"Do you believe in miracles?"

Earlier this week I told you about Al Michaels getting arrested for DUI. As always he was classy about it and I expect a commensurate punishment. Not because of his celebrity status, but because of his demeanor.

It was a pure coincidence that Stars had Miracle scheduled for this weekend that features his historic play by play call. It's the theatrical version starring Kurt Russell as Coach Herb Brooks (there was an ABC Movie of the Week starring Karl Malden) of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team and their underdog victory against the USSR. Not many people remember that it was not the Gold medal game, but an elimination round.

It didn't matter.

That was such an iconic moment for our country. We were going thru a very rough patch with the economy and the Iran hostage crisis, gas shortages and the Soviets invading Afghanistan. But a simple game of hockey would forever change our national morale. The chant of "USA, USA, USA!" started there and will forever be heard in times of victory.

They were a bunch of kids thrown together to play a kid's game on ice against hardened professionals who'd trained together for 10 years. David vs Goliath. Great moments are born with great opportunity.

Sometimes miracles do happen.


I also was pleasantly surprised to notice Noah Emmerich as Assistant Coach Craig Patrick. He's currently playing FBI Special Agent Stan Beeman on The Americans. I knew I recognized him from somewhere.

If you haven't seen Miracle, I highly recommend it. If you have seen it, I highly recommend watching it again. This is simply a great story and a great performance by an ensemble cast. The best part is it's a true story.

I love this film and I don't even like hockey. But that's not the point. Watch it and you'll understand. I challenge you not get choked up. It was a lot more than a hockey game.