| 21 February 2010
I'm too young to remember the original Miracle on Ice. In fact, I wasn't even alive for it. All my generation knows about the miracle game is that Russia lost to the biggest underdog in sporting history during a time when it seemed American world power was waning. My generation watches ESPN Classic wanting to have lived that moment and shared in its triumph but, alas, it was not our time.
It's doubtful any hockey game will ever be as miraculous as the Russia vs. USA match of 1980, but at least for our generation we have 5-3.
Sunday night's 5-3 victory over the Canadians could be dismissed as just a game for a few reasons. It was only a preliminary match, every team goes to the playoffs and the United States team wasn't filled with college players, but professionals. I'm sure the criticisms only start there.
The game will be likened to the Miracle on Ice by some, but perhaps it's not so much a "miracle" as it is just a classic. Still, we're just one day short of the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice and it's hard to not draw some small comparisons.
Sunday night, a team composed of young NHL talent defeated a literal NHL All-Star team in the international spotlight. And they did it convincingly, showing that despite the gaps in age or the supposed gaps in skill, the American team could and can compete with the best in the world.
The Miracle on Ice was shown after the fact to many Americans on tape delay. What makes this game special is that not only did we experience the game in our living rooms with family and friends, but with our countrymen through social media.
#DoYouBelieveinMillercles trended throughout the night as Buffalo Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller turned away the likes of Dany Heatley, Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla. Miller's play robbed the Canadians of sure chances that other goaltenders would not have been able to stop in their wildest dreams.
Together, as a Twitter nation, we watched Patrick Kane dangle through defenders, and elder player Brian Rafalski put two goals behind Martin Brodeur. Then the Internet erupted into a victory cheer when Ryan Kesler's gusty diving one-handed swipe sent the puck into an empty net, sealing the game.
5-3. Instant classic.
We can try to draw comparisons to the legendary 1980 American team for the next few days, but at least for a moment let's just revel in what might have been the greatest game of hockey this season. Yes, even better than Capitals vs. Penguins on Super Bowl Sunday...by a long shot.
Maybe this game isn't so much a miracle as it is a start of an improbable run to a gold medal. Only time will tell. But the hockey only starts to get good from here; after all, we still have a week and a gold medal round left.
It's not a miracle, but yes, it's a Miller-cle.
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