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1980 USA Hockey Team - What made them successful?
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:22 pm
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:22 pm
I first heard about the 1980 USA Hockey Team because of the 2006 movie Miracle. I haven't learned the ins-and-outs of hockey, but I read where Brooks did in fact install a new style of hockey for the team (well, for the USA at least), and I also read where this team had a "hard checking style" that wasn't prevalent in international play.
Any long-time hockey fans willing and able to weigh in on this? What were the major differences in the style he taught? What did they mean by hard checking? What else stood out?
Any long-time hockey fans willing and able to weigh in on this? What were the major differences in the style he taught? What did they mean by hard checking? What else stood out?
21
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:25 pm to DakIsNoLB
Coaching
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:25 pm to DakIsNoLB
Conditioning
Goalkeeping
Home Ice
Goalkeeping
Home Ice
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:26 pm to DakIsNoLB
Coaching
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:36 pm to DakIsNoLB
The beginning of the movie actually did a pretty good job of explaining it.
A few things at work. The Soviets had a degree of Tyson mystique to them in that they beat many opponents before the puck was even dropped. Coach Brooks had a plan to get his team to buy in to respecting the opponent but not fearing them.
Second, many teams basically tried to bunker against the Soviets for a whole host of reasons, talent gap, Soviets were highly skilled on offense, their goaltender was unbelievable. The Soviets destroyed teams that bunkered. Hell, they absolutely demolished the NHL all stars. Coach Brooks was going to attack them and make them play both ends of the ice.
Third, most teams are structured around selecting members based on taking the absolute best hockey players like if you were drafting. Coach Brooks selected his team based on tasks he wanted them to do. It is unconventional and very hard to justify. I think Brooks was selected despite pitching this because coaching that team was seen as a no hope situation with the USSR in the field.
As to what they did on the ice that made them successful, I can't give you too much specific insight, but it was based on passing and an attacking style that, as you mentioned, was not really all that prevalent, especially against the Soviets who punished mistakes with their gaudy talent.
A few things at work. The Soviets had a degree of Tyson mystique to them in that they beat many opponents before the puck was even dropped. Coach Brooks had a plan to get his team to buy in to respecting the opponent but not fearing them.
Second, many teams basically tried to bunker against the Soviets for a whole host of reasons, talent gap, Soviets were highly skilled on offense, their goaltender was unbelievable. The Soviets destroyed teams that bunkered. Hell, they absolutely demolished the NHL all stars. Coach Brooks was going to attack them and make them play both ends of the ice.
Third, most teams are structured around selecting members based on taking the absolute best hockey players like if you were drafting. Coach Brooks selected his team based on tasks he wanted them to do. It is unconventional and very hard to justify. I think Brooks was selected despite pitching this because coaching that team was seen as a no hope situation with the USSR in the field.
As to what they did on the ice that made them successful, I can't give you too much specific insight, but it was based on passing and an attacking style that, as you mentioned, was not really all that prevalent, especially against the Soviets who punished mistakes with their gaudy talent.
This post was edited on 8/11/23 at 11:10 am
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:46 pm to DakIsNoLB
Coaching, hot goaltender, and randomness of hockey in a single game elimination format
The chance of that team beating Russian in a 7 game series almost zero. 1 game in hockey? Sure why not
The chance of that team beating Russian in a 7 game series almost zero. 1 game in hockey? Sure why not
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:46 pm to DakIsNoLB
The same thing that makes everything successful, Government.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:49 pm to lsupride87
quote:
hot goaltender
This is the big one, IMO. We see hot goalies carry teams through NHL playoff runs every year.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:53 pm to DakIsNoLB
Talent+ Heart + Coaching+ Patriotism + Home Field Advantage
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:54 pm to VADawg
Oh, yeah, the other massive thing that I stupidly left out is that Tikhonov pulled Tretiak in the first freaking period. Massive mistake and colossal failure. Perhaps the biggest reason the US won that game.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:10 pm to therick711
13 of the players came from 2 college teams that hated each other (Boston and Minn), gave it an intensity he wanted getting ready for it I believe.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:25 pm to therick711
quote:
Oh, yeah, the other massive thing that I stupidly left out is that Tikhonov pulled Tretiak in the first freaking period. Massive mistake and colossal failure. Perhaps the biggest reason the US won that game.
He also didn't pull the goalie in the final minutes even when they were getting heavy pressure 5 on 5 at the end. An extra attacker with the pressure they were getting, who knows what could have happened. But the Soviets had never been in that situation before. Didn't even practice 6 on 5.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:26 pm to DakIsNoLB
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
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
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:28 pm to DakIsNoLB
Russia threw the game for the mob
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:51 pm to DakIsNoLB
Thanks for the responses. The movie had Brooks say you don't defend them (USSR); you attack them. Shove their game right back at them.
As for hard checking style, I take that to mean US hockey in general utilized checking more so than European teams. I'm assuming facing a team that runs up and down the ice with you for the whole game as well as took every opportunity to violently separate you from the puck takes its toll.
As for hard checking style, I take that to mean US hockey in general utilized checking more so than European teams. I'm assuming facing a team that runs up and down the ice with you for the whole game as well as took every opportunity to violently separate you from the puck takes its toll.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 4:05 pm to LSUlefty
quote:
Coaching
Herb is the opposite of Vlatko.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 4:15 pm to McGregor
quote:
13 of the players came from 2 college teams that hated each other (Boston and Minn), gave it an intensity he wanted getting ready for it I believe.
It also gave them familiarity with one another. I think most of the team was comprised of players from the state of Minnesota. They had played with and against each other their entire lives.
Throw some players in from Boston and Wisconsin, and Brooks built a single team from the best players from only the best four or five college teams in the country.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 4:51 pm to DakIsNoLB
We play this game 10 times they may win 9. But not this game. Not tonight.
This post was edited on 8/10/23 at 4:52 pm
Posted on 8/10/23 at 5:03 pm to lsupride87
quote:
hot goaltender….randomness of hockey in a single game elimination format
After the 1st period the Soviet coach Tikhonov pulled goaltender Vladislav Tretiak, he was considered by many hockey people the best goaltender in the world at the time and maybe the GOAT.
Posted on 8/10/23 at 5:39 pm to DakIsNoLB
On top of everything mentioned these kids played for pride of country and flag. They fully vested into repping the USA and it was an honor to be part of that. Compared to a recent womens soccer loss the differences could not be more apart. When that game stayed close crowds gathered at storefronts in NYC to watch and cheer. There was 100% patriotism and that vestment means the players dug down deep to find that inner strength to rep the USA. Very proud moment in our history and we may not ever see that type patriotism again.
Keep in mind this was during RR presidency and height of cold war of the 80’s. The countries hated each other. So it was an honor to rep your country. One of the greatest sports stories in history
Keep in mind this was during RR presidency and height of cold war of the 80’s. The countries hated each other. So it was an honor to rep your country. One of the greatest sports stories in history
This post was edited on 8/10/23 at 5:43 pm
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