Do you believe in miracles? Sports fans know exactly what that question means. Twenty-two years ago Al Michaels made that line famous when he posed it to the audience as time ran out in the USA's impossible second-round win over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic hockey playoffs.
This year, had Canada cooperated and lost to Finland, the Americans' road to the gold would have been identical to our run in Lake Placid. In 1980, the United States played Germany on Wednesday Feb. 20, the USSR on Friday, Feb. 22, and Finland for the gold on Sunday, Feb. 24. Assuming Finland would have beaten Belarus, this year's Olympics would have played out the same as in 1980, on the same dates and on U.S. soil, no less. But, thanks to the Canadians, it was not to be.
There is, however, a silver lining. Should the U.S. beat Russia in what could be one of the most exciting games ever, they will most likely face Canada. Those who can't get up for that epic border war should check their pulses . eh?
The Hull-LeClair-Modano line for team USA. This line has earned 19 points in four games. John LeClair has 6 goals and 1 assist so far, and had one tooth knocked out against Germany. Brett Hull has been playing like he's 21 again, with 3 goals and 4 assists. Mike Modano, of Dallas Star fame has been setting the table for these guys with 5 assists.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. John Gruden may be a good NFL coach, but no coach is worth what the Bucs gave up for him, save the revival of Vince Lombardi himself. They're an older team with a lot of high-priced talent. Within a year or two they'll be in the same salary cap jail that produced the Bills 3-13 record this year. The Bucs giving up two first-round draft picks, two second-round draft picks, and $8 million guarantees them no chance for rebuilding for a very long time.
On campus
Those who have never seen a men's basketball game at UB have only one opportunity left this season. The Bulls play their last home game against Marshall Saturday at 7 p.m. at Alumni Arena.
On television
No true sports fan can miss the rematch of the "Miracle on Ice" game. The Russians and the Americans face off at 6:15 tonight.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
