Buffalo’s Emily Pfalzer is an Olympic gold medalist.

As she stands at the peak of women's ice hockey, those with Pfalzer at the beginning of her time on the ice reflect on the journey she's taken to the top.

"This is kind of what she's been working for her entire life. She definitely earns it. She puts her blood, sweat and tears out on that ice and to bring a medal back to Buffalo is really awesome,” said Jacquie Greco, Buffalo Beauts defenseman.

"It's almost surreal, really, when you're watching TV and it's over in South Korea and you say 'I know this girl' and she came through the school that I work at. And she was a great athlete here and now she's become a friend and a person that is big in the Nichols community. It's just really fantastic to see that success and be able to watch her worlds away on TV winning a gold medal,” said Rob Stewart, Nichols athletic director.

Pfalzer's had plenty of success from Nichols to Boston College and professionally with the Buffalo Beauts, but this golden experience at the Olympics is not only life-changing for her, but could be for others looking to be her.

"The Buffalo Beauts and the NWHL were started for grassroots hockey to help grow women's hockey and when you see something like that, a game like we saw and the completion of it and you know that one of your players that you worked with and coached along the way has achieved the pinnacle of women's hockey, it's a great feeling,” said Ric Seiling, Buffalo Beauts head coach.

An achievement rooted in Buffalo.