On This Day in Sports: February 28, 1960
On February 28, 1960, the United States defeated Czechoslovakia 9–4 at Squaw Valley to win the nation’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal. The Americans entered the tournament as underdogs but advanced through every stage unbeaten. In the medal round they defeated Canada 2–1 and the Soviet Union 3–2, placing themselves one victory from the championship before an 8 a.m. finale against the Czechoslovak team.
The early start appeared to affect the Americans. Czechoslovakia led 4–3 after two periods and stood twenty minutes from taking away the gold. The United States responded with one of the most explosive periods in Olympic hockey history, scoring six unanswered goals. Roger Christian produced a third-period hat trick, while Bob Cleary added two goals as the game changed from a narrow deficit into a decisive 9–4 victory.
Goaltender Jack McCartan had been essential throughout the tournament, including a 39-save performance against Canada. Coach Jack Riley’s roster combined college players, military veterans and experienced amateurs at a time before NHL participation in the Olympics. The team’s conditioning and depth became particularly important in the final round, where the schedule demanded repeated games against elite opponents.
The gold established an American hockey tradition twenty years before the Miracle on Ice. The 1980 team would become more famous, but its players grew up knowing that a U.S. roster had already defeated the world’s powers on home ice. Squaw Valley demonstrated the same qualities later celebrated at Lake Placid: preparation, goaltending, resilience and a final-period surge when the championship appeared to be slipping away.
The United States entered the final game unbeaten after victories over Canada and the Soviet Union.
Czechoslovakia led 4–3 through two periods of the early-morning contest.
The Americans scored six unanswered goals in the third period.
Christian recorded a hat trick and Cleary scored twice during the decisive surge.
McCartan’s goaltending helped the underdog team survive the medal round.
The title was the first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in U.S. history.
Explore more "On This Day in Sports"
Discover more landmark games, records, championships, and turning points from sports history. Each day revisits the athletes, teams, and moments that shaped competition and culture.