NCHC: In Case You Need More Troy Terry
Posted by: Avash KalraThe Denver Pioneers welcomed back forward Troy Terry on Saturday, just 48 hours after his shootout goal against Canada propelled Team USA to a memorable gold medal win at the World Junior Championships. You can ready all about the homecoming — and his now famous ‘5-hole’ shootout strategy — here.
But another layer to Terry’s story this week was his palpable humility. After Saturday’s 6-1 win by the Pioneers vs. Arizona State — Terry had 2 goals, 3 assists — the 19-year old sophomore fielded question after question about his week. First beating Russia. Then Canada. Then the social media attention from celebrities and professional athletes.
Clearly grateful, he seemed to catch himself often, making sure to deflect some of the attention.
“It was really amazing,” said Terry of his whirlwind week. “I get a lot of attention for the shootouts, and some people only remember that, but we played such a good team game in both of those.”
As for the possibility of buying a ‘Five Hole Terry’ t-shirt?
“I know a lot of the guys have ordered them already,” said Terry, shaking his head seemingly in both disbelief and embarrassment. “I don’t know. It would be cool to have one I guess, but I don’t think you’ll see me wearing it around.”
What we will see, going forward it seems, is Terry returning to wearing his familiar No. 19 Denver jersey (he donned the No. 20 at the WJC). Alongside him will be No. 7, Dylan Gambrell, and No. 5, Henrik Borgstrom — the Pioneers’ only three forwards on the roster drafted by the NHL, loaded up on the top line. Borgstrom was a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers last summer, and like Terry, scored two goals on Saturday.
“That’s the plan moving forward,” revealed head coach Jim Montgomery after the game. “Let’s see how effective they can be and how much they can grow.”
They created havoc in the Sun Devils defensive zone on Saturday, possessing the puck for long stretches and punishing Arizona State with dizzying passing plays.
Continued Montgomery, “We hope they can stay together. Obviously, other teams are going to load up and play their best checking line and two best defensemen against them. But when you do have skill like that, it’s kind of like our top line last year, they found ways to make plays no matter who they played against.”
Denver heads on a four game road stretch now — at Western Michigan this weekend, and then next weekend at St. Cloud State, where Troy Terry will reunite with his Team USA coach, Bob Motzko.
Check CHN tomorrow for a full feature on Motzko.
