By Dave Sikula Mon, February 22, 2010, 12:01 am PST

Actor Eddie Cahill celebrates the upset in 2004's "Miracle" When the U.S. ice hockey team upset the Canadian squad on Sunday, we couldn't help but be reminded that today, February 22, marks the 30th anniversary of what many believe was the greatest upset in sports history, the so-called "Miracle on Ice." Sportscaster Al Michaels' call, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!," entered the pantheon of great sports calls, and put the capper on the American ice hockey team's upset of the heavily-favored Soviet team. The "Miracle on Ice" was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurance, but hardly a season goes by when some underdog doesn't defy the odds and stun fans with an unexpected victory. And don't think that Hollywood doesn't notice, either. Such David-and-Goliath sagas are tailor-made for the movies, where stories that warm the heart can turn into cold, hard cash. The American hockey victory alone was turned into not one, but two films, and such unlikely human -- and animal -- champions as James J. Braddock and Seabiscuit gave hope to Americans beaten down by the Great Depression -- to the delight of studio heads seventy years later. Audiences cheered Milan High School's small-town championship in "Hoosiers," and, while it's not an "upset," the rags-to-riches story of Michael Oher in last year's "The Blind Side" may spell Oscar gold for Sandra Bullock. Whose story will make it to the silver screen next? Joe Namath's? Kirk Gibson's? Or is the next Rulon Gardner still in hiding, just waiting for a chance? Suggested Sites... ESPN: The Biggest Upsets - fans and writers vote on the greatest upendings of all time. Broadway Joe - you'll look at this page about Joe Namath -- we guarantee it. Wikipedia: Miracle on Ice - all about the team that went for the gold. Russians Play Down "Miracle on Ice" 30 Years Later - not everyone was happy with the outcome. Vancouver 2010: Ice Hockey - official Olympic site for the current competition.

Directory categories: Sports Movies, 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Miracle Movie, Olympic Ice Hockey, 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

Archived under: 1980s, American History, Anniversaries, Athletes, Entertainment, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Miracles, Movies, Olympics, Russia, Sports, Winter Olympics, Winter Sports

Post a comment (0) | Email this posting | The Spark Home