With support from Hayley Wickenheiser, Sidney Crosby's parents and Cassie Campbell, just to name a few, the Saint Mary's women's hockey team will live past their March 31 deadline.
That was the day the team was to be eliminated and 14-year head coach Lisa Jordan would have her contract expired.
But after a national outpouring of support, there has been a 30 day reprieve given to the program by university president, Colin Dodds.
"The hockey program is on pause and pause is a good thing," athletic director Steve Sarty said, who attended a rally for the team on Monday.
Around 350 people turned out for the rally held around supper time and featured Sarty and Sue Uteck, wife of the late Larry Uteck who was the former athletic director of Saint Mary's and the man who hired Jordan and started women's hockey at the university.
"This is unbelievable. This is amazing and I'm shocked at the support we have received via phone calls, emails, tweets and person-to-person contact," said Jordan, who doesn't know where she stands at this stage. Her contract was due to terminate at the end of the month but with the reprieve, she is unsure.
The support has come from just about everywhere. Wickenheiser, the women's gold medalist, emailed Sarty but he didn't answer her so she picked up the phone and called him.
Campbell tweeted and Troy and Trina Crosby, Sid's parents who live in the area, sent an email of support.
"I've heard from people all over this country, including male and female hockey coaches," Jordan told TSN.ca. "This is very encouraging."
Sue Uteck, who helped in holding the rally, told TSN.ca that "(the university) was blinded by the amount of feedback from local, regional and national sources. Dr. Dodds read that support and wisely gave the team a 30-day extension. I have received emails and calls from people who have money and want to help."
Some are upset that Jordan was being let go; the only women's coach at the university. This seems to be picking the wrong sport. Maybe cutting track-and-field or rugby would not have drawn that re-action.
20-years ago, St. FX cut their football program. They could have chopped any sport and there would not have been much of a protest, but football and the ghost of legendary coach Don Loney could not be touched. The protest was amazing and within a week the football program was back.
This, with social media and today's communication, is greater. It is Canada's national game and its women. Hell hath no furry like a women's hockey team scorned.
Hockey is our national game. The Tims commercials and now young girls along with young boys proliferate the hockey arenas at all hours to make up our nation of hockey lovers.
Girl's hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in Atlantic Canada, as well as across the nation. You don't cut a hockey program without repercussions. You don't cut the highest level of women's hockey.
"These women hockey players are the highest level we have. There are no girl pro leagues, so we aim to go to university and play for them," said high school hockey player, Sherry Marks.
Even the men's team coach, Trevor Stienburg, offered some donations with the permission of donors; the figure of $10,000 mentioned.
Jordan said that if the board of director does decide to cut the program at the end of the day, she will know that just about every step had been done to save it and that's all she can ask for.
As for the impact of negative publicity on the university; it's a black eye and an obvious misread by athletic director. Steve Sarty. They picked the wrong sport(s) to cut.
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