SOUTHPOINTE — Though it ended with a 3-0 PIHL Class AAA first-round playoff loss to Canon McMillan Monday night, the Butler hockey team’s 2012-13 season proved to be a huge step forward for the program.

The Golden Tornado, after returning to varsity competition just a year ago, finished this season with an overall record of 10-12.

“We knew there were talented kids in the district who just had no interest in playing hockey for the high school,” said Butler coach Mike Guentner, who took over midway through the 2011-12 campaign, which yielded just one win. “Our goal this season was to get some wins under our belt and create some interest for the program within the school and community. As far as I am concerned, mission accomplished.”

Though he is pleased with the progress his squad made this year, Guentner was looking for a longer stay in the playoffs. Those hopes took a big hit when Austin Tonkovich’s wrist shot sailed past Butler goalie Logan Rothbauer just 16 seconds into the game.

“The last thing you want is to give up a goal during the first shift,” said Guentner.

Despite giving up two more goals on the night — including one on a Big Macs’ power play in the third period — Rothbauer made several big saves to keep Butler alive. He ended the night with 40 stops.

“Logan did a fantastic job tonight,” said Guentner, who watched his team drop an 8-0 decision to Canon McMillan in the regular-season finale Feb. 25. “We might not have been able to match (Canon McMillan’s) skill and we figured we would lose the battle in shots, but we tried to keep everything to the outside. We wanted to take away from the quality of their shots. Logan gave us a chance to win and that’s what we needed.”

“We struggled at times tonight,” admitted Canon McMillan’s Anthony Tonkovich. “But their goalie came up with some timely saves.”

Rothbauer made three saves in a span of seven seconds in the second period. The third rebound, however, skipped to James Oddi, who was lurking to the left of Butler’s net. His goal made it 2-0 with 16:01 remaining in the period.

Meanwhile, Butler’s offense never did get on track against the Big Mac defense and goalie Ryan Christian.

Seven minutes after Oddi’s tally, Butler forward Troy Double intercepted a pass near Canon McMillan’s blue line and had a breakaway attempt. He never got a shot off, though, as Christian smothered the puck right off Double’s stick.

Later in the period, Nick Whann fed Tanner Gilliland with a perfect centering pass, but the forward’s shot deflected off a Big Mac defender in front of the net.

“We never really recovered from that early goal they scored,” said Guentner. “We had our chances, but they just didn’t go our way.”

Colman Slain scored the game’s final goal 13 seconds into a power play with 6:44 left in the game.

After managing a combined three shots on goal during a pair of power plays in the first period, the Tornado did not receive another advantage until late in the third period when the Big Macs were whistled for three minor infractions in the final 2:58 of the game.

For the last 59 seconds of action, Butler worked with a 6-on-3 edge after pulling Rothbauer.

“It was an ugly win, but a win is a win,” said Austin Tonkovich. “We just have to move on and focus on the next game.”

Christian stopped 20 shots for the Big Macs (12-6-4).

Canon McMillan coach Yuri Krivokhija was not available for comment.