Wild Players Revel in Team USA's Gold Medal Triumph
ST. PAUL, Minn - Marcus Foligno, a dual citizen, was on the move Sunday, racing from home to the Wild’s practice facility to catch the thrilling United States-Canada gold medal game. The excitement was palpable as Foligno arrived just in time to witness the action unfold.
“Oh yeah, I was flying,” Foligno chuckled. “Made it in record time. No cops today.”
At TRIA Rink, the Wild players gathered in their theater room, a space typically reserved for team meetings, to watch the Americans clinch a 2-1 overtime victory. The atmosphere was electric.
“Stressful,” said Zach Bogosian, a Massena, N.Y. native. “Heart rate was a little higher there for the boys.”
“It was fun being with all the guys and just the reactions from certain shifts,” Foligno added.
“It was awesome,” chimed in Ryan Hartman.
For American-born Wild players like Hartman, Bogosian, and Vinnie Hinostroza, this victory was especially sweet. It marked the first men’s hockey gold medal for the U.S. since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
The contributions from Wild players and staff made it even more significant. Matt Boldy opened the scoring for Team USA, Quinn Hughes earned top defenseman honors, and Brock Faber was pivotal during a crucial penalty kill.
John Hynes, part of the coaching staff, orchestrated a flawless penalty kill strategy, while GM Bill Guerin played a key role in assembling the roster.
The success of Faber, Boldy, and Hughes bodes well for the Wild’s playoff aspirations.
“I think we all want those guys feeling great and obviously healthy is the one thing,” Foligno noted. “But confidence is a big thing.
You can just see it in guys that have it. We just hope they keep rolling, coming back excited and a chance to just keep winning.
That’s what we want to do here. We want to end the season with the Stanley Cup.”
Bogosian shared a special moment at home with his kids, celebrating Boldy’s highlight-reel goal.
“When (Boldy) scored in the first, my kids were freaking out,” Bogosian said.
Boldy, tied with Kirill Kaprizov for the team lead in goals, has been a standout all season. His Olympic performance only solidified his status.
“He’s shown it through a super long stretch of time now,” Bogosian said. “Not that this is his notice-me moment, but he’s been doing that for us all year.”
Hartman echoed the sentiment, highlighting Boldy’s knack for creating magic with the puck.
“I mean, deception,” Foligno added. “The way he skates.
He’s fast. He really can get around guys and then obviously strong on a stick too.”
Foligno, with ties to both the U.S. and Canada, found joy in the game’s outcome regardless of the winner. The gold medal match drew a massive audience, showcasing the sport’s growing appeal.
“It was huge,” Foligno said. “It brings a whole nation together to support a team, support athletes. It’s exciting.”
Bogosian reflected on the momentum from last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, noting the increased viewership.
“Hopefully it just keeps climbing higher and higher in people’s sports events to watch,” Bogosian said. “Because it’s a beautiful game.”
As the Wild gear up for their next NHL challenge, the return of their Olympic stars brings added energy. Faber, Hughes, and Boldy are set to reunite with the team, their Olympic experience fueling the Wild’s playoff push.
Bogosian and Hartman remained in the theater room to watch the medal ceremony, a moment that underscored the team’s camaraderie and pride.
“That was cool to see,” Bogosian said. “It was a beautiful scene for sure.”