For the second straight season, the Bishop Tonnos girls hockey team has won the Catholic city championship.

But the Lady Titans' dream of an undefeated season and provincial glory came to an abrupt end earlier this week with a surprising 1-0 loss to the Nelson Lords at the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference final.

The Titans defended their Catholic city final on Feb. 29 by beating the St. Jean de BrÈbeuf Braves 7-3 at Mountain Arena.

After a perfect 12-0 regular season, the Titans continued their on ice dominance over Hamilton opposition.

Last year the Titans followed their city championship by winning the GHAC title. A second victory at GHAC would have given the team another crack at the provincial gold it narrowly missed last year. The Titans took silver at the 2007 Ontario Federation of School Athletics Associations final.

Heading into the city final versus BrÈbeuf, Titans coach Dino Cavarzan said his team would definitely be ready.

"Every time you're in the playoffs you have to pick up your game, no matter who you play," Mr. Cavarzan said.

Eligibility questions

Adding to the disappointment of the GHAC loss, the team also faced eligibility questions surrounding three of its top players, Brittany Haverstock, Jessica Wong and Laura Fortino.

The players in question dressed for the city final but did not participate in GHAC competition due to eligibility rules.

However, Mike Morton, Catholic board athletics convenor, confirmed this week the players were ruled eligible for regular Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association competition earlier this season by a high-ranking league official.