Olympics: What would be the modern equivalent of 'Miracle on ice' and the U.S. 1980 Olympic gold?

[Lambo]

Finland 2019 World Championship! With almost a european squad they won Gold. Beat a russian super team in semis.

 

[Elvs]

I'm a little surprised about the Germany nominations. I was rooting so hard for them that game, and it was heart breaking to see them fail on the finish line. But I saw them as a legit medal candidate before the tournament which feauted no NHL players. The DEL is good league and they had several players with experience from other pro leagues as well. Not to mention Germany finished 4th in the 2010 World Championship, a tournemant (as you all know) feautered NHL players.

Finland winning gold at the 2019 World Championship was a very big surprise. On paper, I'd say even Slovakia featured a stronger team on home ice. But the WC doesn't have the same status as the Olympics does, obviously. Thus I don't think it's an equivalent of the U.S. winning in 1980, though it's gotta be the most surprising gold winner a major ice hockey tournament ever since.

 

[Mickey Marner]

There is no comparison on the political end of things, but that team is similar to Germany or Switzerland (sans Draisaitl and Josi) defeating Canada.

 

[Crosbyfan]

The CFL, using only Canadian players, beating the NFL Allstar Team in a Super Duper Bowl.

 

[nickdawg95]

That Latvia game with Kristers Gudlevskis standing on his head, except winning imo

I was just about to mention this wasn't ted nolan the coach of that team ?

 

[BlitzSnipe]

The German WJC or men's team wins the world championship?

 

[kilowatt]

Nowhere near attractive as actually winning something but Slovenia's quarter-finals in Sochi, knowing Slovenia only has about 1000 registered hockey players and out of those something like 100 pros, maybe even less?

Imagine having a pool that tiny and getting to the qf.

Kopitar - Kopitar - Kopitar
Kopitar - Kopitar
Kopitar

 

[alko]

Slovenia (not Slovakia) beat Canada with NHL stars.

Still, the buzz about that will be not such big, as it was in 80s. Simply, the atmosphere istn anymore like it was. It will be like: aha Ok, Canadian golden boys sucked. But after one year, nobody will much care about it.

 

[Caffeine]

Team outside of top6 national teams winning world championship or olympic gold.

 

[Czechboy]

Tough one to be honest. If we're talking best on best Olympics then the Czechs, Swiss and Germany all have solid teams. Them winning would be an upset but not earth shattering. Eg. Germany has the reigning Hart Trophy Winner and 2 solid NHL goalies. The Swiss have a bunch of first rounders and the reigning Norris trophy winner. Czechs can field an all NHL team with at least one superstar (Pastrnak). Slovakia still has some nice pieces as well. I think you'd have to see Denmark/Latvia/France/Belarus winning it all.

 

[Urbanskog]

Tough one to be honest. If we're talking best on best Olympics then the Czechs, Swiss and Germany all have solid teams. Them winning would be an upset but not earth shattering. Eg. Germany has the reigning Hart Trophy Winner and 2 solid NHL goalies. The Swiss have a bunch of first rounders and the reigning Norris trophy winner. Czechs can field an all NHL team with at least one superstar (Pastrnak). Slovakia still has some nice pieces as well. I think you'd have to see Denmark/Latvia/France/Belarus winning it all.

Denmark looks good on paper at its best too, but somehow they still failed in the 2018 qualification.

 

[BudBundy]

Really, Finland? It would obviously be an upset, but not anything close to a miracle.

Take away the American homerism and self-promotion and the US winning in 1980 wasn’t close to a miracle either.

 

[Czechboy]

Denmark looks good on paper at its best too, but somehow they still failed in the 2018 qualification.

Agreed.. they can piece together a nice roster and would keep games close with their great skating and a good goalie. A few counter punch scorers as well.

Having said that.. if they win the next pro on pro Olympics I will personally be shocked. I only think 5 countries can win the Gold.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Miracle on Ice was significant for two reasons:

1. US amateur players vs Russian professionals who had consistently won internationally and had just embarrassed a handful of NHL teams. There was a huge gap in talent, experience and accomplishment. The Russians were considered practically unbeatable. Even modern day Team Canada, as good as they are and have been, aren't as head and shoulders above their competition.

2. The US and Russia were in the middle of a cold war with the rest of the world watching nervously. In this respect they were rivals, itching for any opportunity to "fight" each other. These tensions had been built for decades. This game gave them an opportunity to do that without anyone dying.

I don't think this exists in hockey. I think maybe you could see this happen if the Chinese basketball team beat the US in the Olympics. Maybe if you want a hockey equivalent, Ukraine makes the Olympics and beats Russia for gold. Honestly it's hard to find an equivalent.