Fred Campatelli Remembers Mike Eruzione’s ‘Other’ 4–3 Victory

In Lynn, they still talk about Mike Eruzione.

When Fred Campatelli (Class of 1972) was being inducted into the Lynn English Hall of Fame at an Oct. 12 dinner at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, Campatelli told the audience the story of how he was the English goaltender when the Bulldogs were beating the Winthrop High Vikings, 3-1, at the old North Shore Sports Center in Lynn.

“I think I set some kind of record, said Campatelli, smiling. “I allowed three goals in 29 seconds. Mike Eruzione was on that team. I think it inspired him for the Olympics.”

Eruzione recalls that memorable 4-3 victory over English. “Chris Costonis scored the three goals and I had three assists,” said Eruzione, who later in the season had a five-goal game against the Bulldogs. Stephen Christopher was the third member of the Vikings’ No. 1 line.

Of course, the 4-3 score is very familiar to hockey fans everywhere. That’s the identical score of the game against the Soviet Union when Captain Mike scored the game-winner for the 1980 Olympic gold medalists.

Two days later, the USA beat Finland and the greatest sports moment of the 20th century (according to Sports Illustrated) was achieved.

And people around the globe still remember Mike Eruzione’s goal and Al Michaels’ unforgettable call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”