Photo (c) Bill Briner, used by permission
Join along in our 1960 Winter Games historical trivia series. Each day is an anniversary celebration with historical look backs and a chance to win an Adult Midweek 2020-2021 Ticket to Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and an entry into the Grand Prize of a 3-Night Stay at a Resort of Your Choice. Plus, Grand Pacific Resorts is making a $10 donation in your name to The SNOW Sports Museum as a commitment to preserving the legacy of the valley.
1960 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team: The First Miracle On Ice
Nobody expected much from the U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey team at the Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley 1960, especially given that the team was comprised of a few minor league players along with an insurance salesman, a couple of carpenters, and a fireman.
Despite support from a fervent home fan base, not many believed the American underdogs had any real chance of winning, especially when squaring up against hockey giants like the USSR, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, and Canada.
However, in front of a packed crowd inside Blyth Arena and with millions more watching on TV, the U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team proved everybody wrong.
The U.S. beat Russia in the semifinals before facing off against Czechoslovakia in the finals. They were trailing 4-3 entering the third period and they were clearly fatigued. However, the U.S. team rallied and pulled off a stunning 9-4 last-minute victory.
In one of the biggest surprise upsets in hockey history, the 1960 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team won its first-ever gold medal and became hockey legends.
Know more 1960 Olympics Trivia? Click below for the chance to win:
Join Us on Social Media
As part of our 2020 goals, we will be increasing our communication to everyone as we have more stories to share and projects in the works. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see our weekly posts about iconic Tahoe athletes and the historical artifacts we have collected for the museum.
Thank you from the S.N.O.W. Museum Team!
The S.N.O.W. Sports Museum (dba Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The Foundation mission and objectives are to build a world class museum to offer cultural, historical and educational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, especially youth. All purchases and donations support these efforts. Rights Reserved, Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation.
