Miracle on Ice: How a Stunning Upset United a Country

Miracle on Ice: How a Stunning Upset United a Country — page 5
going to advance through the Olympics The team also needed the gutsy goalie Jim Craig Filled with confidence Craig was known for his quick glove hand and his constant chatter during a game Teammates tried to ignore a lot of what he said especially if he was criticizing their play Craig had allowed an average of only 2 37 goals per game in the 48 games he played for Team USA before the Olympics Craig played well in Team USA’s first game of the 1980 Olympics on February 12 giving up only two goals against Sweden His teammates though struggled offensively and with only a minute to play the Americans were in danger of losing the game 2-1 To add extra offense Coach Brooks pulled Craig from the net and added a sixth attacker As the clock wound down Buzz Schneider the only player returning from the 1976 Olympic team passed to defenseman Bill Baker and his slap shot from just inside Sweden’s blue line found the net Since the teams did not play overtime in the round-robin games Team USA earned a tie and a point in the standings