Miracle on Ice

This dramatization is based on the actual events leading up to the 1980 United

States hockey team's performance at the 13th Olympic Games in Lake Placid.

In some instances, composite characters and

time compression are used for dramatic purposes.

My God, what time is it?

I'll get breakfast.

Relax.

I've got Patrick picking me up.

We'll grab a bite.

Were you up all night?

The truth.

Last chance to decide who to invite to camp.

That was yesterday's excuse.

Can't use the same one twice.

We delayed sending out the invitations until today.

Pat, I've got 68 kids trying out.

I've got a couple of days in camp to decide what 42 I'm going to send home.

And then I've got six and a half months to

put 20 of those kids up against the Russians.

You didn't have to take this job.

What if I make a mess of the whole thing?

I'll still be here.

As always.

Morning, Herb.

What do you say?

Where's the final list?

Some system.

Even if I had 68 of the best kids in the world,

you can't build a team in less than seven months.

No wonder the Russians don't take us seriously.

Hockey's more important to them.

Send them out.

Go ahead.

Send them out.

Mail them out this morning.

And start praying that enough of them will feel like showing up.

Worried?

What, me?

Worried?

Yeah, I'm worried.

Donna, I'm a hockey player.

I need to get noticed.

Okay, so the pros know I'm here.

But they're looking for me to prove that I'm good enough, that I can do the job.

And if Brooks will give me the chance, Donna, I can prove it.

And if I can get there, if I can get to Lake Placid, you'll see.

How long are you gonna wait?

I don't know.

I'll tell you after the mail comes.

Now, don't be upset with your brother.

He tried to get to it first.

Oh, no.

Look, Dad, I'm sorry.

It's not like I was trying to hide it.

It's just that I wanted to wait to hear what the pros might offer.

There'll be time enough to play with the professionals.

It costs money to keep me playing amateur.

A little more won't hurt.

You've spent enough already.

I'll be the judge of that.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

Tell

me.

Slapshot.

I'm watching the play where I got nailed in the corners.

You never give up, do you?

Can't all be naturals.

So did you get one?

Haven't checked yet.

I saved you the trouble.

Congratulations.

We're going to camp together.

Ha-ha!

Well, you're getting better, Pavlich.

You're only an hour late this time.

It's a pick and roll.

We're running.

What did I tell you?

Fishing?

Hey, look, if it's between you and fishing, Harrington, you come in second.

Well?

Well?

Well, what?

Did you get the invitation?

All right!

Here I go!

Hey, baby!

All right!

Well, how does it feel to be going?

It's what I want.

You know that.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

It's still hard to believe that Ma's gone.

It's hard on all of us.

The price.

To you and the family.

It's like it's asking too much.

Well, it isn't really you that's doing the asking, is it?

I mean, it's her.

It's what we promised.

Just do her proud, that's all.

Just do her proud.

Come on.

Let's get you to the plane.

Knock for two.

Dang it.

You did it again, Grazer.

You lost.

I got you with one.

Ouch!

Oh, sorry.

I bet half these guys turn pro before Lake Placid.

Well, can you blame them?

Hey, you still got a year of college left, Silky.

Leave the pros alone for now.

Hey, my family wants me to be a doctor.

But I prefer doing surgery with my stick.

You won't get fired with Brooks that way.

Use your body, not the stick.

Oh, yeah?

Well, that's why he's not coaching in the NHL, pal.

Yeah, well, maybe he doesn't want to.

Yeah, well, that's where the money is.

Hey, you still got other choices, bucko.

Hey, do yourself a favor, Silky.

Finish school.

It'll give you something to fall back on.

Hey, Jimmy.

He now owes me...

$325,000.

Not bad, huh?

Yeah, just put it on the tab, hotshot.

No problem.

Awesome.

Makes me feel important.

Hey, you guys, get over there for a second.

What for?

I want to take a picture.

Oh, come on, Robbie.

Let's stash our gear.

No way.

I promised your dad.

Well, that's your problem.

Come on.

Smile, you guys.

Smile.

Hey,

what's going on, man?

Yeah, three cops.

These guys make me nervous.

Oh, they're all right, Silky.

There was a lot of them in the Moscow tournament.

There's too many of them.

Not enough of us.

Oh, it's a big country, boys.

We gotta make room for some of them.

Like, maybe two.

Man,

I've never seen most of these guys before.

It's okay, Kenny.

They've never seen you before either.

We're Easterners.

They never leave concrete streets.

The gold medal team of 60 was loaded with guys from back East.

Wonderful, Coho.

A history lesson.

That's what we need.

Wow, did you learn that in college, Coho?

Hey, did you see McClanahan's jeans?

I'm not into checking out guys' jeans, Bob.

Yeah, he's got one of those very fancy brands.

Sixty bucks at least.

So what?

He plays good hockey.

Yeah, I know, but what's a rich kid doing playing hockey?

Hiya, Les.

How you feeling?

A little nervous.

A little nervous.

Some of you have had the pleasure of playing on my teams before.

I guess you're all expecting the standard speech.

They look to the right of you, look to the

left of you, and one of you will make the team.

Not this time.

Nope.

This time, the odds are much worse.

I suggest you look two places to the right of you and two places to the left of you.

And maybe none of you will be here.

Now, there are nearly 70 of you here.

And only 20 of you will have the privilege of wearing this country's Olympic colors.

And they will be the best of you.

The best skaters, the bravest, and the ones who believe in themselves and

can trust the other man, and he, in turn, can trust you.

I'm not looking for guys to terminate me.

I'm not looking for guys determined to be winners.

They're a dime a dozen.

I'm looking for guys determined to prepare for the chance at winning.