"happy Birthday!"

　　On February 28th, Mark Pavlic’s teammates gave him his 63rd birthday wishes.

At this time 41 years ago, they were writing miracles and glory.

Screenshot of U.S. Hockey Association obituary

　　In 1980, at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, Mark Pavlic and his teammates represented the American ice hockey team in the semifinals, defeating the Soviet team for four consecutive championships, and defeated Finland in the final, creating an "ice miracle." ".

　　In the game against the Soviet Union, Pavelic sent two key assists and became one of the heroes leading the counterattack.

　　The well-known magazine "Sports Illustrated" named "Miracle on Ice" as the greatest sports moment of the 20th century.

This timeless classic was remade into a movie in 2004.

　　However, more than 40 years later, four days after Pavelic’s 63rd birthday, he was found dead in a nursing home in Sauk Center, Minnesota.

　　One month later, the forensic investigation revealed that Pavlic committed suicide by suffocation and found a plastic bag on his head.

Pavelic, the heroic player who created the "Miracle on Ice", ended his life at the age of 63.

　　Whether it's family or teammates, it's hard to believe that Pavelic ended his life in this way.

　　In their eyes, Pavelic is a kind, generous, introverted, and quiet person. He is not good at provoking disputes.

　　Baker was Pavelic's teammate back then.

Last month, the two also took a walk for an hour near the nursing home.

"He looks very optimistic, and we also talked about our common hobby-hunting and fishing." Baker said.

　　"We still remember that he walked with his pet dog at 4:30 in the morning. He was helpful and often visited family and friends. He liked coffee and smoked fish. After a trip, he showed us his favorite spots. What we miss most is his smile and love." Pavelic's nursing home issued a message in memory of him.

In the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics ice hockey semi-finals, a clip of the game between the US team and the Soviet team.

　　Of course, for Pavelic, hockey is the favorite of his life.

　　Pavlic, who grew up in Evelles in the northern United States, was influenced by the strong atmosphere of ice hockey since childhood and aspires to become an ice hockey player and participate in the Olympics.

　　As a child, Pavelic used to get up before dawn to practice. After other athletes left, he continued to practice, and continued until late, so that Pavelic’s parents sometimes had to drag him home by force.

　　In ice hockey where the physical confrontation is extremely fierce, Pavlic, who is 1.73 meters tall, does not actually dominate, but he has been working hard to make up for his shortcomings with skill, speed and willpower.

In the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics ice hockey semi-finals, a clip of the game between the US team and the Soviet team.

　　In the eyes of his teammates, Pavelic is a selfless player. "He is a center with a sixth sense. He can always find an open position and give the winger a quick pass or shoot."

　　"He will pass the ball to me when facing an empty goal after passing two defenders and let me score... Pavelic plays ice hockey because he loves the sport, not fame."

　　"He is very quiet in front of strangers, but he is very willing to open up to those close to him. He has a lot of spotlights on him, but he doesn't like this, and always wants to avoid it, so that many people misunderstand him as an arrogant person. In fact He is the least arrogant."

In the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics ice hockey semi-finals, a clip of the game between the US team and the Soviet team.

　　Before the forensic investigation results came out, teammates speculated that Pavelic might have died of a heart attack.

But Pavelic’s sister believed that it was traumatic brain disease that caused Pavelic’s death.

　　As early as August 2019, Pavelic was involved in an attack.

　　Neighbors accused Pavelic of attacking him with a metal rod, causing him to break two ribs, bruise his kidneys and fracture his spine.

However, Pavelic also accused his neighbors of adding spices to his beer.

　　In October 2020, Pavelic was found to be incapable of accepting accusations. A psychologist believed that Pavelic had post-traumatic stress disorder and cognitive impairment caused by brain trauma.

　　Before being involved in the attack, neighbors often called the police, saying that Pavelic's behavior was strange.

It was revealed that Pavelic had accused his neighbors of dumping sludge into his car's fuel tank, accused the neighbors of poisonous biscuits, and put the biscuits in the refrigerator as evidence.

In the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics ice hockey semi-finals, the American team and the Soviet team successfully reversed the game.

　　Pavelic’s sister believes that Pavelic’s changes originated in 2012, when his wife Carla accidentally fell from a building. Since then, Pavelic has fallen into “chaos and contradictions”.

　　However, some analysis indicated that Pavelic’s traumatic brain disease mainly originated from frequent head hits during the athlete’s time.

　　Pavelic's situation has been found in dozens of retired athletes, who have suffered mental disorders in their later life.

This disease can only be diagnosed after death. The American NFL star Juniol-So was detected with brain damage after committing suicide.

Former NHL player Micheletti issued a message in memory of Pavelic.

　　In any case, the hero who led the miracle on the ice ended his life in an embarrassing way.

　　Perhaps the era that belonged to Pavelic was too long, and the departure of such a legendary general did not arouse much discussion.

However, for the low-key Pavelic, this may also be his favorite way.

(Author Bian Liqun)