1980 'Miracle on Ice' USA Hockey Team Reunites in Lake Placid

Thirty-five years ago, the United States men's hockey team pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in Olympic history. The remaining members of that "Miracle on Ice" squad gathered Saturday in Lake Placid to commemorate the 35th anniversary of that historic moment.    

"It feels exactly the same," Dave Christian said from the Herb Brooks Arena, per Sandy Caligiore of The Associated Press. "You could feel the electricity in the (locker) room. It's still there."

Hosted in the city that made them famous, Saturday night's ceremony came a day before the exact 35-year anniversary of the United States' win over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Viewed as heavy underdogs, the U.S. battled a team of Soviet pros to the wire, earning a 4-3 victory on a goal from team captain Mike Eruzione.

Mike Groll/Associated Press

The moment is remembered not only for its on-ice accomplishment, but also for what it meant for the U.S. during a period of intense international strife.

"In sports in general, everyone roots for the underdog, which we certainly were an underdog," Christian said. "We were aware of the political situation in the world, but in a lot of respects for us it truly was a game, a great challenge."

The ceremony was part of a weekend-long celebration of the "Miracle on Ice." It was the first time every living member of the team had been together since taking home Olympic gold. On Sunday, NBC will honor the team by airing its NHL studio coverage from Lake Placid and interviewing the players.

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