Which nation won men's ice hockey gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics?

Which nation won men's ice hockey gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics? The answer is the United States.

The United States won the men's ice hockey gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The team was made up primarily of amateur and collegiate players, while the Soviet Union entered with a veteran squad widely regarded as the world's strongest. The American victory became known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

In the medal-round semifinal, the United States defeated the Soviet Union 4–3 on February 22, 1980. That result was dramatic, but it did not by itself guarantee the gold medal. The United States still had to play Finland in its final medal-round game and won 4–2, officially securing first place.

The Soviet Union earned silver after defeating Sweden, while Sweden took bronze. The American team was coached by Herb Brooks, and its players included captain Mike Eruzione and goaltender Jim Craig. The victory is often remembered as a single upset, but the gold medal depended on the United States also beating Finland.