Ep 29. Of Miracles and Men

Of Miracles and Men, a 30 For 30 season 2 episode 29, takes us on a captivating journey to the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. The episode explores the historic hockey match between the Soviet Union and the United States that changed the course of the sport forever.

The episode opens with a depiction of the Cold War tensions between the two nations and how it played out in the world of sports. It then delves into the Soviet hockey team's dominance in the sport and how they were largely considered unbeatable by the rest of the world.

The Soviet team, led by legendary coach Anatoly Tarasov, was a well-oiled machine. They were known for their disciplined style of play and had won every international tournament they had participated in for the past decade. It was believed they would easily take home the gold medal in the 1980 Olympics.

The United States team, on the other hand, was considered an underdog. Comprised of young players from different parts of the country, they were not expected to pose much of a challenge to the Soviet team. However, coach Herb Brooks had other plans.

The episode takes us through the process of how Brooks handpicked his team and trained them to execute a new style of play that was designed to break through the Soviet team's invincibility. He pushed his players to their limits during training, demanding nothing less than perfection.

The day of the match arrives, and the entire world is watching. What ensues is an intense battle between the two teams, with the Soviet team dominating the first two periods. But then, in a moment that would go down in history, the United States team pulls off a miraculous comeback to win the game 4-3.

The episode offers a detailed analysis of the game, with commentary from players, coaches, and experts in the field. It also explores the aftermath of the victory, with the United States team going on to win the gold medal and the Soviet team suffering a crushing defeat.

Of Miracles and Men is not just a story of a hockey game, but a tale of hope, determination, and perseverance. It is a tribute to the young players who defied the odds and made history, and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and belief.