Every USA Olympic hockey team, ranked by miracles on ice

14. Grenoble Olympics, 1968

How is it that 1968, the team that finished sixth in the tournament, is somehow ranked higher than 1964, a team that finished fifth? Simple. It’s my rankings and this is how I chose the order. But for those of you that enjoy “logical explanations,” allow me to explain.

The 1968 team went 2-4-1. The 1964 team went 2-5-0. If this were the NHL, the 1968 team would have finished one point higher. Thus, they are ranked higher on the list. It’s not their fault that they are stuck in the Central Division, where the sixth-place team is better than the third-place team in the Pacific.

On top of being one point better in NHL scoring, the 1968 Olympics were held in France. The 1964 Olympics were held in Austria. France has more distractions and would seem to be a tougher place to play. Maybe that’s just me perpetuating stereotypes. But I don’t think it is because there are no stereotypes about Austria. It’s just known that France is a cool place to be.

As for the 1968 team, our pal Herb Brooks was back. He’s the Chris Chelios of the 1960s. He followed up his two points in 1964 with two more points in 1968. Thank God this guy was good at giving speeches.

John Morrison, not the semi-famous wrestler, led Team USA with eight points in the seven game tournament. The Americans lost their first four games, getting outscored 22-8. However, they were unbeaten in their last three. Victories over East and West Germany along with a tie against Finland propelled the 1968 team to being one point better than 1964.