How big of a miracle was the "Miracle on Ice?"

[Sanf]

The real shame of Olympic hockey is the pre 1998 tournaments that could have been, but never were due to stupid, hypocritical IOC rules.

Bit of nitpicking, but actually pre 1988 fault was in IOC rules. Someone correct if I´m wrong, but after that the blame was on NHL´s side. IOC changed the rules in 1986?

 

[Bear of Bad News]

We'll have to disagree. Olympic tournament with the best players are suspect at best. In my mind, there is a big asterisk on all the results from the 50's 60's 70's 80's.

That's fine to disagree, especially since it's not really on-topic. Let's move on.

 

[Butch 19]

Exactly, pretty much garbage.

You're in your 50's yet you continue to carry this "the games were garbage" sentiment? Why do you even care? (I can take a shot at this)

And no, it was not garbage, it was good hockey, the best (allowable players) in the world at the time.

Time to let it go, isn't it?

 

[Bear of Bad News]

You're in your 50's yet you continue to carry this "the games were garbage" sentiment? Why do you even care? (I can take a shot at this)

And no, it was not garbage, it was good hockey, the best (allowable players) in the world at the time.

Time to let it go, isn't it?

My "let's move on" comment was made as a moderator. Let's move on.

 

[Killion]

My "let's move on" comment was made as a moderator. Let's move on.

Ya. Y'know Taco? My only complaint about 1980 was that that was the year MTV really took-off. Video killed the radio star. Really bad music, so called "musicians" pauncing around in tinfoil jumpsuits with flower pots on their heads. Wat dat? Team USA beating Ivan & winning the Gold the only memorable event of that year really....

 

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Ya. Y'know Taco? My only complaint about 1980 was that that was the year MTV really took-off. Video killed the radio star. Really bad music, so called "musicians" pauncing around in tinfoil jumpsuits with flower pots on their heads.

You remember Devo? The rest of us have been desperately trying to forget them!

 

[nutbar]

I am a bit unclear on the 'amateur' rules used at the time.

In 1984, Canada couldn't use several players who had played Minor Pro, like Kelly Hrudey. But in 1980 , the US was allowed to use Mike Eruizone.

And then there were the European teams...

 

[GameEight]

You remember Devo? The rest of us have been desperately trying to forget them!

Here, here... I blame MTV for completely destroying my college musical experience.

 

[GameEight]

We'll have to disagree. Olympic tournament with the best players are suspect at best. In my mind, there is a big asterisk on all the results from the 50's 60's 70's 80's.

I'll go one step further. The Olympic tournaments of this time were bogus. I only woke up to this in 1972, when Sapporo came around and I was nine. I shudder to think what it must have been like to be a Canadian, watching those tournaments from the mid-50s onward...

Not saying that the Soviets couldn't play. Not blaming the Soviets (or the Czechs, either.) I blame the IOC and the IIHF - two sold out organizations with no ethical compass, although at some point before the best (non Soviet and Czech) pros played both orgs let them, at which point it wasn't their fault.

 

[GameEight]

Next you read posts claiming Miracle had a monumental impact not only on sports, but the world.
The mythologization begins. This has been my point since post #1.

In this example its actually a valid point, the 'world' thing, as noted the sport's world governing body (IIHF) declared this one game the biggest story in the same century. It transcended nationalism.

Nonetheless, you are right. We humans often mythologize the past. All things considered, I shudder to think where things might go if Mike Eruzione's image ever shows up on a piece of toast!

 

[Bear of Bad News]

What part of "let's get back on topic" wasn't clear?