Wisconsin men’s hockey: GOLD MEDALS FOR ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS!

The Wisconsin Badgers hockey program has a long history of producing international competitors, for the United States and Canada, on both the men’s and women’s side of things and Tuesday night’s World Juniors gold medal game was another feather in the cap for UW.

Team USA won the gold medal, 2-0, thanks to a game winning goal from former Badger Alex Turcotte also giving the win to current Badgers Cole Caufield and equipment manager Nate LaPoint. Canadian Dylan Holloway earned a silver medal and it will be great to see all of them back on the ice wearing the same color jersey soon.

The Canadians entered the gold medal game as the favorites, coming off back-to-back shutouts and having only allowed four goals (none during even strength) in six games in the tournament. But in the first period, Turcotte beautifully deflected a Drew Helleson shot from the point to give the Americans the lead and force the Canadians to play from behind for the first time all tournament.

“That was by far the biggest goal I’ve ever scored in my life,” said Turcotte, who was one of eight players that returned from last year’s squad that lost in the quarterfinals. ”It was an unbelievable feeling. It’s a dream come true and to win a gold medal at the world juniors, it’s everything I’d hoped it would be.”

Turcotte finished the tournament third on the team in scoring with three goals and five assists to go along with a +8 rating. He also won 69 faceoffs (nice) to be +10 in the faceoff circle. Caufield added two goals and three assists to go along with a -1 rating. Team USA has now won four of five meetings, and four straight, with Canada in the gold-medal game.