You’re right, the pictures of the Soviet players drinking in the American celebration did humanize them. They didn’t look angry or disappointed, they looked fascinated like they had never seen anything like it.
It makes you wonder if they led a somewhat joyless existence despite their amazing hockey prowess. They weren’t just capable of beating amateurs in the Olympics. Just before they played the American Olympic team the Soviets had soundly beaten an NHL championship team.
The Soviets had also crushed the US Olympic team in a practice match. Likely made them overconfident.