Al Franken: “50 years ago this month, a group of athletes gathered in Squaw Valley, CA, for the Winter Olympics. A part of the U.S.…”

“50 years ago this month, a group of athletes gathered in Squaw Valley, CA, for the Winter Olympics. A part of the U.S. contingent--the 1960 men's ice hockey team--unexpectedly surprised the world and brought home the Olympic gold medal by defeating the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Canada. Of these 17 remarkable men, 8 were from my home State, the great State of Minnesota. As anyone could see from watching this year's games, this outsized contribution from Minnesotans continues to this day. Twenty years after this 'forgotten miracle,' Team USA again shocked the world by miraculously defeating Finland and the vaunted Soviet Union to again win the gold medal. Thirteen Minnesotans played for the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team, and a 14th was their coach. This year's Olympic men's ice hockey team was considered by many not to have a chance for a medal. They were too young, too inexperienced; they had not played together before. And the U.S. men had not defeated Canada in Olympic play in 50 years. Yet a week ago, despite being the underdog, Team USA upset the favored Canadians in their own arena. After defeating Switzerland and soundly beating Finland in the semi-finals, Team USA played Canada a second time last night for the gold medal. Although we fell behind early, Zach Parise--a Prior Lake, MN, native--tied the game with under a minute to play. Sadly for us, Canada would end up scoring in overtime to win the gold medal.”