“For those two weeks, we were the best team in the world.”—Defenseman John “Jack” O’Callahan
The necessary “jolt” that Herb Brooks provided to his team to tie Sweden came in the final moments, when he pulled goaltender Jim Craig to add another player onto the ice. It was imperative that the United States, down 2-1, score within the final seconds against Sweden or they would have had difficulty advancing out of this Olympic pool. After playing better over the next two periods and with the Americans on the brink of losing, defenseman Bill Baker scored his only point of the games, evening the score at 2-2. It was one of the most vital goals of the tournament and allowed the United States to stay in contention for a medal.
During his younger years, Baker played for the Grand Rapids Indians, attended the University of Minnesota, and was drafted with the 54th pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976. Baker scored the biggest goal of his life and kept America alive against talented European teams. He was a winner, earning a high school state title, a championship under Brooks at the University of Minnesota, and a gold medal at Lake Placid. For about four years, Baker played in 143 National Hockey League games with the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. This All-American and member of the Olympic and National Hockey Halls of Fame later attended dentistry school, becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
On the American way to a 7-3 victory over Czechoslovakia, four Americans scored goals against the second-best team in the tournament. The nation saw the “blunt” look of Brooks on the sidelines when his finest player, Mark Johnson, was speared in the shoulder. With a glaring look, Brooks supported his team by threatening to “bury that goddamn stick in your throat” in response to the cheap shot. It was a clear dirty play that accomplished two important objectives. First, the players were angered by the injury to their teammate, displaying no sense of regionalism within the unified American squad. Secondly, although players often expressed frustration with Brooks’ tactics, years later they understood that he would fight for them against the opposition.
This biography presented the dire need for Americans living under Cold War tensions to rally behind a determined coach and his team against communist rivals. The game against the Czechs highlighted differences that often hurt the younger American squad, which faced seven Czech players from the 1976 Olympic team with an average age of 26, some as old as 32. One of the main themes of the production was that the United States, until facing Finland, was not expected to defeat the clearly superior foreign teams.
Facing highly touted Czechoslovakia, America was ranked only seventh and achieved a decisive victory through the strong play of Buzz Schneider. He had played for Brooks in college and believed he was the most prepared figure ever to lead him. Schneider was also a member of the U.S. National Team in 1974, the 1976 Olympic squad, and later joined the International Hockey League in 1978. In the film “Miracle,” Schneider’s son Billy portrayed him as one of the key players on the team. At 26, Schneider was one of the older members of the 1980 squad and, unlike several teammates who played professionally in North America, he signed with a Swiss organization.
Al Michaels stated in “Miracle: The Boys of ’80” that Americans went from burning the flag during the tumultuous 1970s to proudly waving it at Lake Placid. The Brooklyn-born broadcaster, heard nationally since the late 1960s, gained early experience calling baseball games for the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. The directors included many of Michaels’ recollections of Brooks, the team’s inner workings, and the prevailing belief that the United States would never win gold.
Five-time gold medalist Eric Heiden drew enormous attention during the Games, yet he became a fan of the hockey team and closely followed its success. Americans increasingly embraced the Olympic “darlings” who thrived under Brooks’ direction. Another key figure chronicled in this special was the physical presence of defenseman O’Callahan. The biography explored the blue-collar background of O’Callahan and his family. Growing up in Charlestown, Massachusetts, he was a tough competitor who did not shy away from fights and lived in a community of police officers, firefighters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and even gangsters.
At 6’2”, O’Callahan was a fierce competitor who proudly reflected on footage of his father and family cheering the 1980 team’s victory. He was both a key player and spokesperson, never afraid to voice his feelings. At times, the hard-nosed defenseman became emotional while watching game footage and family interviews in the documentary. Injured during the first two games against Sweden and Czechoslovakia, O’Callahan hated being sidelined.
Success followed O’Callahan throughout his career. An All-American at Boston University, captain of the school’s 1978 national championship team, and a most valuable player, he was among its most accomplished student-athletes. Although injured early in the Olympics, he played a pivotal role in supporting Craig against the offensive strength of European teams. The documentary featured a young O’Callahan stating that he “would have passed up a million dollars to play for his country — it is the greatest feeling you will ever have.”
Recently, freestyle halfpipe skier Hunter Hess stated he was not competing for America, but for his family and friends. That view contrasts sharply with the 1980 hockey team of young college players eager to represent their nation and achieve a monumental victory. O’Callahan later played several seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils.
Next week will be the final installment on the 1980 American hockey team’s pursuit of a gold medal.