One more game.

That's what stands between the Butler Elementary in-line hockey team and a second straight perfect season.

The squad, made up of players in second through fifth grades, is the No. 1 seed in the Tier I fall season playoffs after posting an 8-0 regular season record and defeating North Allegheny Black 8-5 in the semifinals last Saturday.

"This group of kids always gives you three periods," said assistant coach Michael Denny. "They've got a passion to play their very best and it's very easy to coach them."

Butler will face Hempfield (9-0), another unbeaten team, in the league championship at the Neville Island Sports Complex at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The team's stiffest test to date was its final regular season game against Bethel Park Dec. 3. Butler prevailed, 11-10 in overtime.

"That was by far our toughest game of the year," said Denny. "It was the best elementary game I've ever seen."

Bethel Park lost to Hempfield, 9-6, in the other semifinal.

"Hempfield's got one of the top players in Pennsylvania," said Denny. "He's a defenseman, but can also score goals. My son plays with him on a traveling team and he's a phenomenal player.

"We're excited about playing Hempfield," added Denny. "Just the way the schedule worked out this season, we haven't played them yet. It's going to be two undefeated teams going at it."

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Roller Hockey League's Elementary Division holds two seasons: the fall season from October until December and the winter season from January to March.

Most of the youngsters on this year's team are no strangers to an unbeaten record.

Butler's inaugural season in elementary play was the fall of 2004, and the team had a strong showing with a second-place finish before winning the winter slate earlier this year with a 10-0 record.

That, coupled with the team's perfect run so far this season, puts the squad's current win streak at 19.

"The team had a lot of confidence coming into this year," said Denny. "We've got a real unique bunch of kids. They just seem to rise to the occasion."

Butler, which is led by head coach Mike Wehrli, has not just defeated its opponents this season, it has dominated them to the tune of an 84-33 difference in goals scored.

The regular season yielded wins over Canon-McMillan (9-3 and 7-3), Chartiers Valley (8-3), Shaler (11-0), Seneca Valley (13-2), North Allegheny Gold (11-4), North Allegheny Black (6-3), along with the victory over Bethel Park.

"We are a well-balanced team," said Denny. "The stats show that we are the best defensive team in the league. And offensively, we are right up there with the best teams."