It took a last-minute goal but that will not bother University Blue, which celebrated its 1-1 draw with Albany A in premier men's hockey on Saturday.
In a dress-rehearsal for the final in two weeks, the teams looked evenly matched.
Matthew Johl sealed the draw for University late in the game when he jumped on a lose ball inside the circle, after both teams scrambled for possession in front of the goal.
Until that point, only some individual brilliance from Kane Russell, on the stroke of halftime, separated the two teams.
Russell weaved in and around the University defence, taking his reverse-stick shot from the edge of the circle and beating at least five defenders in the process, to give Albany a one-goal lead.
It was like a game of tennis, with both teams going back and fourth on attack.
Albany looked to have the game in hand with two minutes to play, after it had repelled a University attack for 10 minutes without conceding a goal.
Damien Watson provided the spark for University, driving towards the goal with aggression and forcing Albany to give away a penalty corner.
It was from that penalty corner that Johl was able to score after it had been saved and University was able the launch another attack.
The University players did not hide their emotions after the goal, showing how much the game meant to them.
Albany will feel slightly robbed, after it had done enough for 59 minutes to secure the win.
University will be able to take a lot of confidence from the game. The students had three starting players out and will now fancy their chances in the final.
