On the 38th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice,” New England Hockey Journal catches up with a local legend for a reflection of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games and the mission that most global hockey pundits thought was an impossible dream. Contributing writer Steven DiOssi spent some time with 1980 Team USA goaltender Jim Craig to look back on the tournament that forever changed ice hockey history.
Hours after defeating Finland to capture the gold medal in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, United States goaltender Jim Craig couldn’t hide his emotions at the medal ceremony.
The crowd at the Olympic Fieldhouse in Lake Placid, N.Y., roared as it waited to see Team USA collect gold for just the second time ever. Craig, who was first in line, hopped once as he was called up to the podium to receive his medal.
It’s a snapshot in history that captures the raw emotion Craig and his teammates had after what they’d accomplished together at the Olympics.