Colorado Avalanche Cribbage Board, Olympic Hockey, and the Legacy of the Miracle on Ice
- Jon Mullett
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Cribbage King, we love building unique custom cribbage boards that tell stories — about sports history, unforgettable moments in time, and the teams, people and places that are memorable to you. Our latest release, a Colorado Avalanche cribbage board, celebrates one of the NHL’s most exciting franchises - from past legends like "Super" Joe Sakic, Peter "The Great" Forsberg, and "Saint" Patrick Roy - to modern day superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar (both representing Team Canada in the olympics next month). Not only are the Aves having a season for the ages, but hockey fans once again will see the NHL's best in the 2026 men's ice hockey olympic tournament in Milan, Italy. The men's tournament runs from February 11-22 and features NHL players in a 12-team tournament, starting with preliminary rounds through Feb. 15 and concluding with the gold medal game on Feb. 22.
In anticipation of the tournament, let's take a look at this year's men's and women's olympic hockey matchups and some of the greatest upsets in olympic hockey sports history, including the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team and the Miracle on Ice — a defining moment that reshaped how the world sees hockey.👉 Read the original Miracle on Ice tribute .here: https://www.cribbageking.com/post/cribbage-board-commemorating-the-greatest-upset-in-hockey-history
Looking Ahead: Ice Hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics
With the 2026 Winter Olympics approaching, hockey fans are once again turning their attention to international competition — where legends are made and upsets can echo for generations.
Both the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Olympic Tournaments are expected to feature elite talent from around the world, including many NHL stars.
Men’s Tournament Favorites (2026 Projection)
Canada — Deep NHL talent, elite scoring, and strong international pedigree
United States — Young, fast, and stacked with high-end NHL skill
Sweden — Balanced roster with elite defense and goaltending
Finland — Disciplined, structured, and consistently dangerous
Czech Republic — Skilled forwards and strong international performance history
Women’s Tournament Favorites
Canada — A powerhouse with depth, speed, and championship experience
United States — Elite talent and consistent gold-medal contention
Finland — Rising strength and international consistency
Sweden — Competitive and increasingly dangerous
Switzerland — Growing program with strong defensive play
The 5 Biggest Men’s Olympic Hockey Upsets of All Time
Olympic hockey has delivered some of the most shocking and emotional moments in sports history. Here are five of the greatest upsets ever — moments that prove why Olympic hockey remains so compelling:
5. Switzerland defeats Canada (2006 Turin Olympics)
A stunning defensive effort by Switzerland shocked a heavily favored Canadian team.
4. Finland defeats the Soviet Union (1988 Calgary Olympics)
A major upset during an era of Soviet dominance.
3. Belarus defeats Sweden (2002 Salt Lake City Olympics)
A shocking quarterfinal upset capped by a legendary long-range goal.
2. United States defeats the Soviet Union (1960 Squaw Valley Olympics)
An earlier U.S. Olympic miracle that helped lay the groundwork for future upsets.
1. United States defeats the Soviet Union — 1980 Miracle on Ice
The greatest upset in hockey history. A team of American college players defeated the dominant Soviet national team in a moment that transcended sports and became a symbol of belief, resilience, and national pride.
A Colorado Avalanche Cribbage Board
Our 20-inch Colorado Avalanche cribbage board is handcrafted with rich natural wood, bold red and blue resin, and a striking Avalanche logo centerpiece. Designed at coffee table size with three continuous scoring tracks and oversized 3/8-inch pegs, it’s built to be both fully playable and a statement piece for game rooms, fan caves, and living spaces.
Avalanche Players Expected to Factor Into Olympic Hockey
The Colorado Avalanche roster features eight players who are representing their respective countries in the 2026 Olympics.
Nathan MacKinnon (Canada)
Cale Makar (Canada)
Devon Toews (Canada)
Gabriel Landeskog (Sweden)
Artturi Lehkonen (Sweden)
Joel Kiviranta (Finland)
Martin Necas (Czechia)
Brock Nelson (USA)
From Olympic History to Custom Cribbage Boards
From honoring the Miracle on Ice to celebrating modern teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Cribbage King boards are built to capture sports history in physical form. They’re not just game boards — they’re conversation pieces, collectibles, and tributes to moments that matter.
If you’re an Avalanche fan, a hockey historian, or someone who appreciates handcrafted functional art, this Colorado Avalanche custom cribbage board is a bold way to bring Olympic legacy, NHL pride, and game-night tradition into your home.