norway and West Germany (coming from behind in each game) to advance to the semi-finals against the Soviet Union. The much older Russian players had an easier time in the tournament at that point, winning every game, and even routing Japan 16-0! This would set up the memorable game between the United States and the Soviet Union.