Thumbs up to Jack Gorniak's cheering section!

MONTREAL - Prospect Jack Gorniak will never forget his first taste of the "Border Battle" pitting his University of Wisconsin Badgers against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

It just so happened that the 19-year-old freshman registered his first career goal in the NCAA ranks on Saturday night, capping the scoring with an empty-net tally in a 3-1 victory at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI.
Netting the insurance marker was surely exciting for Gorniak, but it was equally thrilling for his former high school squad - the West Salem Panthers - who were in attendance to witness the special moment in person.
Here's hoping it's the first of many, many more for the speedy forward.

Earlier in the day, the Panthers visited with their former captain and spent some quality time with Badgers head coach Tony Granato as well.

A fourth-round pick of the Canadiens at the 2018 NHL Draft, Gorniak also has an assist on his resume through 10 games so far this season.

Panel photo credit: Greg Anderson / UW Athletics