Empty Netters Podcast: "Miracle The Boys Of '80 Review" w/ Mike Lupica

Release Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Almost Friday Media (Dan & Mike)
Guest: Mike Lupica
Theme: A deep dive into the new "Miracle" documentary, the 1980 US Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, and the enduring legacy of the ‘Miracle on Ice’—with firsthand stories from legendary sportswriter Mike Lupica, who covered every game in Lake Placid.

Episode Overview

This episode is a passionate review and reflection on the latest documentary about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team, featuring the insight and vivid storytelling of Mike Lupica. Lupica, who was present for every game in Lake Placid, walks listeners through what made the "Miracle on Ice" not just the greatest moment in sports history, but a touchstone in American culture and personal memory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Living Through the Miracle (00:30–05:41)

• Greatest Event Ever?
  Lupica immediately affirms this was the most extraordinary sporting event he’s covered:

  "This question-answer has not changed since Lake Placid in 1980... I knew that night that nothing was ever going to approach that game." — Mike Lupica (01:38)

• Atmosphere in the Arena:
  The game took place in a small, now-iconic 8,000-seat venue, but felt like the entire country was inside:

  "It sounds like what people want you to believe now, which was that there were 800,000 people there instead of just 8,000." — Mike Lupica (03:16)
  The noise level is described as something sports "can’t actually make," a unique and overwhelming sound at the moment of victory.

The Soviet Juggernaut and the Odds (05:41–09:44)

• The hosts discuss the context: The Soviets hadn’t lost Olympic gold since 1960; the US had just been demolished 10–3 by the Soviets in an exhibition.
• Lupica highlights the US team’s transformation, noting how an early tournament tie against Sweden and an upset win over Czechoslovakia gradually built belief in the impossible.

Anatomy of the Upset & Key Game Moments (09:44–17:05)

The Build-Up

• The US beat Czechoslovakia ("stuffed them in a locker"), then started believing just maybe, as sports always leaves a little hope for the best story.

The Game Dynamics

• Score Drama:
  Mark Johnson’s goal with one second left in the 1st period ("the spark was really lit") is highlighted as pivotal and often overlooked:

  "If that doesn’t happen, they don’t win this game." — Dan (14:07)

• Tretiak Benching:
  Lupica notes how shocking Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov’s decision was to bench goalie Vladislav Tretiak after Johnson’s goal:

  "We just put the best goalie in the world on the bench." — Mike Lupica (12:16)

• Jim Craig’s Heroics:
  Craig “stood on his head” for the closing minutes; the hosts and Lupica all marvel at his legendary third period.

"Miracle" in Memory & Media (17:05–23:46)

• The 1980 US run became the main event of the otherwise-chaotic, poorly-run Lake Placid Olympics.
• Tangible, emotional recollections:
  • Street scenes in Lake Placid after the Soviet win: Americans celebrating, singing, letting the moment stretch out (“nobody wanted the night to end”).
  • Waiting for news to break in a pre-internet era, and stories of how the result spread across the US.

Finland Finale & Narrow Escape (23:46–32:16)

• The US nearly fell apart against Finland in the final, trailing entering the 3rd period.
• Lupica recalls the dread, the infamous "you’ll take it to your grave" speech from coach Herb Brooks (29:18), and the players’ own growing confidence ("Coach, we got this").
• The tension: "We need to go down there and talk to them because they’re about to screw up the greatest story of all time." — Mike Lupica (31:07)

The Weight of History & Legacy (32:16–43:48)

• Lupica describes the game’s uniquely prolonged tension: "Those ten minutes felt like they took ten years."
• The hosts compare the ‘Miracle’ to other iconic sports moments, confirming with Lupica that nothing compares, even Red Sox 2004 is just second place.
• Discussion of Al Michaels’ legendary “Do you believe in miracles?” broadcast call and Ken Dryden’s role in the booth:

  "He’s like doing play by play, still talking... [Al] kind of screams it because he’s like, Ken, shut the fuck up." — Dan (38:34)

• The importance of the 1980 event’s authenticity: "Miracle" the movie follows history so closely it’s more unbelievable than fiction.

The New Documentary: Emotional Impact & Revelations (43:48–48:41)

• The new doc’s innovations:
  • Placing original team members in the arena, watching and reflecting together:

    "You saw in these faces of men now in their 60s... them becoming the little boys who had... taken them to the rink at 5:30 in the morning. They became those kids again last night." — Mike Lupica (49:58)

  • Never-seen footage and audio: e.g., Herb Brooks’ real voice, McClanahan’s injury, locker room moments.
  • Family stories, like Aruzioni’s upbringing and Jimmy Craig on his parents, move Lupica deeply.
• The enduring role of the "Miracle" movie, with details like the stick-tapping on telegrams, the bench sequences, and an authentic recreation of the hockey.

Herb Brooks & Coaching Genius (48:41–56:54)

• Herb Brooks’ role is universally agreed as the greatest single coaching job in sports:

  "Faith is believing what you cannot see. Only he could see this." — Mike Lupica (40:32)

• Lupica wishes we could have had more of Brooks’ own direct reflection, but emphasizes how his influence lives on in the team, his children (featured in the documentary), and in the “Miracle” film itself.
• The pregame speech ("Great moments are born of great opportunity") and the actual note card—unearthed in the doc—are discussed reverently.

Personal Stories & Lesser-Known Gems (59:01–60:53)

• The podcast uncovers lesser-told aspects, like backup goalie Steve Janaszak meeting his wife during the tournament:

  "The greatest thing that happened in my life wasn’t us winning a gold medal. I got my wife." — Mike Lupica, paraphrasing Steve Janaszak (59:38, 60:10)

• Lupica’s own family connections to the event and the movie, including his non-hockey-fan daughter now loving "Miracle."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Sports made a sound that night that it actually can't make." — Mike Lupica (05:05)
• "If that puck is a foot to the left or right...I'm painting bridges for a living." — Mike Aruzione, relayed by Lupica (19:16)
• "That team and those two weeks, that's like a bank account that I'll be able to draw on forever." — Mike Lupica (33:07)
• "He stood on his head and even at the end, in those last couple of minutes...they're coming at him with everything except Russian tanks." — Mike Lupica on Jim Craig (13:07)
• "If you don't want to now go see [the documentary], then you need to go bowling or something." — Mike Lupica (56:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30–05:41 — Lupica’s firsthand account of the Miracle and the inimitable arena atmosphere
• 09:44–14:54 — Breakdown of the USA–USSR game’s turning points and Mark Johnson’s pivotal goal
• 17:05–23:46 — Life in Lake Placid outside hockey; how the story spread across the US
• 23:46–32:16 — Dread and euphoria of the Finland gold medal game; "you’ll take it to your grave"
• 32:16–43:48 — Legacy, broadcast lore, and comparing "Miracle" to history and other sports moments
• 43:48–48:41 — Impact of the new documentary: new footage, emotional responses, and family stories
• 48:41–56:54 — Analysis of Herb Brooks, the pregame speech, and coaching legacy
• 59:01–60:53 — Personal tales: Steve Janaszak’s love story, Lupica’s family, and what makes these moments eternal

Tone & Style

The episode is richly nostalgic, humorously self-effacing, and at times surprisingly emotional. All three speakers blend puckhead banter with reverence, giving listeners both an inside look at iconic hockey history and an invitation to rediscover the “Miracle” as a living story.

If you love hockey, American sports history, or just incredible underdog tales, this is an essential listen—filled with firsthand remembrance, thoughtful critique of hockey storytelling, and plenty of moments that’ll make you want to queue up "Miracle" all over again.