John Harrington, nicknamed “Bah” as a kid, made the University of Minnesota Duluth hockey team as a freshman walk-on in 1975. After lettering all four years, Bah was invited to try out for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team being assembled by coach Herb Brooks. As USA’s right wing, Harrington became an integral part of the squad that upset the mighty Soviets in the 1980 Olympic semifinals known to history as the “Miracle on Ice.” In fact, Harrington assisted on Mike Eruzione’s game-winning goal that beat the USSR – and THIS is the jersey he wore in that miraculous victory. With ten minutes left in the third period and the scored knotted at three, the puck went from Harrington to Mark Pavelich to Eruzione, whose shot from thirty feet away found the back of the net. Pandemonium ensued inside the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY. But the game was far from over.
"5 minutes after I scored, I looked up at the clock and it said 9:59,” recalled Eruzione. "It was the longest 10 minutes of my life.”
Goaltender Jim Craig preserved the lead with a number of tremendous saves, and we can all still hear Al Michaels. "11 seconds, you've got 10 seconds, the countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles?! YES!”
The white mesh jersey has “USA” arched across the chest in blue and red tackle twill with blue and red banding at the waist and sleeve ends. The shoulders have white stars below which is Bah’s number “28” in blue and red tackle twill. The back has “HARRINGTON” in white on a blue nameplate above his number “28” in blue and red tackle twill. The Narcon manufacturer’s label is affixed in the neck collar. The jersey shows solid game use with some scuffing and abrasions throughout. There is some dye transfer from perspiration and loose threads on some of the lettering.
The “Miracle on Ice” remains one of America’s greatest sporting achievements, a true David versus Goliath story, and any game-used piece of equipment from this momentous event is a collecting milestone. To own the jersey worn by the man credited with the game winning assist is a “miracle” in itself.
Includes letter of provenance from Harrington.