The reporting from this year’s press in Sochi has overlooked, for the most part, the importance of the 1960 Squaw Valley Gold Medal heroics and the sub stories that are such a part of this fabled history. There has been hardly a mention of the fantastic upset victory by the U.S. Team, which against all odds beat all of the favorites on its way to Olympic Gold — the first Gold Medal ever for U.S. men’s hockey.

Three last minute additions to the U.S. roster proved a key to the outcome, causing some disruption to the team’s chemistry at the time. Forwards Bill and Bob Cleary of Harvard fame and defenseman John Mayasich from Minnesota all played key roles as the drama played out. Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 team, was among the last cuts. The inclusion of the Cleary’s was not universally heralded in the locker room. All of which was set aside when the first puck dropped.

February 25 1960 – In the final round, the U.S. beat Canada 2-1. Bob Cleary scored from Mayasich at 12:47 of the first period. Paul Johnson scored at 14:00 of the second period, unassisted. Connelly scored for Canada at 13:38 of the third. Jack McCartan, the U.S. goalie was spectacular, making 39 saves.

Two days later, the U.S. prevailed over the U.S.S.R., 3-2. Bill Cleary scored at 4:04 of the first period from brother Bob. The Russians answered with two goals. At 11:01 of the second period, Bill Christian scored from his brother Roger to tie the game. Bill Christian scored the game winner at 14:59 of the third assisted by Roger and Tom Williams. McCartan made 27 saves.

The Gold Medal game took place the next day against Czechoslovakia. The U.S. matched 3 goals by the Czechs in the first period with Weldon Olson scoring from Paul Johnson and Dick Rodenheiser; Bob McVey scored assisted by Bob Cleary; and Roger Christian scored from brother William and Tom Williams. The Czechs scored at 6:58 of the second period to take a 4-3 lead into the final period.

The U. S. locker room was visited between the second and third periods by the legendary Russian defenseman Nikolai Sologubov who spoke little English. He gestured to the Americans and demonstrated to them to take oxygen before returning to the ice for the start of the third period. The U.S. went out and scored 6 unanswered goals to secure the Gold Medal.

R. Christian scored from W. Christian; R. Cleary from Mayasich; R. Cleary from B. Cleary and Jack Kirrane; R. Christian from Mayasich and W. Cleary; W. Cleary unassisted; and R. Christian Completing his hat trick, from W. Christian.

Coach Jack Riley’s U. S. team won all seven games on its way to the Gold and the unquestioned contributions of the Cleary and Christian brothers combinations added another intriguing element to what many believe was the real start of our hockey prominence on the world scene. Jack McCartan was voted Best Goalkeeper. Nikolai Sologubov was voted Best Defenseman and Nisse Nilsson, from Sweden, won Best Forward Honors. Bill Cleary led the U.S. team in scoring with 14 points, followed by Bill Christian with 13 and John Mayasich with 12.                                                                                                           

Hats off to the 1960 and 1980 Gold winners. Go U.S.A. 2014!!!

Watch highlights of the amazing 1960 Gold Medal game here at 4:50 minutes into the clip:

Best, George