Ok hockey nuts...I was listening to my local sports guy McCown his guest cohort (name escapes me now) and phone in guest Richard Dietsch (who is one of my absolute faves hear from), today on local radio discuss it...
The question they posed that intrigued me was 'If the USA had beaten Canada in the semi final game rather than the Soviets would the event have the same cache ?'
McCown and Dietsch said absolutely not the other fella wasn't convinced right away...I tend to agree that it wouldn't have. Their reasoning and mine was that at the time the US was in a time of crisis in some regards? With Iran hostage, the economy, the Cold War etc. I would expand it myself to include the fact that the USSR team they faced was perhaps the best ever assembled...imo BETTER than the one Canada faced in '72 (which many of you know was a pretty damn big deal here). That same team effectively waxed the NHL all star squad the year prior (at MSG I THINK?) and also waxed Canada about 8 -1 or something in the Canada Cup here the year after Miracle. I am thinking as essentially a group of college kids facing the BIG Red Machine (as did all on radio today) that this is likely the greatest upset/sporting victory of all time? Curious if you all feel same, where you were that day/ were you watching (either the final vs Finland or the Semi vs USSR), and if you can think of any sports victories that compare? Buster Douglas over Iron Mike? that might come to my mind but still doesnt equate imo....Happy anniversary regardless! [cheers]
The question they posed that intrigued me was 'If the USA had beaten Canada in the semi final game rather than the Soviets would the event have the same cache ?'
McCown and Dietsch said absolutely not the other fella wasn't convinced right away...I tend to agree that it wouldn't have. Their reasoning and mine was that at the time the US was in a time of crisis in some regards? With Iran hostage, the economy, the Cold War etc. I would expand it myself to include the fact that the USSR team they faced was perhaps the best ever assembled...imo BETTER than the one Canada faced in '72 (which many of you know was a pretty damn big deal here). That same team effectively waxed the NHL all star squad the year prior (at MSG I THINK?) and also waxed Canada about 8 -1 or something in the Canada Cup here the year after Miracle. I am thinking as essentially a group of college kids facing the BIG Red Machine (as did all on radio today) that this is likely the greatest upset/sporting victory of all time? Curious if you all feel same, where you were that day/ were you watching (either the final vs Finland or the Semi vs USSR), and if you can think of any sports victories that compare? Buster Douglas over Iron Mike? that might come to my mind but still doesnt equate imo....Happy anniversary regardless! [cheers]