For the University of Alberta Pandas women's hockey team, the road to the national championship was not always smooth.
That's what makes this year's national title so special.
Yesterday the Pandas defeated the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 2-1 in the final of the CIS women's hockey championships in Antigonish, N.S.
Jamie Coffin and Jenna Barber scored for the Pandas in the victory, while goaltender Holly Tarleton made 17 saves to preserve the win.
"It was a tough game," said Pandas head coach Howie Draper. "It was very fast and very exciting. They got the first goal on us, which has been a problem for us this year, but we were able to regain our composure and battle back."
Laurissa Kenworthy opened the scoring for the Golden Hawks at the 12:50 mark of the first period.
However, Coffin tied the game less than three minutes from the end of the frame.
Tarleton then scored the eventual winner midway through the second period and the Pandas were able to hold on to claim their fourth national title in the last five years.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game," said Bears forward Tarin Podloski, 19, who was named tournament MVP.
"I think when they scored that first goal, it shocked us a little bit."
The victory avenges a 4-1 loss to the Hawks in last year's final.
It also gives the Pandas their fifth national title in team history.
"It's an amazing feeling to win," Podloski said. "Last year we were so close and lost to them, so it was nice to be able to beat them this year."
Having lost a number of key players from last year's team, expectations on this edition of the Pandas were not as high heading into the season.
However, the team persevered and managed to get into the final with a 3-2 shootout victory over the hosts - St. Francis Xavier - on Saturday night.
"I had to be convinced this team could win a national championship and our leaders convinced me it was possible," said Draper. "Halfway through the year I began to think it was really possible."
Unlike past seasons, where the Pandas breezed through their opposition, which included a 122-game undefeated streak, this year's edition went through some growing pains.
But the team was able to come together when it really mattered, edging the Manitoba Bisons in the Canada West championship to earn a No. 2 ranking going into the national tournament.
"Of all the championships, this one ranks right up there," Draper said. "This was a total team effort. We wouldn't have been able to win the championship if our goaltender wasn't doing her job, if our defence wasn't doing their job and our three lines weren't doing their job.
"We all contributed, which is what makes this so special."
BEARS HAVE EYES ON THE TOP PRIZE
Celebrations were muted for the University of Alberta Golden Bears men's hockey team after claiming the Canada West championship.
On Saturday, the Bears defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 6-1 at the Clare Drake arena to sweep the best-of-three Canada West final 2-0.
While a conference title was nice, it's not the championship they are eyeing.
"It's halfway there," said Bears head coach Eric Thurston. "Maybe later on you can look back on it and enjoy it, but right now, we have bigger fish to fry."
That fish comes in the form of a CIS national title.
On March 23, the Bears begin defence of their national championship when they host the Telus University Cup tournament.
Last year the Bears won the title in an overtime thriller against the Huskies.
This year they go in as favourites to repeat.
