It came down to a deciding game number five but in that winner take all contest, the Eastman Selects U15 AAA team exploded offensively and Evangeline Golding posted a shutout, winning the championship game 9-0.
Golding admits it's still sinking in that they are league champions. "It's something," the humble star says. "It's really exciting and it's a special memory for myself and my teammates."
Looking back over the year, Golding says two key areas helped them find success. "The coaching was so good for us this year," she says with a smile. "They really helped all of us. Everyone on the team loves hockey and something like that really helps us."
Heading into game number five, Golding admits there were some nerves but the team in front of her went to work and she recalls the point where she knew they would be crowned champions. "I think after the second period, I got more comfortable. Those last five minutes, that's where I knew we were going to take it home."
With so many things to think about, Golding's mental strength came through and helped guide her to the final buzzer. "I blocked everything else out and really focused on one thing at a time."
As the goalie for a championship winning team, Golding says it was a little scary seeing everyone tear off the bench and come rushing toward her, but she wouldn't trade that moment for anything. "It's a little scary, yeah, but it's so exciting. It's scary in a good way. It's great, it's just so great. I love this year, it was amazing."
Looking back, Golding says she always knew she wanted to be a goalie. "I think I was about eight, my team did rounds where one player at a time would be goalie and every time, I wanted to be in. I'd get mad when I wasn't. I was nine when me and one of my goalie partners did a split year and that's when I really knew I wanted to do this."
While Golding was convinced early, her parent's took a little time to come around. "Yeah, they didn't really like it," she says with a chuckle. "They've warmed up to it. They were scared for me. All that pressure, the harder shots as I got older, all that."
Since really committing to the position, Golding has put in the work to get better each and every day. "It's been hard," she says with determination. "All the coaching has really helped, so has the support from my family. That's meant so much to me. I think this year was my best year. I think I started this season off strong, I had a weak patch a couple of months ago, but I bounced back. I think I advanced quite a bit this year."
There's still a lot of hockey left for Golding and she has her sights set on . "I'm hoping to play AAA in a couple of years, U18. I'm hoping to then go play college or university hockey."
Seeing the PWHL really taking off, Golding says it's a special time for young women in the sport. "It's been really exciting. It's amazing to see all those options open up and to see girls hockey becoming more popular now."
The 14-year-old cant help but smile and admit it's crossed her mind when asked if one day, she dreams of hearing at the PWHL Draft, 'From Grande Pointe, Manitoba, we are proud to select, goaltender Evangeline Golding'.
"I may have thought about that a little", she says shyly. "The thought makes me smile, for sure."