In the hockey game, the Soviet Union dominated the entire first period, winning 2-1. However, the United States tied the game when USA player Dave Christian took a long shot. Christian's shot was stopped by USSR goalie, Tertian, but the puck was rebounded and was then shot in by USA player Mark Johnson to tie the game 2-2. During halftime, USSR goalie Tretiak was replaced due to his incapability to stop Johnson's goal. Tretiak later exclaims that "I don't think I should've been replaced in that game" _. The Americans then only had two shots on goal during the entire second period, both failing to hit the net. However, the Soviet Union did score another in the second period to take the lead 3-2.
As things started to intensify as the game neared its' final buzzer, the United States came back with 20 minutes left and scored to tie the game once again 3-3. Finally, a USSR player named Pervukin made a pass in an attempt to clear the puck out of the USSR defensive side, but the puck was intercepted by US player Mark Pavelich. Another US player, Mike Eruzione, then took the puck and took a wrist shot 25 feet from the net, where the puck zipped by USSR player, Myshkin, and into the net to give the US a 4-3 lead. For the last few minutes, the United States held off the Soviet Union as US coach Herb Brooks consistently changed the lineup and USSR coach kept his returners in without rotation. With seconds counting down on the clock, sports announcer Al Michaels spoke some of the most famous words in United States sports history:
As things started to intensify as the game neared its' final buzzer, the United States came back with 20 minutes left and scored to tie the game once again 3-3. Finally, a USSR player named Pervukin made a pass in an attempt to clear the puck out of the USSR defensive side, but the puck was intercepted by US player Mark Pavelich. Another US player, Mike Eruzione, then took the puck and took a wrist shot 25 feet from the net, where the puck zipped by USSR player, Myshkin, and into the net to give the US a 4-3 lead. For the last few minutes, the United States held off the Soviet Union as US coach Herb Brooks consistently changed the lineup and USSR coach kept his returners in without rotation. With seconds counting down on the clock, sports announcer Al Michaels spoke some of the most famous words in United States sports history:
"eleven seconds. you got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now. Five seconds left in the game! do you believe in miracles? yes!" -Al Michaels
The United States had defeated the Soviet Union.