An aspect of the "Miracle On Ice" that I'd never thought of before:

[Aristus]

Even though I still tear up a bit at the memory of it, now I wonder what the players thought of all the 'miracle' talk. There was nothing really miraculous about it. They were talented athletes who just, simply played their hearts out.

[In_The_Wind]

1. hmmm

I don't watch hockey.

[Aristus]

2. Me neither.

But my Dad made us watch it. And then he took us to church to 'give thanks'.

My Dad wasn't a rabid John Bircher or anything. Politically, he was mostly a left-leaning centrist. But he was as vocally anti-Communist as anyone else back then...

[In_The_Wind]

5. It's just too violent for me. Teeth flying, blood, ouches everywhere!

I wasn't even thinking politics.

[Aristus]

6. Too violent for me, too.

That's why I just watched it that one time (although I watched the game with Finland, too.)

I guess all this snow and ice we're dealing with here made me think of the 'Miracle'.

I don't go for full-contact sports. They've become an excuse for pointless brutality, devoid of any pretense to skill, grace, or athleticism.

[Ryano42]

3. Herb Brooks emulated the Soviet Style of Play

Then made sure his team was well conditioned to stay with them all game long.

The Soviets had the most talented players, in an advanced system but they never took Team USA seriously at all especially after trouncing them 10-3 two weeks before in New York.

Many of the Soviet players said they could not believe how fast the USA's "kids" were.

As far as levels though it was a miracle. Like a college football team beating a multiple Super Bowl champion.

And there was also Jim Craig; for 2 weeks was the best goalie in the world:

[KamaAina]

4. They still had to beat Finland to win the gold

Finland actually took the lead. We needed a shorthanded goal to get back into it!

[Ryano42]

7. Team USA Trailed in EVERY Game

Talk about never giving up!

[Aristus]

8. That's true.

But given the Cold War mentality of the times, the defeat of the Soviets is what most people remember.

[The2ndWheel]

9. Well, "Really well played game on ice" doesn't quite grab you the same way

I would doubt the players care what it's called. All they know is that they were a part of something really special as a team.

"Miracle On Ice" is short and sweet. It conveys what needs to be said. Start throwing more and more words into it, and something gets lost. "Talented athletes who just simply played their hearts out on ice!" becomes generic. That's any game. You say that sentence instead of "Miracle On Ice", and nobody knows which game you're talking about. Even "Upset On Ice" doesn't do that game justice.