Feb. 25, 1960 – Squaw Valley, CA – Before the game, the Canadians anticipated a dominant win. The Americans had beaten them for the first time 4 years earlier, and Canada had revenge on its mind. But it wasn’t to be. A first period rebound goal by Bob Cleary and a second period slapshot by Paulie Johnson were all the scoring that the Americans needed to edge Canada 2-1.

Off a slapshot from John Mayasich, Cleary netted the first goal on a rebound, sneaking the puck past Canada’s Don Head as he was being checked from behind. Johnson’s goal would become the stuff of legend as he stole the puck from the Canadians leading to a breakaway. Instead of taking it in on goal, Johnson unloaded from just past the blueline, shocking an unprepared Head and making the tally 2-0.

Of course, holding Canada to one goal was no small feat, and of Jack McCartan’s performance in the net, his coach, Jack Riley, said “no goalie ever played as well as McCartan played that night.” The outstanding performance included 39 saves, most of which came in defense of the lead, as the Canadians controlled the game in every way but the score over the final two periods, outshooting the Americans 31-10 to close the game.

The victory put the US in control of their own medal destiny, with games against the USSR and Czechoslovakia standing between them and the USA’s first gold medal in ice hockey.

Box Score
USA vs Canada | February 25, 1960

Scoring

Goalie Saves

Feb. 6, 1960 – Colorado Springs, CO – In the second of back to back games versus Denver University, the US manages a 5-5 tie. New team members Bill and Bob Cleary joined the team on the ice. During warmups their new teammates refuse to pass them the puck, giving them the cold shoulder to show their displeasure for the cutting of former teammates Herb Brooks, Larry Alm and Bob DuPuis. With the tie, the US has a record of 9 wins, 4 loses and 3 ties heading into their final tuneup against the Czechs in Los Angeles.

Feb. 5, 1960 – Colorado Springs, CO – The US Olympic hockey team loses 7-5 to Denver University. Bill and Bob Cleary join the team and Larry Alm, Bob DuPuis and Herb Brooks are cut from the team to make room. Some of the US players threaten to leave the team in protest to the last minute cuts. Coach Riley tells general manager Jim Claypool to “find our where they want to go, get them their plane tickets and get them out of here.” Claypool and captain Jack Kirrane convince the disgruntled players to stay or they’ll “never play for another US amateur team for the rest of their days.” The players agree to stay.