Team USA's victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics - widely known as the Miracle On Ice - is more than just the greatest moment in American hockey. Many believe it stands as greatest moment in sports history.

During two incredible weeks in February 1980, 20 college kids headed to Lake Placid, New York coached by one of the greatest motivators and taskmasters of all-time, Herb Brooks. During those two weeks they gave a discouraged America-a country unnerved by the plight of 52 hostages held by Iran-a renewed sense of pride in our country. Nothing matches the excitement, emotion and pride generated by the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team's "Miracle on Ice" at those winter games.

Of all the goals scored and the excitement generated, one of the most lasting images of the euphoric celebration of the American players after they defeated Finland to capture the Gold Medal was that of goalie Jim Craig draped in the Stars and Stripes searching the crowd for his father.

"You were born to be hockey players," U.S. coach Herb Brooks told his team before the semifinal game against the former Soviet Union. "You were meant to be here. This moment is yours." The Soviet Union had won eight of the previous nine Olympic Gold Medals.

But beating the Russians was only one step. On Feb. 24, Finland stood between the United States and its first hockey gold medal since the 1960 Olympics. "Basically, he walked in and told us after the Soviet game that if we lost to Finland, we would take it to our grave," said backup goalie Steve Janaszak, the only American who did not play at Lake Placid, N.Y. "There was incredible apprehension before this game. We were horrified by the thought that we'd be sitting around 10 years later and wondering how we could lose the gold medal after coming so close. Essentially, we were afraid to lose."

The United States was losing 2-1 entering the final period. Three unanswered goals later, the fans were singing "God Bless America" and waving flags. The Soviet Union's streak of four consecutive gold medals had been stopped, and Finland had been vanquished giving the U.S. the Gold Medal.

Walt Disney adapted the story of the "Miracle on Ice" into a feature length film, titled Miracle, which was released in February 2004. The film stars Kurt Russell as legendary Olympic head coach Herb Brooks, and Hollywood up-and-comer Eddie Cahill as Jim Craig.

This excitement was revisited at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah where Jim Craig, along with his Miracle On Ice Teammates, lit the cauldron to begin the 19th Winter Olympic Games. The team produced its share of NHL players, including Neal Broten and Ken Morrow. Morrow went on to win three Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders, and Broten hoisted the Cup with the New Jersey Devils.