January 25, 1990
Mike “Miracle” Lang never sang with Smokey Robinson. And his mom was still helping him lace up his skates when the US Olympic hockey team won the gold medal at Lake Placid in 1989, “The Miracle on Ice.”
So how did he get his nickname? Well, Thursday night might be a good illustration. With William Tennent’s undefeated hockey team (80 at the time) trailing Cherry Hill East, 4-1 in the second period, Lang figured it was time to get down to business “Eight-to-one does not look as good 9-0,” Lang said.
It was the biggest deficit the Panthers had faced all year, but “Miracle” Mike Lang was just getting started.
He began the comeback in the second period by taking linemate Paul Gregg’s feed from behind the net and slamming it home. Later, Lang tied the game with his third goal of period.
“I put a couple moves on the defenseman and went wide and the goalie followed me. So I came behind the net and used one of those wrap-around stuff shots,” said Lang, in describing the tying goal.
After Cherry Hill East and Tennent
traded third-period scores, the game was tied with less than 2 minutes to play. Again, it was Lang, with a slap shot from the top of the circle, notching the game-winner.
“He single-handedly engineered the comeback.” Tennent coach Joe Paul said. “The kid is a machine, pure goal scorer, and he has been the last 10 years, on any team he has played for. I have had him for the last four years. His nickname is ‘Miracle’ because in any situation, the kids look to him, he can make it happen.”
This year, Lang, a senior, has 24 goals, 23 assists, and 47 points for the 9-0-1 Panthers. His plus-minus rating of plus-49 (goals scored minus goals allowed while he is on the ice), shows that he is more than just a prolific scorer; he plays defense, too. And he has accomplished all of this in spite of his slight frame (5 feet, 4 inches and 130 pounds)
“Mike could play Division I hockey “Paul said. “But it’s going to take a coach willing to take a chance. I don’t know how many would do that.” Whatever the odds, don’t count him out.
The original
