PIHL follows PIAA in pushing back Penguins Cup games

By JOSE NEGRON & JOE SAGER

jnegron@yourmvi.com

The PIHL has postponed events, including the Varsity Penguins Cup championship games and Varsity Class B championship game, for at least the next two weeks due to concerns regarding COVID-19. 

Thomas Jefferson was scheduled to face Indiana for the Class A championship 8:30 p.m. Monday at the RMU Island Sports Center, while Ringgold was slated to battle Carrick for the Class B crown Tuesday at the same time and place. 

While high school hockey does not fall under the PIAA jurisdiction, the PIHL serves as the sport’s governing body for a majority of Western Pennsylvania programs.

“Even though we’re not a part of the PIAA, we certainly respect their decisions,” PIHL commissioner John Mucha said. “The PIAA recommended a two-week break in order for schools to gather more information and get things organized. We’re going to follow those guidelines, too.

“At the end of day, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of everybody,” he continued. “We looked at maybe, down the road, the possibility of playing without family and fans in attendance, but they are such an instrumental part of the kids’ lives that we didn’t want to do that.”

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