We did it.

The Spartan hockey team, overcoming everything from rampant illness, losing captain Drew Miller to the NHL and a myriad of other setbacks, bested Boston College in the 2007 NCAA national championship game.

Much like they had been during the season, in the beginning of the game, the Spartans were the underdogs. Down by one goal to the fast and athletic Eagles, things looked pretty dire for the Spartans throughout most of the game.

But then goaltender Jeff Lerg came in with a glove save on a two-on-one rush in the third period, inspiring the Spartans. After that, came sophomore forward Tim Kennedy's score to tie the game midway through the third period.

And then, with only 18.9 seconds left on the clock, sophomore forward Justin Abdelkader broke the tie with a pristine shot to clinch the game.

It was fantastic to see the Spartans take the third national championship after such a long, tough game. After a 21-year absence — our last title in 1986 — the championship trophy is finally back where it belongs.

Beyond serving as sweet vindication after a particularly brutal game, the victory also serves to silence detractors, namely those who have criticized MSU head coach Rick Comley. For five long years, Comley has taken grief from Spartans hockey fans and critics — and this year, he delivered the championship.

He didn't do anything special or different this season; he is just a capable, talented coach dealing with a fantastic and resilient group of individuals and is one who has proven himself capable of great things.

But beyond Comley's superb coaching, the Spartans hockey team came to win and displayed a grit and toughness not often seen on college ice. No victory came easy for the Spartans, and they had more than their fair share of setbacks. But, nevertheless, they persevered and delivered a tough, brutal and ultimately fantastic season.

The general consensus among fans and commentators alike was that this year, the Spartans wouldn't get very far. Even by the middle of the season, few expected our team to get to the Frozen Four, let alone actually take the championship.

With only 1.2 seconds left, junior forward Chris Mueller scored the Spartans' final goal on an empty net, as the Eagles had ditched their goaltender in desperation. The final shot, with so little time left, served only as the triumphant punctuation at the end of a season in which the Spartans defied expectations, flew in the face of their critics and emerged victorious.

Congratulations. Now it's time to celebrate.