Short answers, pulled from the story.
The United States Olympic hockey team that arrived in Lake Placid in 1980 had an average age of just 21 years. This team consisted of college players who were the youngest in the history of the program.
Herb Brooks selected players through a grueling process that included a 300-question psychological test designed to reveal how each player would react under extreme stress. He forced 68 players to take the test and automatically cut anyone who refused to participate.
The game took place on the 22nd of February 1980 during the medal round of the men's ice hockey tournament. The Soviet Union had won four consecutive gold medals prior to this event.
Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov pulled his star goaltender Vladislav Tretiak and replaced him with Vladimir Myshkin during the second period. Tikhonov later called this the biggest mistake of his career because Myshkin could not hold off the American attack.
The game ended with a 4-3 victory for the United States after the Americans managed to clear the zone with seven seconds remaining. The team went on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland 4-2 in their final game.
The team was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on the 12th of December 2025 by President Donald Trump. The victory was named the top sports moment of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated.