The Quinnipiac men’s hockey team is celebrating its first national championship.

After the team's third trip to the national title game, the Quinnipiac men’s hockey team can now say it's the best.

"I had a little bit of a meltdown after we won. I was probably worse on the bench. I kept hugging some of my assistant coaches so they couldn't see me crying. I was a mess. Like I mean just emotions to win that at that level," said Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold.

In his 19th season, Pecknold has taken his Bobcats from a struggling Division II team to a Division I powerhouse.

"I know those early years it was a grind. It was tough. Grinding out, but I just always found a way and always made steps as we've been here at Quinnipiac," said Pecknold.

"The entire program is a tribute to his hard work, his attention to detail and he is obviously an incredible hockey coach," said former Quinnipiac captain Soren Jonzzon.

Jonzzon played for the Bobcats' 2013 and 2016 teams that last went to national title games. He was at Saturday's game for the overtime thriller to beat Minnesota.

"I was sitting with three other former players, and with it coming so quickly right off the faceoff in overtime, went from a nervous energy with overtime in the playoffs to definitely just over the moon with excitement," said Jonzzon.

Bobcats past and present say the team's success is only the beginning.

"I can't imagine this is the end of the road of success for us," said Jonzzon.

Pecknold has won 615 games. He's come a long way from starting part-time at Quinnipiac and teaching during the day at North Haven High School.