In one of the most stunning upsets in Olympic history, the United States defeated the vaunted USSR 4-3 in a medal round game that keyed the Americans' drive to the gold medal. The US drove Soviet netminder Tretiak from the net with a controversial goal at 19:59 of the second period (the Soviets claimed the clock showed no time left) and then hung on for a gritty, improbable win led by goalie Jim Craig and coach Herb Brooks. A victory over Finland in their last game clinched the title for the hosts before a delirious home crowd in Lake Placid, NY.