February 25, 2023

By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com

On a Saturday night under the bright lights inside Cable Dahmer Arena Kansas City Mavericks fans were treated to a trip back to 1980 to remember what is known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The Mavericks on February 18 played host to the ECHL leading Idaho Steelheads but most of the evening was spent reflecting on the 1980 Winter Olympics where Team USA Hockey team stunned the heavily favored Russians on their way to winning a gold medal.

Mavericks Head Coach Tad O’Had feels, “The front office did a wonderful job” on this “special event.” O’Had enjoyed the 2004 movie by the title “Miracle” saying, “It speaks to the underdog story.” O’Had admits the original game played on February 22, 1980 was two days before he was born.

Veteran forward Nick Pastujov felt the evening “was really special.” Nick is a big fan of the movie saying he knows it well “enough to quote it.” Nick along with his Maverick teammates were able to wear special jerseys for this game that looked very similar to the ones worn back in 1980. Nick feels “Any time is a good time to rock the Red White and Blue.” Nick really enjoys the theme of the movie which shows what happens when “You work hard for each other.”

The Mavericks would come up short on the scoreboard to Idaho on this night losing 2-1. Throughout the evening movie clips were shown on the large videoboards within the arena and music from 1980 was played.

Earlier in the week Mavs players had some down time while staying in the metro area. Without a game to play all week Coach O’Had says the “guys really enjoyed it, got a feel of Kansas City excitement.” In fact Wednesday served as an off day allowing the players to take in the Kansas City Chiefs championship parade in Downtown KC. O’Had was happy to know his players saw the “passion of a KC sports fan.”