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Jim Craig: Tim Thomas Epitomizes Hard-Working Bruins

BOSTON (CBS) - Even midway through the season, there were very few people who thought the Bruins could win it all.

Now, their Stanley Cup Championship is reminding some people of another unlikely champion: the 1980 U.S. Olympic team's gold medal, also known as the "miracle on ice."

The goalie of that Olympic squad, Jim Craig, said today's Bruins are a lot like his team.

"They just have a bunch of hard workers that go out and do their job," said Craig.

Craig knows full well about hard work and the payoff. Thirty-one years ago, Craig was the goalie when the Americans won Olympic gold.

"When you see guys willing to make personal sacrifices for the betterment of the overall picture, it's unbelievable," said Craig.

Jim Craig
Jim Craig, the goalie for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team, recently sat down with WBZ-TV.

The Bruins are a hard-working, humble bunch and they are champions. And for Craig, no one more epitomizes the Bruins that goalie Tim Thomas.

"He's willing to do whatever it takes to be the best without strutting around like he is," said Craig. "Look at the hit he put on Sedin. I mean, here's a guy, knowing what he can do, is what needs to be done at that time."

Craig has written a new book ("Gold Medal Strategies), based on his own business practices, and it mirrors these Bruins.

"It doesn't matter what you do if you can't manage through ego and conflict. Look at what the Bruins did. They did that," said Craig.

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