IL1 Rochester Red Wings

Red Wings to Host Miracle on Ice Night

Published on June 17, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - Amid the worldwide turmoil of the late 1970's, one team emerged to give a nation hope. In 1980, a group of college kids stunned the world by defeating the mighty Soviet Union en route to the gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice" and to commemorate the accomplishment, the Rochester Red Wings will hold a Miracle on Ice Night on Saturday, August 1 vs. the Syracuse Chiefs.

Rochester will wear Team USA's home white jerseys while Syracuse will don the away blue sweaters from 1980. (see attached photo). Fans can bid on the jerseys, which will be signed by all the Olympians in attendance, during the game with proceeds benefitting the Red Wings Community Foundation. The umpires will also wear hockey referee jerseys during the game. Throughout the baseball contest, game highlights from one of the most historic American sports moments, the United States' 4-3 triumph over the Soviet Union in the semifinals of the 1980 Olympics, will be shown on the video board during the game. The Americans would defeat Finland to win gold.

Two members of that team - John Harrington and Mike Ramsey - are confirmed to attend while at least one other player is expected to be added. The Olympians will sign autographs from 6-6:45 p.m. and from 7:15-8 p.m. and throw out first pitches between each session.

Ramsey had one of the most successful NHL careers of the members of the 1980 squad. Immediately following the Olympics, he signed with Buffalo and played 14 of his 18 NHL seasons with the Sabres while playing in four All-Star Games, all with Buffalo. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001 and spent 2000-10 as assistant coach for the expansion Minnesota Wild.

Harrington, a member of the "Conehead Line," recorded an assist on Mike Eruzione's game-winning goal against the USSR and played for the Rochester Americans after signing with the Buffalo Sabres after the Olympics. He would go into coaching following his playing career, spending 1993-2008 as men's ice hockey head coach at Saint John's University, a Division 3 institution in Minnesota.

Miracle on Ice Night is presented by Airport Transmission, Castle, Democrat and Chronicle, Jeremiah's Tavern and Labatt. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a poster courtesy of the sponsors. After the game, the Olympians will do an interview prior to a fireworks show presented by ESL Federal Credit Union.

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