Gloves used by Phil Verchota of the U.S. Hockey Team during the 1980 Winter Olympics

Red, white, and blue leather hockey gloves with nylon lining, lace style closures, and tanned leather palms. These were used by Phil Verchota on the U. S. hockey team during the 1980 Winter Olympics when the United States defeated Russia to advance to the gold medal round. While it was the win against Finland that clinched the gold medal, the defeat of the Soviet team in the semifinals — known as the "miracle on ice" — captured the hearts and imaginations of Americans during a time of Cold War tensions.

The 1980 Winter Olympics, also known as the Games of the XIII Olympiad were held in Lake Placid, New York with 37 countries, 840 men and 232 women athletes participating. These Games are famous for the “Miracle on Ice” hockey team which consisted of American college hockey players competing against the more experienced and professional Russian team amongst the backdrop of the cold war. The Americans beat the Russians to move into the medal round beating Finland for the Gold but it was the game where they beat Russia which is most remembered and where announcer Al Michaels asked all American if they believed in miracles. US Speed skater Eric Heiden dominated the speed skating event winning gold in all five events, the only athlete in the Winter games to do so. The Soviet Union won the medal count with 22 with the United States coming in third with 12 medals.