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.