Every USA Olympic hockey team, ranked by miracles on ice

16. Innsbruck Olympics, 1976

After down years without a medal, TEAM USA WAS BACK IN 1972, BABY! That team won silver. Now that they had reclaimed their rightful spot on the podium, Team USA was about to go on another run where they medaled each games until the Olympics were forced to ban them for being too good.

Or not.

The 1976 team finished fifth with a 2-3 record. They were coached by Bob Johnson and captained by John Taft. Taft had three points in the five game tournament. Team USA was led by Bob Dobek in scoring. He contributed seven points.

Team USA dominated Yugoslavia in the qualifying round, doubling them up with a 8-4 victory. The scoring went dry in the next two games. They score two goals against the Soviet Union while giving up six. They were shutout by a 5-0 score against Czechoslovakia. Victories over Finland and Poland ran their record to 2-2 and a chance to capture bronze.

Unfortunately, West Germany defeated them 4-1. West Germany, Finland, and USA all finished with four points, but West Germany went home with bronze.

Sweden and Canada did not send a team to the 1976 Olympics, which makes this squad a little more embarrassing than other teams that failed to medal. They had a clear path to a medal without two hockey powerhouses standing in their way.

But, you know the old saying. “Great victory can only be achieved following great defeat.” I’m not sure if that’s a real saying. If it’s not, someone pay me a lot of money. Point is, this rough year set up USA for success four years later.