LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Playing together for the first time in
22 years, all 20 members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team performed
another miracle on ice by tying a team of NHL Legends. The Allstate 1980 USA
Hockey Reunion Game during the NHL All-Star FANtasy at the Los Angeles
Convention Center was nostalgic and patriotic for the capacity crowd. The
tying goal was scored by 1980 USA Hockey team right wing, Dave Silk, with
30 seconds left in the game.
"It felt great to get out on the ice with these guys again," said Mike
Eruzione, the captain in 1980 and again for today's game. "I think everyone
would agree that this was a wonderful opportunity to relive the magic of the
1980 Olympic Winter Games."
The game was the brainchild of Allstate Insurance Company, the official
Home and Auto insurance sponsor of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games and
2002 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams. Allstate is also a sponsor of the 2002 NHL
All-Star FANtasy. The game was the culmination of a three-month program to
provide Americans with an opportunity to pay tribute to these heroes who
stunned the world with their near impossible run to a gold medal in the Lake
Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games.
"It has been a real pleasure working with this group of role models," said
Rob Apatoff, vice president and chief marketing officer at Allstate. "These
men are examples of what can be achieved when we work together for a common
good. As an official sponsor of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games and
the NHL All-Star Weekend, we wanted to provide Americans with an opportunity
to see these great heroes back together, and relive the moment we remember so
well."
The game was played on a 160-foot by 50-foot ice rink built inside the Los
Angeles Convention Center and featured three, 12 minute periods. Players on
both sides put on a terrific show for the capacity crowd gathered at the NHL
All-Star FANtasy.
"Being here with this group of men today has been terrific," said Herb
Brooks, the coach of the 1980 team and current coach of the 2002 U.S. Olympic
Men's Hockey Team. "These guys are a lasting example of the power of
teamwork."
Leading up to the game, Allstate sponsored four youth clinics at NHL
arenas in Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York with
cooperation from the local teams. Team stars such as Jim Craig, Eruzione and
Jack O'Callahan shared their love for the game, and spoke about the importance
of sportsmanship and teamwork, along with the role patriotism played in their
historic triumph.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held
home and auto insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With
Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate provides home an auto insurance products to more
than 14 million households and has approximately 13,000 exclusive agents in
the U.S. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate
agents, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800-Allstate(SM).
Encompass(SM) and Deerbrook(SM) Insurance brand property and casualty products
are sold exclusively through independent agents.
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company
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Related links:
http://www.allstate.com
CONTACT:
Steve Caric, +1-949-223-2302, or Emily Daly,
+1-847-402-5600, both for Allstate Insurance Company
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