MIDDLESEX TWP — Mt. Lebanon goaltender Ryan Wessbecher laid flat on his stomach, hoping the puck four members of the Butler hockey team and several of his teammates were jostling for wouldn’t sneak behind him.

Wessbecher held on, helping the Blue Devils earn a 1-0 PIHL Class AAA win Monday night at Ice Connection.

It was the second straight loss for the Golden Tornado and the first time they’ve been shut out.

Butler goalie Clay Bachman, who made 19 saves, wants the team to learn from the past two games.

“We’re hoping to build some character and it gives us more experience for the younger guys,” Bachman said.

Butler coach Patrick Hammonds said he wants to see his team bring a strong effort every game. He didn’t feel the Golden Tornado had it against Mt. Lebanon.

“They’re a young team. They have a lot of talent,” Hammonds said. “I tell the guys to remain even, remain mentally even. There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs throughout the season and we need to be mentally tough to rebound and embrace them.”

The Golden Tornado (4-3-1) put the first seven shots on the net to start the game. Mt. Lebanon (4-3-1) didn’t get its first shot until there was 10 minutes, 30 seconds left in the first period.

“We came out and put seven shots on them really quickly and then got frustrated,” Hammonds said. “After that we got away from it.”

After Butler took its first of four penalties a minute later, the Blue Devils found a way to score the game’s only goal.

Garrett Garlick flicked a shot from along the boards that bounced past Bachman.

The Golden Tornado took four penalties in the first two periods. Mt. Lebanon’s aggressive play seemed to knock Butler out of its game-plan.

“I think it frustrated our offense a lot,” Bachman said. “We couldn’t get into our game and set up our offense like we usually do.”

Trevor Gilliland had a good scoring opportunity for Butler with 6:10 left in the first period. Gilliland won the puck in the neutral zone on the penalty kill and got in on Wessbecher, but flipped it high.

Wessbecher finished with 27 saves.

Butler’s best opportunity to score came on the power play with under two minutes left. A shot landed in front of Wessbecher and ended up in a scrum in front of the net.

Mt. Lebanon’s Matthew Simmonds was whistled for a delay of game for laying on the ice in front of the net.

Butler couldn’t score on the ensuing power play as the Blue Devils ran out the clock.

The Golden Tornado went 0-for-4 on the power play, including three opportunities in the third period.

Mt. Lebanon coach Yuri Krivokhija said that’s something he focused on when he scouted Butler.

“They tried to set up Scott and then Gilliland on the back door,” Mt. Lebanon coach Yrui Krivokhija said. “We have to protect the middle and watch those passes. As soon as the puck goes to our net, all four guys have to go to the front of the net and help the goalie.”