Miracle

Herb Brooks:
Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.

Herb Brooks:
That look like hockey to you?

Herb Brooks:
To me it looks like two monkeys trying to hump a football.

Herb Brooks:
Red line, back. Blue line, back. Far blue line, back. Far red line, back. And you have 45 seconds to do it. Get used to this drill. You'll be doing it *a lot*. Why? Because the legs feed the wolf, gentlemen. I can't promise you we'll be the best team at Lake Placid next February. But we will be the best conditioned. That I can promise you.

Al Michaels:
Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES!

Bill Baker:
These guys ever smile?

Jack O'Callahan:
They're Russians. They get shot if they smile.

Herb Brooks:
When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back.

Craig Patrick:
You're missing the best players.

Herb Brooks:
I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm lookin' for the right ones.

Herb Brooks:
Take a look at this.

Craig Patrick:
What's this?

Herb Brooks:
Twenty-six names.

Herb Brooks:
The tough part will be getting it down to twenty before the opening ceremonies.

Craig Patrick:
This is the final roster? You're kidding me, right? This is our first day, Herb. We've got a week of this. What about the advisory staff? Aren't they supposed to have a say in this?

Herb Brooks:
Not technically.

Craig Patrick:
You're missing some of the best players.

Herb Brooks:
I'm not looking for the best players, Craig. I'm looking for the right ones.

Craig Patrick:
You have Jim Craig to back up Janisack?

Herb Brooks:
Other way around.

Craig Patrick:
Other way around? I'm sorry didn't Janisack just win you a national championship?

Herb Brooks:
Janny is a solid goal tender, but we're not playing for the national championship here, Craig.

Craig Patrick:
You know people I speak to say that Craig's game has been off since his mom died.

Herb Brooks:
They ever see him when his game's on?

Herb Brooks:
You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone.

Mike Eruzione:
Mike Eruzione! Winthrop, Massachusettes!

Herb Brooks:
Who do you play for?

Mike Eruzione:
I play for the United States of America!

Herb Brooks:
Vladislav Tretiak; if you score on him, keep the puck because it does not happen often.

Jack O'Callahan:
Cox, why do you want to play college hockey?

Cox:
Isn't it obvious? For the girls.

Jim Craig:
Is this because I didn't take your test, fine I'll take your test.

Herb Brooks:
I want to see that kid at the net who wouldn't take the test.

Jim Craig:
Wait a second... I've given you all I've got, now you're pulling the plug on me?

Herb Brooks:
Have you? Given me your very best? Because I know there's a lot more in you, a whole other level that for some reason you just don't want to go to. Aw, hell, you don't understand what the hell I'm talking about.

Jim Craig:
No... you know what I don't understand, Herb? I don't understand you, nobody on this team understands you. You, with your ridiculous sayings, and your drills, and those stupid pyschology tests you had everybody take...

Herb Brooks:
Everybody?

Jim Craig:
What, so this is what this is about? Because I wouldn't take your test? Fine you want me to take your test, I'll take your test, is that what you want?

Herb Brooks:
No. I wanna see the the kid in the net who woldn't take the test.

Jim Craig:
Wait a second, I've given you all I've got, and now you're pulling the plug on me?

Herb Brooks:
Have you? Given me your very best? Because I know there's a lot more in you, a whole other level, that for some reason you just don't want to go to!... Aww, what the hell, you don't understand what the hell I'm talking about.

Jim Craig:
No... you know what I understand, Herb? I don't understand you, nobody on this team understands you. You, with your ridiculous sayings, and your drills, and those stupid psychology tests that you had everybody take-

Herb Brooks:
Everybody?

Jim Craig:
What, so this is what this is all about? Because I didn't take your test? Fine, you want me to take your test, I'll take your test. Is that what you want?

Herb Brooks:
No. I wanna see the kid in the net who wouldn't take the test.

Herb Brooks:
If we play 'em 10 times, they might win nine. But NOT this game.

Cox:
I'm Ralph Cox... I'm from wherever won't get me hit.

Herb Brooks:
So, why don't we start with some introductions. YOu know, get to know eacother a little bit. Where you from. Who you are.

Herb Brooks:
Go ahead.

Rob McClanahan:
Rob McClanahan. St. Paul Minnesota.

Herb Brooks:
Who do you play for?

Rob McClanahan:
I play for you. Here at the U.

Herb Brooks:
Jack?

Jack O'Callahan:
Jack O'Callahan. Charlestown, Mass. Boston University.

Herb Brooks:
Over here.

Cox:
I'm Ralph Cox. I'm from where ever's not gunna get me hit!

Herb Brooks:
McClanahan, what are you doing? Put your gear back on.

Rob McClanahan:
But Doc said...

Herb Brooks:
I don't care what the Doc said, you're playing. I don't have time for quitters.

Rob McClanahan:
You want me to play, huh? Is that what you want?

Herb Brooks:
I WANT YOU TO BE A HOCKEY PLAYER!

Rob McClanahan:
I AM A HOCKEY PLAYER! You want me to play with one leg?

Herb Brooks:
What the hell is wrong with you? Put your gear on.

Herb Brooks:
I said put your gear on!

Rob McClanahan:
But Doc said I can't play

Herb Brooks:
Yeah, yeah, I know you got a bad bruise. You know what, put your street clothes on because I got no time for quitters.

Mike Eruzione:
Come on Herb! No body is quittin here!

Herb Brooks:
You worry about your own game. There's plenty there to keep you busy!

Herb Brooks:
If we play them ten times, they'll probably win nine. But not tonight. Tonight is our time.

Herb Brooks:
We start becoming a team right now!

Herb Brooks:
Tonight, *we* are the greatest hockey team in the world.

Herb Brooks:
This is your time! Now go out there and take it!

Doc:
Ah, so much hate and fear.

Craig Patrick:
What?

Doc:
Between the Soviets and the West. All these nuclear weapons pointed at each other. It's bound to end up in disaster.

Craig Patrick:
Aw come on, Doc, they'll work it out. They don't have any other choice right?

Doc:
I hope so, but it just seems to me like some people just never get along.

Craig Patrick:
Like hockey players from Boston and Minnesota.

Doc:
Our own private Cold War.

Craig Patrick:
Hey, Doc, let me ask you a question.

Doc:
Well, of course.

Craig Patrick:
You've worked with Herb for a long time, right?

Doc:
I've known Herb for quite some time.

Craig Patrick:
So let me ask you, does he always treat his players like this?

Doc:
No... no, this I have never seen. No - but Craig, Herb has a reason for everything he does.

Craig Patrick:
Well, he's gonna end up with 20 players who hate his guts.

Doc:
Well, maybe if they hate him they won't have time to hate each other.

Herb Brooks:
I'm thinking about sitting you down Jim.

Jim Craig:
What? Wait what are you talking about?

Herb Brooks:
No, it's not your fault. I played you way too much, and you're too tired. Besides that, I think it's time I give Janny a look. He's been waiting for seven months.

Jim Craig:
YOu're kidding me? Now?

Herb Brooks:
Of course I mean now!

Jim Craig:
That's my net man. You can't do that!

Herb Brooks:
They just scored ten goals Jim. Right now it's everybody's net.

Herb Brooks:
Come on in boys.

John 'Bah' Harrington:
You wanted to see us, Coach.

Herb Brooks:
I'm thinking about keeping the three of you together on the same line. Everyone ok with that?

Buzz Schneider:
Yeah.

John 'Bah' Harrington:
Sure.

Mark Pavelich:
Sure.

Herb Brooks:
How 'bout you, Buzzy? You think this works with Bah and Pav here?

Buzz Schneider:
Yeah. It's going good. We're moving the puck well. It's just a little different plaing with them, you know?

John 'Bah' Harrington:
Yeah. I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen.

Mark Pavelich:
Yeah. Pass, shoot, score.

John 'Bah' Harrington:
Pass, shoot...

Buzz Schneider:
And score.

Herb Brooks:
1. Again.

Jack O'Callahan:
This is crazy, Herb. Bringing him in this late.

Rob McClanahan:
We've got parents buying tickets. Getting rooms. What are we supposed to tell them? And with one of us going home as it is...

Herb Brooks:
I guess I don't have to ask where you stand on this do I, Rizzo?

Rob McClanahan:
This wasn't Rizzo's idea.

Mike Eruzione:
You want me to say "I'm scared of getting cut?" I'm scared of getting cut. Everyone is.

Jack O'Callahan:
We just want it to be fair, Herb.

Herb Brooks:
Don't try to tell me whats fair. He was right back there with us in Colorado.

Mike Eruzione:
That was six months ago!

Herb Brooks:
And you don't think he's been playing for the last six months?

Mike Eruzione:
Not with us he hasn't!

Herb Brooks:
So?

Mike Eruzione:
So there's a difference!

Herb Brooks:
Like hell there is! All I know is that that kid can flat out play!

Jack O'Callahan:
What and we can't?

Herb Brooks:
He's got great vision on the ice...

Rob McClanahan:
That's not the point!

Herb Brooks:
You know what else he's got? He's got the attitude I want on and off the ice, so somebody here better tell me why I shouldn't be giving him a hell of a look!

Mark Johnson:
Because we're a family!

Herb Brooks:
What?

Mark Johnson:
We're a family.

Mike Eruzione:
You're Robbie McClanahan, right?

Rob McClanahan:
Yeah

Mike Eruzione:
Mike Eruzione. Boston University.

Rob McClanahan:
Seventy- six.

Mike Eruzione:
Seventy- six.

Mike Eruzione:
You're trying to play for Brooks a little more, huh?

Rob McClanahan:
I played for him for four years. A few more months wouldn't hurt. What about you?

Mike Eruzione:
Just trying to play a little more hockey, that's all.

Rob McClanahan:
Rest of your boys all here?

Mike Eruzione:
Of course! Think they'd miss out on all this? Might want to wait a day or so before you go over and say hi!

Craig Patrick:
Hughes, Ross, Auge, Delich, Horsch, Strobel, Christoff, Morrow, Suter, Ramsey, Janaszak, Christian, Pavelich, Verchota, Baker, Harrington, Schneider, O'Callahan, McClanahan, Silk, Johnson, Craig, Cox, Eruzione. And that's the roster for now. The rest of you thanks for coming out.

Mike Ramsey:
This is ridiculous.

Mike Eruzione:
Don't worry about it, Rammer. It'll be all right. Right OC?

Jack O'Callahan:
Herb's not gonna do a damn thing boys. He's just messing with our minds.

Jim Craig:
Oh, you think so, Jack?

Jack O'Callahan:
Yeah I do.

Jim Craig:
Well, we all know Herb made the Olympic team back in sixty.

Jack O'Callahan:
So?

Jim Craig:
So a week before the games, Coach Reilly calls him in his office and sends him home.

Jack O'Callahan:
What's your point?

Jim Craig:
My point, Jack is that one week later Herb's home on his couch with his old man watching his team win the gold medal. Come that close and get nothing. He'll do whatever it takes. That's my point/

Rob McClanahan:
Hows your legs?

Jack O'Callahan:
I'll let you know when I can feel them!

Herb Brooks:
I got a telegram from a lady in Texas today, and you know what it said?

Patty Brooks:
What?

Herb Brooks:
Beat those Commie bastards. We're playing a hockey game against the greatest team in the world, and they're the best that's ever played this game. Why can't we just leave it at that?

Patty Brooks:
Because this is more than a hockey game to a lot of people.

Herb Brooks:
Yeah and I keep running through them all. Johnson on Mikhailov. Broten on Petrov. Pav against whoever OV. We just... We don't match up, Patty.

Patty Brooks:
You might want to skip that when you talk to the boys tomorrow.

Al Michaels:
Mike Eruzione, out of Boston University, the captain of this team, has just put he US ahead for the first time!

Patty Brooks:
Herb, there's no disgrace in losing to this team.

Herb Brooks:
Yeah, I know.

Patty Brooks:
The important thing is, you got this far.

Herb Brooks:
The important thing?

Herb Brooks:
The important thing is that those twenty boys know in twenty years, they didn't leave anything on the table. They played their hearts out. That's the important thing.

Jim Craig:
Thanks for coming out.

Donald Craig:
I wouldn't have missed it. Hey, you beat Harvard.

Jim Craig:
Yeah.

Jim Craig:
I should get going.

Jim Craig:
I love you, Pop.

Donald Craig:
You too, son.

Donald Craig:
Jimmy?

Jim Craig:
Yeah?

Donald Craig:
You keep that glove up.

Jim Craig:
You got it.

Herb Brooks:
How about you?

Mark Pavelich:
Mark Pavelich.

Herb Brooks:
Who do you play for?

Mark Pavelich:
UMD Bulldogs

Herb Brooks:
How about you?

Dave Christian:
Dave Christian.

Herb Brooks:
Who do you play for?

Dave Christian:
University of North Dakota.

Herb Brooks:
What's your name?

Mark Johnson:
Mark Johnson.

Herb Brooks:
Where you from, Mark?

Mark Johnson:
Madison, Wisconsin.

Herb Brooks:
Who do you play for?

Mark Johnson:
University of Wisconsin, Coach.

Herb Brooks:
All-star teams fail because they rely solely on the individual's talent. The Soviets win because they take that talent and use it inside a system that's designed for the betterment of the team. My goal is to beat 'em at their own game.

Lou Nanne:
Beat the best team in the world? Gold medallists in '64, '68, '72, '76? Pretty lofty goal, Herb.

Herb Brooks:
Well, Lou, that's why I want to pursue it.

Herb Brooks:
I'll be your coach, I won't be your friend. If you need one of those, take it up with Doc or Coach Patrick.

Craig Patrick:
Hey, Herb, what's going on? We're playing the Soviets three days before Lake Placid?

Herb Brooks:
Yeah, how 'bout that?

[In the aftermath of OC and McClanahan's fight at a practice game]

Herb Brooks:
Well, how 'bout it boys? Look like hockey to you? Looks more like a couple monkeys trying to hump a football to me, I don't know. What do you think Craig?

Craig Patrick:
Yeah.

Brooks:
You wanna settle old scores, you're on the wrong team. We move forward starting right now. We start becoming a team RIGHT NOW! Skating. Passing. Flow. Creativity. That is what this team is all about, gentlemen, not old rivalries. So, why don't we start with some introductions. You know, get to know each other a little bit. Where you from. Who you are. [looks at McClanahan] Go ahead.

Rob McClanahan:
[rolls his eyes] Rob McClanahan. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Brooks:
Who do you play for?

McClanahan:
I play for you, here at the U.

Brooks:
[looks at OC] Jack?

Jack O'Callahan:
Jack O'Callahan. Charlestown, Massachusetts. Boston University.

Brooks:
[looks at Ralph Cox] Over here.

Ralph Cox:
I'm Ralph Cox. I'm from wherever's not gonna get me hit!

Brooks:
Very good. Everybody on the line, let's go!

[showing the team a new play]

Herb Brooks:
Boom he can hit him. Boom. Boom. Boom. We're opening up options. We've got four options off of one play. Allright. Any questions? [silence] Good, let's go.

Buzz Schneider:
What the hell is he talking about?

Rob McClanahan:
No clue!

[During an intermission break in the US-Sweden game]

Herb Brooks:
This is unbelievable. You guys are playing like this is some throw away game up in Rochester. Who we playing Rammer?

Mike Ramsey:
Sweden.

Brooks:
Yeah. You're damn [topples a refreshments table] right Sweden! In the Olympics! [Turns to McClanahan] What the hell is wrong with you? Put your gear on! I said put your gear on! Who do you play for?

McClanahan:
Doc told me I can't play.

Brooks:
Yeah, yeah, yeah I know. You got a bad bruise. You know what, put your street clothes on because I got no time for quitters!

Mike Eruzione:
Come on Herb! Nobody is quitting here!

Brooks:
You worry about your own game. Plenty there to keep you busy. [to McClanahan] A bruise on the leg is a hell of a long way from the heart, [mutters as he walks away] candy ass.

McClanahan:
What'd you call me?

Brooks:
You heard me!

McClanahan:
You want me to play huh? Is that what you want? [rushes Brooks]

Brooks:
I want you to be a hockey player!!

McClanahan:
I AM A HOCKEY PLAYER! YOU WANT ME TO PLAY ON ONE LEG? HUH? I'LL PLAY ON ONE LEG!

Brooks:
[walking out of the locker room with McClanahan still screaming] That'll get him going.

Craig Patrick:
Oh yeah. I'll clean up!

McClanahan:
[as other players calm him down] GET OFF ME! THERE, WOULD THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY, HUH HERB?!?! I AM A HOCKEY PLAYER!!!!

[The night before the US-USSR game, Herb and Patti Brooks sit at a park]

Herb Brooks:
I got a telegram from a lady in Texas today, and you know what it said?

Patti Brooks:
What?

Herb:
"Beat those Commie bastards." We're playing a hockey game against the greatest team in the world, and they're the best that's ever played this game. Why can't we just leave it at that?

Patti:
Because this is more than a hockey game to a lot of people.

Herb:
Yeah and I keep running through them all. Johnson on Mikhailov. Broten on Petrov. Pav against whoever-Ov. We just ... We don't match up, Patti.

Patti:
You might want to skip that when you talk to the boys tomorrow. Herb, there's no disgrace in losing to this team.

Herb:
Yeah, I know.

Patti:
The important thing is, you got this far.

Herb:
The important thing? The important thing is that those twenty boys know in twenty years, they didn't leave anything on the table. They played their hearts out. That's the important thing. [leans over and kisses Patti on the cheek, while she rests her head on his shoulder]

Herb Brooks:
You think you can win on talent alone? Gentlemen, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TALENT TO WIN ON TALENT ALONE!

Herb Brooks:
You better think about something else, each and every one of you. When you pull on that jersey, you represent yourself and your teammates...and the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back. Get that through your head. AGAIN!

Herb Brooks:
[Speaking to team during the last intermission in the US-USSR game] Listen to 'em (the crowd chanting U-S-A!). That's what you've done. We've come from behind in every game in this tournament so far and we can do it again. [team blankly stares] We can beat these guys!

Herb Brooks:
[Epilogue voiceover] Two days later, the miracle was made complete. My boys defeated Finland to win the gold medal, coming from behind once again. As I watched them out there, celebrating on the ice, I realized that Patti had been right. It was a lot more than a hockey game, not only for those who watched it, but for those who played in it. I've often been asked in the years since Lake Placid what was the best moment for me. Well, it was here - the sight of 20 young men of such differing backgrounds now standing as one. Young men willing to sacrifice so much of themselves, all for an unknown. A few years later, the U.S. began using professional athletes at the Games - "Dream Teams". I always found that term ironic because now that we have Dream Teams, we seldom ever get to dream. But on one weekend, as America and the world watched, a group of remarkable young men gave the nation what it needed most - a chance, for one night, not only to dream, but a chance, once again, to believe.

Al Michaels:
Eleven seconds, you've got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles?! YES!!!

O'Callahan:
"You know what, Coxy, let me ask you a question. Why'd you wanna play college hockey?"

Cox:
"Isn't it obvious? For the girls!"