You never thought a hockey game could have such a crazy effect on the world and America. The medal round match between the United States of America and the Soviet Union would prove to be much more than just a game. The United States was achieving more than just a victory and a setback, but our country was receiving a much-needed moral boost in the fight against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It wasn't just a potential gold medal on the line, it was the way we lived and our lifestyle compared to theirs. You want a true example of “David versus Goliath”; Well, you couldn't ask for a better example of how David wins. This victory for America in the Olympics could not have come at a better time for the country. There wasn't much left to cheer about in America. The Iranian hostage situation was only getting worse and shortages of everyday materials were growing, not allowing people to enjoy the luxuries that most of them have. (History Channel). Our country was beginning to falter during the Cold War and was falling behind the Soviet Union and people were just waiting for World War III to break out at any moment. The United States was also going through difficult times, which could easily have caused a slide into a losing position in the Cold War. Just when things seemed like they couldn't get any worse, the Soviets invaded the country of Afghanistan. This made Cold War tensions very high and every move was monitored by both sides. People were unemployed, inflation was extremely high and there was even an energy crisis (figure 4). So when this hockey game, this huge victory and this upset happened, it couldn't have come at a better time for America (Honeycutt). The once proud country of the free...... middle of paper ...... quite a long time, especially just because of a hockey game. That day in 1980 will forever be known as the miracle on ice that changed America and changed where America was headed. It was just a game on a patch of ice and a puck with sticks, it turned out to be much more than that. America didn't realize it, but the game was more than just a gold medal at stake, it was our way of life against theirs and the East against the West. » History.com February 22, 2014. Web March 6. 2014. Honeycutt, Kirk. "Miracle." Hollywood journalist. February 3, 2004; 62. Electronic library. Internet. February 28, 2014.Russell, Kurt, “The Miracle of Success.” » Sports news. February 2, 2004; 8. Electronic library. Internet. February 28, 2014. Learning Network "United States Defeats Soviet Union in Miracle on Ice." The New York Times. February 22, 2012.r-3. Print.