Week 4, Post B

What this section was about was the second period of the gold medal game between the Soviets and the U.S. Their coach (of the soviets) was really upset. He started ranting on the U.S. t3eam about how much they changed from the previous time the Soviets played the U.S. He said, "What is going on with these American guys? How can they be so different from games in Madison Square Garden?" Marakov (the coach) was very upset with the Soviets performance in that first period, so that blew his fuse. Although on the other side, the U.S. was pleased with their performance. Brooks was pleased and told them to keep up the performance, because at that rate, they'll win.

Week 4, Post A

1.) Vocabulary:

Fastidious- excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please. Page 114

Eclectic- not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems. Page 114

2.) Figurative Language:

Simile- "...his legs as thick as his arms were thin, getting him around the ice as fast as just about anyone," (page 114). This is a Simile because it's comparing two different things, with like attributes.

Onomatopeoia- "...and a sudden 'zoom!' was heard from the blistering shot of Ramsey..." (Page 121). This is an Onomatopeoia because it's a sound being described from a shot by Ramsey.

Quote- "You went to High School and hoped to get a job in the factory and then 25 years later, you would be counting down the days to retirement," (page 123). This is significant because it's a reaction of a player to another player.
One Emerging Theme- An emerging theme is the rest of the Gold Medal game between U.S.A. and the Soviets.

Week 3, Post B

My reaction to this weeks r4eading was nothing at all. There really isn't much to say, since it was so short. But basically what happened, was the reader was given historical background once again, about Herb Brooks, how he grew up in St. Paul, and played hockey at Johnson High School, then went on to play at the U, and eventually the coach of the Gophers. Then there was alot of talk about how the Americans played that first period, considering that this chapter was called "first intermission." This summary is short, but that's the real big points of this section.

Week 3, Post A

1.) Vocabulary

Exodus- a going out; a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people (Page 106).

Discotheque- a nightclub for dancing to live or recorded music and often featuring sophisticated sound systems, elaborate lighting, and other effects (page 107).

2.) Figurative Language-

Simile- "......gain a financial foothold, Smith gave away over 400 plots of 40 acres like it was his own land to give away," (page 106). This is a Simile because it shows that Smith was generous, and wanted to help the black people at the time.
Onomatopoeia- "The walls weren't exactly soundproof.....they made a 'bang!' noise as something hit it..." (page 109). This is an Onomatopeoia because it describes a sound being made.
Quote- "It was almost like he was having a midlife crisis for the last 20 years. It was like he wanted to be doing something, but didn't know what it was. He was searching for something, but didn't know what it should be," (page 105). The quote's significance is that it's describing Herb Brooks, and how Nanne (the man who said the quote) feels about the way Herb is acting.
One Emerging Theme- An emerging theme, is the 2nd period of the Gold Medal Game versus the U.S.A. and the Soviets.

Week 2, Post B

My reaction to this section of the book (pages 50-96), is quite surprised. What i didn't see coming was that the novel would describe some of the players accomplishments, and their life stories and historical backgrounds. I never knew that some of the players had such interesting lives. For example, the player biography on Jack O'Callahan: "He grew up in Charlestown, Massachusetts, a tough Irish-Catholic enclave across the river from Boston. His house was a short walk from the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill......O'Callahan, Boston University captain and All-American, MVP of the NCAA Tournament in 1978, seemed to relive it every timehe hit the ice," (pages 68-69). Reacting to this quote, I'd have to say that O'Callahan was pretty good growing up? But that's my opinion. He seemed like such an amazing person to play with, even when others would say "he's the kind of guy who could hang with the president of the U.S.A., or the Hell's Angels," (page 69). This is just one player. There are others, like Buzz Schneider, Jim Craig, Joe Micheletti, and other greats. Another reaction I had, was impressed, because of the way the Americans played in the first period, scoring at the end to have some momentum to ride with into the 2nd period, in which they scored with 00:01 left. Overall, I was intrigued for this week.

Week 2, Post A

1.) Vocabulary

-Ubiquitous: existing or being everywhere, esp. at the same time; omnipresent (page 55).
-Brandished: To wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly (page 85)

2.) Figurative Language

-Simile: "......and could skate by people as if they were mannequins, and he was the most valuable player on his American Legion team," (pg. 62). This is a simile because it's saying that the player is very quick with his feet when skating.
-Onomatopeoia: "......he shot the puck, and it made a sudden 'ding!' off the crossbar of the hockey net...." (page 76). This is an Onomatopeoia because it describes the sound that was made off a shot onto the crossbar.
Quote: "It was not a question if there was any time left. It was a good goal," (page 76). This quote is significant because it's stating that the goal counted no matter how much time is left, and also that the team would carry the momentum of that goal into the next period.
One Emerging Theme: An emerging theme is the one carrying over from last week. The Americans are riding the momentum from the goal they scored into the next period, to give the team a little boost of confidence against the Soviets.

Week 1, Post B

To respond to this, I would have to say that I am impressed with what has happened. The USA 1980 Olympic team was made up of kids in their early 20's, or kids in their late teens. It was a surprisingly young group of talent, in which they worked hard, and earned what they fought for. In the first chapter, for example, on page 48, it says: "After Krutov's goal, the anxiety in the building was almost palpable. The whole place seemed tight, American players and fans alike." It is saying that the American team had high hopes at the time that happened. the entire American fan section at the arena was behind them one hundred percent, and that would help them out down the stretch of the game. For a Olympic team to be made up of kids that are right out of college, play against one of the best teams in the world? That's pretty impressive on their part for what the outcome was. Also, Herb Brooks, the coach, was by far one of the most eager of the team to win the gold medal, because he was cut from the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. So for him to win this, would just redeem himself for being cut.