Jim Craig's 'Miracle' mask auctions for $138,000

Miracle on Ice goaltender Jim Craig's mask from the famous game has sold for $137,849.

Craig stopped 36 shots as the amateur US team beat the Soviet Union 4-3 in Lake Placid at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The US went on to clinch the gold medal with a 4-2 victory over Finland.

Jim Craig mask
The mask was the top performer of the 17-lot Jim Craig collection

Craig wore the mask for every game of the tournament, and it shows plenty of puck marks and scratches.

The mask was the top seller in a 17-lot sale of Craig's "Miracle" memorabilia.

Also selling well at the Lelands auction on June 17 was the Northland goalie stick Craig used in the final two games. It made $60,653, while his Bauer skates from the last two contests achieved $17,569.

Craig explained his reasons for selling up prior to the sale: "For the past 35 years, these items have been at the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Boston Sports Museum, the New York Sports Museum, and I think we've done a good job showing them because this moment was so big that I truly believe everyone was a part of it.

"But after the 35th anniversary, and after our teammate Bobby Suter died, I thought it was important to be responsible with these pieces to grow and protect the legacy for my family."

While impressive, the results were still short of the record for a piece of Miracle on Ice memorabilia. That is held by US captain Mike Eruzione's jersey from the Soviet Union game, which sold for $657,000 in 2013.

Click here to check out Paul Fraser Collectibles' sports memorabilia for sale.

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