In the immediate aftermath of the 3-2 triple-overtime loss to rival Bethel Park in the PIHL Class AAA Penguin Cup semifinals last week, the members of the Mt. Lebanon hockey team weren't in much of a mood to look back and appreciate a 19-2-2 season.

But as time passed -- leading scorer Brooks Behling said the revelation came when some players got together for a roller hockey game -- the Blue Devils could more fondly recollect the 18-game unbeaten streak that preceded the loss more than the loss itself.

"Overall, it would be hard to say it wasn't a fun year," senior goalie Rob Behling said. "We were disappointed about how it ended. Obviously, our goal before the season -- like every team's goal -- was to win the state championship, so that loss was disappointing, but there were so many fun things about this year that it would be hard to say it wasn't a good year."

Mt. Lebanon had the second-best record in Class AAA and had only lost to top-seed Pine-Richland in the regular season. The Blue Devils were the Section 1 champions and allowed fewer goals than any other team.

It was the second consecutive Penguin Cup semifinal loss for the Blue Devils after their undefeated state championship run of 2006. Coach Paul Taibi was not yet ready to accentuate the positives when talking to his players immediately after the loss to Bethel.

"To be honest, I didn't really emphasize that record," Taibi said. "We always try to impress upon these kids to improve.

"We were seeded No. 2 overall, but basically from seeds 2 to 10, there wasn't much difference between the teams and it showed in this postseason."

Among the season's highlights was the performance of goaltender Rob Behling, who led the PIHL with an eye-popping 0.89 goals-against average. He had a .944 save percentage with eight shutouts and a 12-1-2 record. But he is willing to deflect any credit onto the Blue Devils' air-tight defensive system.

"Its so relieving because you only have to see 10 or 15 shots; I only saw more than 15 shots, I think, two games this year, so that makes my job easy," Behling said.

"The goals-against average stat is more of a team stat, and they are a lock-down 'D.'"

As modest as he is, Rob Behling has proven talent. He plays for the Pittsburgh Predators Midget Major team and hopes to hook up with a major junior team for next season.

Seniors Mike Roman, Luke Sebastian and Taylor Phillips were a big part of that defense. Those three also contributed offensively, with Roman finishing as the team's third-leading scorer in the regular season and Phillips eighth.

Also among the 11 seniors was forward Jonathan Wilen, who finished second on the team with 24 points in the regular season.

"It will be hard playing without [the departing seniors]," Brooks Behling said.

Still, Mt. Lebanon has enough left to make its customary run again next year. That includes Brooks, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in the regular season, forward Doug Patrick and backup goalie freshman Travis Lisowski.

"As long as Paul Taibi is there, Mt. Lebanon always will be in contention for the Penguin Cup and state championship," Rob Behling said.