HARMAR, PA — The 2018 PIHL St. Margaret’s Fall Face-off began Monday evening at Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville. This year, 16 teams will participate in the tournament, headlined by the 2017 tournament champions, the Pine-Richland Rams.
In the first game of the evening, Mars defeated Shaler, 9-3, in a well rounded performance. The Planets of Mars used both speed and physicality to topple the Titans of Shaler in the first game of Pool B.
The second Pool B game featured the Seneca Valley Raiders against the Bethel Park Blackhawks. Bethel Park had no trouble with the reigning 2018 Class-AAA Penguins Cup champions, as they defeated Seneca Valley 5-1.
The Pine-Richland Rams were ready to start the season fast, scoring 3 quick goals in the first period against the Upper St. Clair Panthers, eventually defeating them 6-3 to open Pool C play.
Butler soundly defeated Montour, 9-4, to wrap up Pool C for the night.
The night finished with the Central Catholic Vikings defeating the Franklin Regional Panthers 5-4 and Canon McMillan overcoming Greater Latrobe, 3-2, in an overtime period that should not have been played. A miscommunication resulted in the extra period being played where Josh Hrip promptly took advantage of the gift.
STANDINGS (as of Monday, September 10)
Pool A:
Armstrong: 0-0
Baldwin: 0-0
Hampton: 0-0
North Allegheny: 0-0
Pool B:
Bethel Park: 1-0
Mars: 1-0
Seneca Valley: 0-1
Shaler: 0-1
Pool C:
Butler: 1-0
Pine-Richland: 1-0
Montour: 0-1
Upper St. Clair: 0-1
Pool D:
Canon-McMillan: 1-0
Pittsburgh Central Catholic: 1-0
Franklin Regional: 0-1
Greater Latrobe: 0-1
More information on games and rules regarding the St. Margaret’s Fall Face-Off can be found here.
