Denver native becomes American hockey hero

Troy Terry a sophomore forward from the University of Denver, who grew up in the Mile High City, became a USA Hockey legend on Wednesday. His performance in the World Junior Championship’s semifinal game (Hockey’s international under 20 tournament) won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

The United States faced Russia for the chance at gold in the WJC and the score remained locked at three after regulation time. A scoreless overtime led to a shootout. It’s key to note that NHL shootouts are different from IIHF (Intentional Ice Hockey Federation) shootouts. IIHF shootouts are five shooters long, and if more shooters are needed, a team is able to to reuse a player as many times as they want. This notably happened with Jonathan Toews in the 2007 tournament and T.J. Oshie in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

A goal by Russia started the shootout and the score held at 1-0 Russia after three rounds. Terry was the Americans fourth shooter, he cashed:

Troy Terry's first shootout goal to keep the USA alive was a thing of beauty! #WJC2017 pic.twitter.com/AlQvS2al1v

— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 4, 2017

That goal was essential as Russia answered right back and would’ve won it had Terry not scored.

Vorobyov goal in the bottom of the 4th pic.twitter.com/1Bz6JW0hBC

— steph (@myregularface) January 4, 2017

With the Americans down 2-1 it looked like it might be over. They needed a score and a stop in the fifth to extend it to extra rounds.

Jeremy Bracco provided the score to tie it at two, Tyler Parsons added the stop. The game went to sudden death shootout.

The Americans called on the Pioneer Terry, who scored in the fourth. He put the puck between the pipes with his slick dangling.

Here’s the second Terry goal that extended the shootout for USA. Just nasty pic.twitter.com/1ZQYYOMRW0

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 4, 2017

But Russia answered right back in the sixth and the game was onto the seventh round of the shootout.

The Americans called on Terry once more. Seeking his third goal of the shootout he went forehand-backhand-five hole to win it for the Americans and send them to the gold medal game.

Troy Terry beats Russia with his third goal in the shootout. USA advances to gold medal game pic.twitter.com/m6XBLHIk9y

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 4, 2017

🇺🇸 DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES 🇺🇸https://t.co/vNvR3259aK pic.twitter.com/3WyGYwwErG

— SB Nation NHL (@SBNation_NHL) January 4, 2017

Team USA celebrates. #WJC2017 pic.twitter.com/KaahLqjV7f

— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 4, 2017

pic.twitter.com/cCyfBjtVu5

— steph (@myregularface) January 4, 2017

For a kid that dreamed about just taking the ice at Magness Arena, Terry at age 19 has already become a part of USA Hockey history.

Congrats to @USAHockeyScores on a great win and OMG was @tterry28 incredible! #filthymitts

— Jim Montgomery (@StarsMonty) January 4, 2017

Troy Terry and United States will play either Canada or Sweden in the gold medal game on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. ET in the Bell Centre in Montreal