Do you believe in miracles?” is one of if not the most famous sports calls of all time, when the amateur US men’s hockey team beat the Soviets, aka the Red Army, in 1980. When, 46 years to the day, the US men’s hockey team once again achieves the unexpected — gold, against powerhouse Canada no less — it’s hard not to answer Al Michaels’ question with an enthusiastic “Yes!”
There were so many storylines to this victory —
• Coming on the heels of the women’s team winning gold, also in overtime, also against Canada!
The two sets of brothers, Tkachuk and Hughes. Boston Globe sports writer Kevin Paul Dupont put it up perfectly on X:
“The Tkachuck bros are the neighborhood kids who use your pool without invite when you’re away for vaca. The Hughes bros are the neighborhood kids who mow your lawn without you asking.”
Polar opposite pairs when it comes to personality — but perfect matches for team makeup.
• Family by blood — and family by hockey.
The honoring of Johnny Gaudreau, a Team USA member who was tragically killed, alongside his brother, two years ago. In the post-win celebration, the team skated holding his sweater aloft. Later, during the team picture, two players went to the stands to retrieve Johnny’s two young children, who are now forever part of this victory.
• Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson, whose uncle was part of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Squad, and whose grandfather was part of the 1960 squad — the onlyother times USA has won gold.
• And, of course, the Jewish angle!
Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, a former hockey player who was part of the coaching staff for the gold-medal winning women’s team at Cortina — and the mother of quarter final golden goal shooter Quinn Hughes and golden goal gold-medal game shooter Jack Hughes.
In his immediate post-victory interview, Jack Hughes’ heartfelt message resonated so strongly. “I love the USA. I love my teammates. I’m so proud to be American today . . . it was a gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there. We’re so proud to win for our country.”
The celebration that took over the arena, the internet and everywhere in this country throughout the day, was a powerful reminder of our communal sense of spirit, which has been trashed in the political sphere.
“V’nahafoch hu,” turned on its head — that’s the story of Purim. What’s expected or decreed doesn’t come to pass.
Sorry Canada. The hockey gods celebrated Purim a little early this year.
Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com
© IJN 2026
