Feb. 27, 1960 – Squaw Valley, CA – Before a national television audience and a crowd of 10,000 spectators filling the 8,500-seat Blyth Arena, the United States shocked the favored USSR hockey team 3-2. Continuing a tradition of a different game, a different hero, US forward Bill Christian netted his only two goals of the medal round to lead the US back from a 2-1 deficit. It was the first time in 10 international games that the United States had beaten the USSR.

Early in the first period, Bill Cleary put the US ahead 1-0, bringing the crowd to its feet. But, the Soviets answered less than a minute later, and added a second goal in the first period to take a 2-1 advantage. It was in the second period that Bill Christian took a pass from his brother Roger and beat Soviet goalie Nikolai Puchkov on a one-on-one. With half of the game yet to play, both goalies kept the puck out of the net until 5 minutes remained in the game. That’s when Bill Christian found a loose puck in front of Puchkov and batted it between his legs. The goal gave the Americans a 3-2 lead with only minutes to play.

The USSR pressed hard in the last few minutes, but goalie Jack McCartan was stellar, as he had been all tournament. The raucous crowd counted down the final 10 seconds as the United States players killed the final 6 on 5 Soviet attack. The team rushed to center ice to celebrate their second improbable win in three days. The victory gave the US a 4-0 record in the medal round, with one game the following morning against Czechoslovakia to decide the gold medal.

Box Score
USA vs USSR | February 27, 1960

Scoring

Goalie Saves

Feb. 22, 1960 – Squaw Valley, CA – The USA starts medal round play with a 6-3 win over Sweden. Roger Christian nets a hat trick and goalie Jack McCartan continues his stellar play with 36 saves. Christian’s first goal came 3:26 into the game and the US added three more first period goals to take a 4-0 lead into the intermission. They would be outshot 28-19 in the final two periods, but thanks to McCartan the lead was never in jeopardy. The win puts the US at 1-0 in the championship round robin, with games yet to play against Germany, Canada, USSR and Czechoslovakia.

Box Score
USA vs Sweden | February 22, 1960

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Goalie Saves

Feb. 21, 1960 – Squaw Valley, CA – In a game that probably could’ve been even more lopsided, the US defeats Australia 12-1 to win Pool A and secure a spot in the championship round. They join Pool B winner Canada, Pool C winner USSR and second place finishers, Sweden, Germany and Czechoslovakia in the championship round. Australia’s team was comprised mainly of former Canadians. It would be their only Olympic ice hockey appearance after being eliminated in two games. For the USA, nine players would score a goal, and goalie Jack McCartan would only need 9 saves to seal their advancement.

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USA vs Australia | February 21 1960

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Goalie Saves

Bill Cleary plays ping pong with Alexandrov from Forgotten Miracle on Vimeo.

Feb. 19, 1960 – Squaw Valley, CA – John Mayasich scored 3 unassisted goals in a 7-5 comeback win over Czechoslovakia. Mayasich, in his first action with his new teammates, helped the USA overcome a 4-3 deficit in the final period. It was the third time the USA had played Czechoslovakia in just over a week. In every game, the USA had trailed midway through the contest. The trend would foreshadow the eventual final game vs Czechoslovakia on February 28.

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USA vs Czechoslovakia | February 19, 1960

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Goalie Saves

“Twenty years before the “Miracle on Ice,” nine Minnesota hockey players found similar glory, and an inextricable tie to the sport. The saga of Minnesotans on the 1960 U.S. Olympic hockey team reads like the 35-cent novels so popular in that era…..”

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