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You've gotta love adult pee-wee hockey.

And you've gotta love Labatt Blue. This bunch of rank amateurs managed only one win in their first nine games. Then, in their last seven, they went 5-1-1 giving up just seven goals against.

What's up with that?

Thrust together by chance and a desire to play the game, the Labatt squad started the season as a group of individuals trying to hone their skills and have some fun. And by the mid-point of the season, it was clear that, player for player, Labatt had the talent to compete, but the results weren't there.

Then, two things happened: the group got serious about improving as a team, and they got outside help. Enter Mario, winner of the E-League Jack Adams Award for best coach of the season. Mario gave this group a focus on team defense and a simple system that got everyone synchronized on the ice and led to a dramatic improvement on the scoreboard.

In their first nine games, Labatt scored an average of 3.0 goals/game; in their last seven, that fell to 2.4/game -- apparently, playing good defense didn't help the offense out too much. But at the same time, goals against per game dropped from 4.4 to 1.0, and that made all the difference and led the Blue to the championship podium.

Let's give credit where credit is due: the team's two leaders at the start of the season, Matt Alfano and Joel Maki, had the biggest impact in turning this team around. Matt herded cats all season, listened to the players, and acted when he needed to; Joel added his huge energy on the ice and led by example when it came time to play defense-first hockey. Other voices made a difference, and every player ultimately contributed to the turnaround, but Matt and Joel led the way.

Everything came together in the playoff finale against the Enforcers, with the trophy on the line and the recent 3-0 victory at the Shark Tank fresh in everyone's memory. In a hard-fought, disciplined game against a determined Enforcer team, Labatt outworked and ultimately outscored their opponent to take home the win. In front of a small gathering of fans on the sidelines, these Cinderellas found themselves celebrating what had seemed the unlikeliest of outcomes at the season's start: a Labatt Blue championship.

Without doubt, the biggest single contributor to the finale win and Labatt's steadiest player over the entire season was their goalie, Rick Seis, winner of the E-League Conn Smythe Trophy. While Labatt's players were learning the game and its leaders were trying to turn the group into a team, Rick gave them a chance on the ice every outing. Over the last seven games, with an effective defense in front of him, Rick delivered five wins, one tie, and a 1-0 loss, highlighted by an outstanding 1.00 GAA.

For now, it looks like the Labatt roster will remain intact, with a few additions expected from the recently completed PHA beginner classes. And next season, everyone will be gunning for the Blue, no longer the upstarts but now the established top dog in the league. Bring it on, we say, bring it on.

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