Igor Larionov Recalls 'The Miracle on Ice' // SiriusXM // SiriusXM Sports Zone FEB 2014

SiriusXM Sports Zone - Play-by-play of college and pro sports, plus sports talk with a focus on MMA and Pro Wrestling.

Connect with SiriusXM Online

NHL Hall of Famer Igor Larionov describes the shock of Russia's loss to the US at 1980 Winter Olympics.

[leohornsfan]

This man is a legend in the hockey community and even the Americans love him. He definitely had a great NHL carrier and was thankful for the opportunity to do it. He said he wished that he could have played in the league way sooner.

[adamdesanti]

Igor Larionov is a legend. His life-long journey as a hockey player and as a man I found to be absolutely extraordinary. It's an epic. I learned of much of it from the great hockey book "The Russian Five". He was basically the Russian Gretzky of the 80's KLM line. Tremendous vision and hockey IQ. He payed tremendous dues in the old Soviet system from his childhood until they finally released him when he was 30. Sovietsport taxed his NHL salary for several years, which they couldn't do with the 2nd wave of straight defectors. Finally earned his financial freedom and then was the cornerstone of the remarkable puck-possession "Russian Five" lines in San Jose and then Detroit. Played at a high level well into his 40's. A humble, modest, intelligent, insightful, family man of the utmost integrity. He got the respect of everyone he ever came across.

[TheReginaldDwight]

I was definitely a fan of Igor Larionov the hockey player. I think I am an even bigger fan of Igor Larionov the fine gentleman.

[ozpan]

Igor Larionov. Pure class off and on the ice

[Senaleb]

Larionov is my favorite player of all time, just because as a kid we got the San Jose Sharks new team and watching him skate was magical.

[Lawomenshoops]

I remember reading a story about when Igor first arrived in Vancouver. The wife of another Canucks player took Igor’s wife grocery shopping. Igor’s wife filled her cart up with meats. The other player’s wife, told her that she didn’t need to fill up her cart with meat. There would be plenty there tomorrow and the next day and the next week. Obviously, she came from Soviet Russia, where there were shortages of just basic groceries.So she didn’t know any better.

[Zapatos-xgyb]

Igor is the man. One of my favorite players to watch, so cerebral, such a smart player. Glad he won a few cups with the Red Wings.

[Lawomenshoops]

He always makes a distinction between Russian and Soviet! Post 1990ish, it's Russian. 1980's it's the Soviets.

[jasonharper]

Thank you for doing this interview in English

[roberthudson]

Background: international sport is war without death, and this was particularly true from 1945-90. The USSR had a military service requirement, and soldiers who were outstanding athletes were offered commissions. The vast majority of the national team, including the coach, came from the Central Army hockey team. Like most soldiers, they trained together 11 months a year.

[Lawomenshoops]

Igor says he was too young to make the 1980 team. But, Krutov is only six MONTHS older, and he made the team!

[tomcusack]

The Soviet hockey players were more amused than disgusted by the American victory. They outplayed the USA squad, outshot them 39-16, dominated puck possession and scoring chances, but Lady Luck was sitting on the Americans bench. The Soviets played cold-hearted, methodical, machine-style hockey---emotionless, unfeeling, close to non-human. Watching the wild celebration by a bunch of kids, some who barely shaved, had an effect on the Russians. They knew something was wrong...and it was. It was far more than a hockey game. The long-suffering Russians began the

[Salvatore]

I remember when Igor got Peter Forsberg good

[amusement]

Some people in the US really thought the Russian team was going to be sent to Siberia lol That’s what Russian coaches would say to the Red Army team if they tried to defect. I would have asked him did the Herb Brooks and the Americans win or did the Russians lose? But his comment about Brooks and the US seeing a huge opportunity with Tretiak being pulled kind of answered that.

[bobgibson]

Igor Larionov is definitely an Ice Hockey expert but I do disagree with one thing He said about the 1980 loss to the U.S. Team. I think too much is made about Tikhonov pulling out Tretiak after the First Period in their Game against Team USA. That Olympic Year Tretiak was in a major Goaltending slump and was not Playing well at all. He also Played Poorly against other Teams during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

[waynejohanson]

Larianov was around 20 years old at the time. Maybe the Russia team should have had some younger players on the team like him.

[twiztinupblunts]

Alex Ovechkin and Igor Larionov are my favorite hockey players. Nick Backstrom reminds me a lot of Larionov though.... Backstrom is just garbo at faceoffs, especially compared to Larionov.

[cryptohalloffame]

the USA team was in better condition, and they were superstars, because Herb Brooks helped them reach that level, so there was nothing the soviets could do, they would have lost with Tretiak in net

[adamr]

There were several factors. It can't be left unsaid
The Soviets despised their coach. He made them dislike hockey. How a country could go from Tarasov that idiot chicken neck in such short time is sad.The list goes on for Soviet excuses.
Player selections
Coach
Vodka consumption
USA peaking at the exact right time.
Goalie change
Idiot coach didn't swap goalie for extra attacker in last minute.
Coach pannnicked and had no gameplay or plan b better. Soviet players were tired of it all or at least no longer hungry. Coach killed their hockey spirits