The CFB Valcartier women's broomball team, representing the Quebec region, narrowly defeated CFB Kingston in overtime 2-1 to win the national championship February 26.

CFB Kingston's Lt Rochelle Heudes studies her opponents from the bench during the 2003 Women's Broomball Championship. Photo credit: CPL H.P. VANAYAN

For both Quebec and Ontario, it was déjà vu: the teams had previously met in the finals two years running. For Valcartier, though, the third time was the charm, and they came on strong to avoid a repeat of last year's result where they lost to Ontario, represented by CFB Borden, 2-1.

Valcartier's Master Corporal Sylvie Lapalme, a veteran broomball player with more than 30 years' experience, coached the Valcartier takes women's broomball championship team for the past four years. This season, due to operational requirements, they were short a few players and she gladly stepped in.

"I loved the coaching side of things," she said. "It was a great experience… but I did miss the game and it felt good to be back on the ice."

Going into the nationals, MCpl Lapalme said they were nervous. Key players were deployed and they had few practices as a team." We had a lot of new girls… What we needed to do, though, was play as a team and we did. It was our team spirit that brought us together," she said.

During the round robin, they lost to only one region: Ontario. MCpl Lapalme said that nerves and "butterflies," played a role in the loss.

"We knew we had to be first on the ball," she said. "We needed to play the body and play our game, not their game."

But at the end of regulation time, both teams were scoreless. While they fought for control in overtime, CFB Valcartier generated just enough "steam" to capture the title, said MCpl Lapalme.

Sergeant Linda Chassé of CFB Valcartier was named the tournament MVP, while Captain Pierrette Noël was the game MVP.

CFB Valcartier will represent the CF at the civilian 2003 Canadian Senior Men's and Ladies Broomball Championships from March 31 to April 6, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.

For complete results and information visit: www.cfpsa-borden.ca/.

Ms.Davis is the CFPSA Media Relations Co-ordinator.