Cole Caufield was asked late in the University of Wisconsin men's hockey season which of his goals stood out as a favorite. His answer: "The next one."
If Caufield wasn't willing to pick from the 30 he scored for the Badgers in the 2020-21 season, we'll give it a try.
Caufield is one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award that will be presented Friday, and his NCAA-leading goal total is a big reason why.
Here's a countdown of Caufield's best goals of the season for the Badgers, factoring in style, difficulty and big-picture meaning.
When, where: Nov. 24 vs. Penn State at LaBahn Arena
What: An empty-net goal for a hat trick and a 7-3 Badgers lead with 2:03 left in the third period.
How: Caufield fired in from near the blue line after Dominick Mersch forced a turnover.
Season goals: 4
It's an empty-netter for @colecaufield who earns his third of the night!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) November 25, 2020
UW - 7
PSU - 3 pic.twitter.com/495MxOdRiZ
When, where: Jan. 30 vs. Michigan State at LaBahn Arena
What: An empty-net goal to put the Badgers ahead 4-1 at 19:25 of the third period.
How: Caufield poked the puck into open space off a defensive-zone faceoff and scored from the red line.
Season goals: 14
🚨 COLE CAUFIELD EN - 2nd of the game
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) January 30, 2021
4-1 Badgers
2+2 for Cole Caufield today. pic.twitter.com/zx6EDhNexH
When, where: Jan. 22 vs. Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania
What: An even-strength goal to trim the Badgers' deficit to 5-4 at 19:15 of the third period.
How: Caufield banked a sharp-angle shot in off the goalie's pads.
Season goals: 10
📽️: Not sure how it went in, but we don't care! Thats 10 🚨 for Cole Caufield!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 23, 2021
🍎: Kehrer, Holloway pic.twitter.com/keydYsa9a6
When, where: Feb. 6 vs. Minnesota in Minneapolis
What: An even-strength goal for an 8-1 Badgers lead at 11:14 of the third period.
How: Caufield went five-hole again on a different Gophers goalie after a lunging pass from Jack Gorniak sent him into a 1-on-1.
Season goals: 17
📽️: Ladies and gentlemen, Cole Caufield. pic.twitter.com/BINoRG9j7d
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 7, 2021
When, where: Feb. 27 vs. Ohio State at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal for a hat trick and a 5-0 Badgers lead at 1:59 of the third period.
How: Caufield banked in a shot from the goal line off the goalie's pads.
Season goals: 22
📽️: Hold on to your hats, Cole Caufield notched the hatty 🎩🎩🎩
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 27, 2021
🍎: Holloway, Kehrer pic.twitter.com/uHGnEtQEgl
When, where: March 26 vs. Bemidji State in the NCAA first round in Bridgeport, Connecticut
What: An even-strength goal to trim the Badgers' deficit to 5-3 at 14:56 of the third period.
How: Caufield was in the right place on the left side for a rebound of a shot from the right side, and he put the puck into the empty side of the net.
Season goals: 30
📽️: Cole Caufield's second of the game #ColeForHobey
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 26, 2021
Badgers vs. Bemidji on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/maZ461SmHE
When, where: Feb. 27 vs. Ohio State at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal to put the Badgers ahead 1-0 at 11:48 of the first period.
How: Caufield followed his blocked shot with a looping rebound try that got past the goalie.
Season goals: 20
Cole Caufield does it again!!!@BadgerMHockey | #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/GIuTbDz0GV
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) February 27, 2021
When, where: Dec. 3 vs. Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio
What: An even-strength goal to cut the Badgers' deficit to 4-2 at 14:49 of the second period.
How: Caufield got off a good first shot and had the rebound poked out to him by Linus Weissbach.
Season goals: 5
L👀k back: @colecaufield knocks in his own rebound thanks to @Weissbach68! pic.twitter.com/D8Zt7doOHp
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) December 3, 2020
When, where: Jan. 29 vs. Michigan State at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal to increase the Badgers' lead to 4-0 at 14:10 of the second period.
How: Caufield battled around the net to slam in his own rebound.
Season goals: 12
📽️: Cole Caufield goes for ✌️
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 30, 2021
🍎: Pelton-Byce, Inamoto pic.twitter.com/anPmCjs63x
When, where: Jan. 17 vs. Arizona State at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal to give the Badgers a 2-1 lead 10:49 into the first period.
How: Caufield settled a pass from Dylan Holloway and had time to shoot into an empty half of the net.
Season goals: 8
🚨Number 8️⃣ for number 8️⃣‼️
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 18, 2021
Cole Caufield made it 2-1 on the power play!
🍎: Holloway, Weissbach pic.twitter.com/ofFsP7NrpL
When, where: March 26 vs. Bemidji State in the NCAA first round in Bridgeport, Connecticut
What: A power-play goal to cut the Badgers' deficit to 5-2 at 8:19 of the third period.
How: Caufield fought off a defender and worked his way into space in the high slot before beating the goalie to the glove side.
Season goals: 29
📽️ Us: We need a goal here.
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 26, 2021
Cole Caufield: Say less.
🍎: Holloway, Pelton-Byce
Watch the Badgers take on Bemidji live on ESPN2! pic.twitter.com/DhooKVZ8mo
When, where: Feb. 20 vs. Notre Dame at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal to put the Badgers ahead 3-1 at 19:39 of the second period.
How: A quick, firm pass from Ty Pelton-Byce gave Caufield a good amount of space and time to shoot on the right side.
Season goals: 19
🔥 COLE CAUFIELD 🔥@BadgerMHockey | #Badgers pic.twitter.com/wMGxpSv0Cn
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) February 20, 2021
When, where: March 5 vs. Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan
What: A power-play goal for a 3-0 Badgers lead at 7:38 of the second period.
How: Caufield, high in the zone on the left wing after a faceoff, teed up a slap shot off a pass from Linus Weissbach.
Season goals: 23
📽️: The nation's leading scorer, Cole Caufield #ColeForHobey
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 5, 2021
🍎: Weissbach, Pelton-Byce pic.twitter.com/7bGtSWFR5C
When, where: Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota in Minneapolis
What: An even-strength goal to put the Badgers ahead 1-0 at 1:04 of the first period.
How: Caufield scored the first of a few five-hole goals on a breakaway out of the defensive zone.
Season goals: 15
CAUFIELD ON THE BREAKAWAY 🔥@BadgerMHockey | #Badgers pic.twitter.com/F1TTwasuL5
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) February 6, 2021
When, where: Jan. 29 vs. Michigan State at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal to put the Badgers ahead 1-0 at 54 seconds of the first period.
How: Caufield beat the goalie with a quick shot from the right circle.
Season goals: 11
📽️: Just Cole Caufield being Cole Caufield ⚡
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 30, 2021
🍎: Weissbach, Holloway pic.twitter.com/IY0aJBQXaK
When, where: Dec. 4 vs. Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio
What: An even-strength goal to put the Badgers ahead 1-0 at 5:42 of the first period.
How: Caufield cycled around the top of the zone and fired home from a distance through traffic.
Season goals: 6
L👀k back: @colecaufield can shoot from anywhere on the 🧊! pic.twitter.com/dlAkGO4Ui7
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) December 4, 2020
When, where: Nov. 24 vs. Penn State at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal for a 3-0 lead 17:01 into the first period.
How: Caufield went through the pads after splitting two defenders on a zone entry.
Season goals: 2
With his second power-play goal of the series, @colecaufield goes for the five-hole! pic.twitter.com/ZwGtWzWGXk
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) November 24, 2020
When, where: Jan. 10 vs. Minnesota at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal to cut the Badgers' deficit to 4-3 at 4:12 of the third period.
How: Caufield shot quickly from the left circle after a cross-ice pass from Ty Pelton-Byce.
Season goals: 7
What an absolute 🚀 from @colecaufield ‼️ pic.twitter.com/WjVO2V9Xjv
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 10, 2021
When, where: Nov. 24 vs. Penn State at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal for a 6-1 Badgers lead 1:19 into the third period.
How: Caufield drove up the right side and snapped a shot short side.
Season goals: 3
For No. 6: @colecaufield snags his second for the night not a minute later at 18:41 on the clock!
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) November 25, 2020
UW - 6
PSU - 1 pic.twitter.com/Iyzmb08wVI
When, where: March 6 vs. Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan
What: An even-strength goal for a 2-1 Badgers lead at 7:49 of the third period.
How: Dylan Holloway forced a turnover behind the net and fed Caufield alone in front for a putaway between the pads.
Season goals: 25
🚨 COLE CAUFIELD - 2nd of the game (25)
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) March 6, 2021
2-1 Wisconsin#Badgers #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fTqPIiUgft
When, where: Jan. 30 vs. Michigan State at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal to give the Badgers a 3-1 lead at 14:33 of the third period.
How: Caufield beat a sliding goaltender with a one-timer from the left circle.
Season goals: 13
🚨 COLE CAUFIELD PP
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) January 30, 2021
3-1 Badgers pic.twitter.com/TlEG2XczOf
When, where: Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota in Minneapolis
What: An even-strength goal to put the Badgers ahead 2-1 at 13:00 of the third period.
How: Caufield had to control a cross-ice pass from Linus Weissbach on a 2-on-1 rush before firing into the empty part of the net before the goalie could recover.
Season goals: 16
📽️: He leads the NCAA in goals for a reason
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 6, 2021
Cole Caufield's second of the game pic.twitter.com/2u1KRLTshX
When, where: Jan. 21 vs. Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania
What: A power-play goal to give the Badgers a 3-1 lead 14:11 into the third period.
How: Caufield found space inside the left post with a shot from the high slot.
Season goals: 9
📽️: Cole Caufield, a penalty killer's worst nightmare.
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 22, 2021
🍎: Weissbach, Holloway pic.twitter.com/hmdEZ6z2Dj
When, where: March 16 vs. Minnesota in the Big Ten championship in South Bend, Indiana
What: An even-strength goal to cut the Badgers' deficit to 5-4 at 17:49 of the third period.
How: Caufield collected the puck in the left circle after a faceoff and snapped a shot in off the right post.
Season goals: 28
📽️: Cole Caufield. Thats it. Thats the tweet.
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 17, 2021
🍎: Lindmark pic.twitter.com/UoQPsWqEDQ
When, where: Nov. 23 vs. Penn State at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal for a 5-2 Badgers lead 7:16 into the third period.
How: Caufield recovered the puck in the defensive zone to start the play and worked through a challenge at the other end of the ice.
Season goals: 1
Here's a l👀k back at @colecaufield notching his first of the season through the five-hole for the fifth #Badger goal! pic.twitter.com/WHaiby0BTg
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) November 24, 2020
When, where: March 15 vs. Penn State in the Big Ten semifinals in South Bend, Indiana
What: A power-play goal for a 3-3 tie at 14:07 of the third period.
How: Caufield got a defender out of his shooting lane with a quick fake, then had his hard wrist shot kiss off the left post on the way in.
Season goals: 26
📽️: That's 🔟 power-play goals for Cole Caufield 🚨
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 15, 2021
🍎: Weissbach pic.twitter.com/Wj4R9xdL21
When, where: March 15 vs. Penn State in the Big Ten semifinals in South Bend, Indiana
What: An even-strength goal for a 4-3 victory 6:50 into overtime.
How: Caufield caught an excellent long pass from Ty Emberson at the blue line after coming onto the ice and scored between the pads on a breakaway.
Season goals: 27
📽️: Cole Caufield with the heart breaker 💔
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 15, 2021
Next stop: BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.com/NBKN7U2LSz
When, where: Feb. 19 vs. Notre Dame at LaBahn Arena
What: A power-play goal for a 2-2 tie at 9:37 of the second period.
How: Caufield had only a small amount of space at which to shoot in the top left corner and he hit it.
Season goals: 18
CAUFIELD TIES IS UP‼️
— 97.3 The Game (@TheGameMKE) February 20, 2021
The #Badgers are all tied up in Madison💪#Badgers 2, #Irish 2 | 10:23 2P
pic.twitter.com/5dDpLUPei6
When, where: Feb. 27 vs. Ohio State at LaBahn Arena
What: An even-strength goal to give the Badgers at 2-0 lead 37 seconds into the second period.
How: Caufield opened his hips for a 2-on-1 pass from Linus Weissbach and fired a one-timer high into the goal.
Season goals: 21
MAKE IT 21
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) February 27, 2021
🚨 COLE CAUFIELD 2ND OF THE GAME
2-0 Wisconsin
🎥 @fswisconsin pic.twitter.com/mBDep5zzx8
When, where: March 6 vs. Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan
What: A power-play goal for a 1-1 tie at 19:43 of the second period.
How: Caufield took a pass from Linus Weissbach low on the right side, took a step toward the top of the zone and hit an extremely narrow open window between the goalie's head and the right post.
Season goals: 24
📽️: Cole Caufield in his natural habitat 🚨
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) March 6, 2021
🍎: Weissbach, Pelton-Byce pic.twitter.com/vKPBqDmLAB
Todd D. Milewski covers Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey and the UW Athletic Department for the Wisconsin State Journal.
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