Trump honors 'Miracle on Ice' team; Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig praise president in return
President Donald Trump honored the United States men's Olympic hockey crew with a bill-signing ceremony at the Oval Office Friday This is very exciting This was one of the greatest moments of U S sports We have a very exciting association of champions behind me Trump explained with numerous members of the gang in attendance This was an amazing event There were selected other upsets in the world I haven't noticed them getting any of these right You're the only ones That's great We're delighted to be joined nowadays by legends of American sports history and heroes for the entire nation the U S Olympic ice hockey crew This was one of the biggest moments I've ever seen in sports and I like sports These are the men who gave us one of the the bulk storied athletic wins of all time CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMThe squad members wore the hats they donned at the opening ceremony and gang captain Mike Eruzione rewarded Trump with a replica More importantly I don't think words can explain how proud we are for what you've done for our squad Eruzione stated The honor you've bestowed upon our organization is incredible Goaltender Jim Craig thanked Trump for the courage you show the country every single day and for making our country safe again The pride we felt in was incredible and we're starting to feel that again thanks to your leadership added Bill Baker My dad he concluded He presumed in the American hockey participant He concluded in his country He loved this band He loved his country I wish he was here but it's an honor to represent him NHL DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DOUBLES DOWN ON OLYMPIC CONCERNS SAYS PLAYERS 'WON'T GO' IF ICE IS DEEMED UNSAFEHerb Brooks' son Dan was also in attendance Trump signed H R which awarded Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the U S Olympic men's ice hockey unit in recognition of the team's achievement at the Winter Olympic Games The squad of amateurs and college players completed the Miracle on Ice in a stunning upset over the Soviets who were considered the favorites and an international powerhouse for years The achievement catapulted the Americans for a chance to win gold which they accomplished by defeating Finland two days later The Soviets had walloped the United States in a pre-Olympic exhibition battle at Madison Square Garden but the Americans got hot at the right time In the battle the Russians famously benched longtime starting goalie Vladislav Tretiak after he allowed a goal with just a second left in the first period that tied the challenge at two The Americans trailed - entering the third but Mark Johnson tied the match midway through the final period Less than two minutes later Eruzione scored what was eventually the game-winning goal and was mobbed on the ice The Miracle on Ice comes from Al Michaels' famous play-by-play call when he rhetorically requested viewers Do you believe in miracles He answered his own question with an emphatic Yes Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter
