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how many saves did jim craig have against the... ~~

Jim Craig made 36 saves against the Soviets in the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” game, stopping 36 of 39 shots in the USA’s 4–3 upset win.

Quick Scoop: Jim Craig’s Save Total

For the famous Lake Placid showdown vs. the Soviet Union:

  • Jim Craig faced 39 shots.
  • He stopped 36 of them.
  • Final score: USA 4, USSR 3.

That performance is a big part of why the game is remembered as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

He then followed it up with 21 saves in the gold-medal-clinching win over Finland (4–2 USA).

Mini context: why this is such a big deal

  • The Soviets were a dominant hockey powerhouse, heavily favored to win.
  • Holding them to 3 goals on 39 shots (a save percentage just over .900) was outstanding under that pressure.
  • Craig’s composure in the closing minutes helped the U.S. protect the one-goal lead.

Many recaps highlight that “Craig stopped 36 of 39 shots” as the key stat from the Miracle on Ice.

FAQ-style quick hits

  • Q: How many saves did Jim Craig have against the Soviets?
    A: 36 saves.
  • Q: How many saves did he have in the gold-medal game vs. Finland?
    A: 21 saves.
  • Q: What was the final score vs. the Soviets?
    A: USA 4 – USSR 3.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.