The United States Bandy Team sent shock waves through the bandy universe when they defeated Norway 3-2 at the 2018 World Bandy Championships in Khaborovsk, Russia. In addition to beating Norway for the first time ever, the USA achieved 5th place, their highest finish ever. The only countries that now stand above them are the pure professionals from Russia, Sweden, Finland and Khazakstan.

This landmark victory finally came after 35 years of competition between the two countries going all the way back to the first game in Oslo in 1983. The teams had met 24 times since then, with Norway winning 22 times and two games ending in ties. Each passing world championship when the ”big victory” did not happen, the frustration grew. The scores between the two nations have for the most part always been close and victories within grasp for the USA, but the big win never came to fruition. In 1991 in Helsinki, the score was tied 1-1 with only a few minutes left in the game but a late corner goal allowed Norway to squeak by in a crushing defeat for USA.  Other close calls were in 2014 in Irkutsk when USA was leading 5-3 deep into the second half and again in 2015 in Khaborovsk, but both time Norway escaped with a tie. But you could sense these recent ties sent a signal that the USA was on the threshold of making history.

Flash forward to February 3, 2018. Team USA had experienced a roller coaster ride in the first four games as they crushed Germany and Hungary but in turn were humbled by Team Kazakhstan and Team Finland. However, the Finland game proved to be pivotal as the USA team started poorly but managed to refocus in the second half and develop a defensive system that seemed to work, and this was carried over to the match against Norway. The day of the Norway match the Americans were loose and confident but in contrast it appeared Team Norway was the more nervous of the two teams and you could sense this could be the “Great Day”.

The game was scoreless until the 37 minute mark when Norway scored to take a 1-0 lead. But undeterred, Team USA tied it on a goal by Captain Mike Carman on a rebound after a blast on the net from Kevin Brown and the two teams were tied at half 1-1.

The second half easily qualifies as the most intense and fulfilling forty five minutes ever played by a USA team. At the 63 minute mark Team USA took the lead on a goal by halfback Wyatt Wenzel from a perfect feed by Carman. The Americans celebration was short lived as Norway quickly tied it up again 2-2 only three minutes later. Over the next 15 minutes the two teams put on an exciting display of bandy as each team tried to take the lead. At the 74 minute mark, USA’s Alexander Zitouni had a long rush through and around the Norwegians and found Carman in the slot. Carman, playing his best game ever, buried the shot to give USA a 3-2 lead.

The next 16 minutes were the most intense bandy of the 2018 tournament as the area in front of the goal became a war zone as Norway launched ball after ball into the penalty area. This pressure intensified even more when both Carman and Daren Richardson, Team USA’s top players, both went off late with ten minute penalties each, leaving the Americans with only 8 skaters. Norway continued to attack and came close several times. But it was not meant to be. Not this day. Not this time. The USA skaters were sensational at blocking shots and clearing the zone when needed. USA keeper Eric Kraska made one diving save after another as the clock wound down. Norway had one last chance with seconds left, but the shot sailed inches over the net. Team USA had done it. The greatest victory in the history of USA bandy.

In the locker room, Coach Chris Halden was greeted with 24 can beer shower. Both he and Team Leader Chris Middlebrook had either coached or played in every game against Norway since 1983. They were ecstatic as the two had both waited 35 years for this moment that they thought might never come.

Halden expressed his pride in his players, not only for the Norway victory but their entire performance in Kahborovsk, both on and off the ice. “These players put in a tremendous amount of time preparing for this tournament and this game”, Halden emphasized. “This is a team of true amateurs, who beat a team of professionals who have played the game their entire life in a country that has been playing the sport bandy for over 100 years. This is truly a historic day, not only for the USA Bandy program, but for the entire bandy world.” Halden further emphasized the goodwill and sportsmanship his players brought to Russia and the World Championships. “Our players are the most sought after and well liked of all the teams and are great ambassadors for the United States and the sport of bandy. All of the USA should be proud of these players”.