With the NHL lockout reaching its 90th day, it appears as if the PIHL has become the focus in Westmoreland County. Commissioner Ed Sam agrees. “I think it is somewhat in the lack of NHL hockey,” said Sam, regardinghigher attendance at games this season. “High school hockey is continuingto grow every year.” As the attendance is increasing, the PIHL made strides to bring in moreplayers and teams to the organization as well. Sam implemented the “Open Division” this year, allowing new teams andplayers to get ice time that would have had to seek travel teams forcompetition. “Overall, the idea of growing the sports and teams to develop,” Sam said.”This (Open Division) allows associations to grow and get stronger.” With the recent events in the NBA involving crowd and player involvement,Sam and the PIHL issued a statement to drive home the fact that the leaguewould not tolerate un-sportsmen-like conduct from anyone. “I think overall the referees are in control and doing a good job,” Samsaid. “We have to control the attitudes on the ice.” Check out them on the web at www.pihlweb.com for stats, schedules and news. Stat Lists Class AAA PIHL Points Top 5 1. Tyler Murovich, Mt. Lebanon30 2. Tony Valerino, Mt. Lebanon28 3. Nick Whaley, Penn-Trafford26 4. Michael Diethorn, Bethel Park21 5. Timothy O’Brien, Bethel Park20 PIHL Top 5 Goalies 1. Mike Macielak, Meadville 2. Rick McLuckie, Bethel Park 3. Jeff Kristan, Bethel Park 4. Bryce Merriam, Bethel Park 5. Matt Vaughan, Mt. Lebanon Class AA PIHL Points Top 5 1. Ryne Savisky, West Allegheny30 2. Mario Panucci, Montour25 3. Ryan Kumpfmiller, West Allegheny24 4. Ian Skacan, West Allegheny22 5. Zachary Perry, Montour22 PIHL Top 5 Goalies 1. Nicholas Gialloreto, Montour 2. Kyke Mortimer, West Allegheny 3. Jason Hendrick, Greater Latrobe 4. Michael Kennedy, Indiana Area 5. Rob Madore, Peters Township Open Division PIHL Points Top 5 1. Tom Miller, Chartiers Valley46 2. Eddie Olczyk, Chartiers Valley40 3. Ryan Jones, Penn Hills39 4. Daniel Tonini, Ringgold37 5. Ryan Kelly, Chartiers Valley31 PIHL Top 5 Goalies 1. Dan Padqelek, Chartiers Valley 2. Dean Cooper, Ringgold 3. Nicholas McKeever, Penn Hills 4. M. Kidd, Chartiers Valley 5. Zack Cullen, Penn Hills Offical PIHL Team Power Rankings Class AAA 1. Bethel Park14.11 2. North Allegheny13.93 3. Mt. Lebanon12.76 4. Plum12.09 5. Penn-Trafford12.04 Class AA 1. Canon McMillan13.02 2. West Allegheny12.92 3. Peters Township12.61 4. Montour12.39 5. Greensburg Central Catholic11.70 Class A 1. Serra Catholic14.46 2. Quaker Valley12.66 3. Sewickley Academy12.52 4. Bishop McCory11.60 5. Mars11.54 Open Division 1. Penn Hills13.91 2. Charties Valley13.22 3. Wheeling Park12.41 4. Carrick11.90 5. Ringgold10.58 Weekly notables: Class AAA – Franklin Regional defeated State College 4-1 last Monday, as Ryan Kramer, Ryan Gallagher, Brandon Humberger and Joe Ferriero scored for the Panthers. Norwin fell to powerhouse North Hills 11-1, getting goals from Mike Ulicny and Jim Recupero in the loss. On Friday, the Panthers trounced Kiski Area 7-1, getting two goals apiece from Joe Nicoletti and Joel Sirianni. Goaltender Adam Treml earned the victory. – Hempfield Area blanked Kiski Area 3-0 to claim its first win of the season earlier in the week. – Also in Friday’s action, Penn-Trafford fell to Plum 3-1, as the Warriors only goal was scored by Kyle Sidle. Class AA – Greensburg Central Catholic pummelled Elizabeth Forward 8-0, geting a hat trick from Doug Francken and Alfonso Arelvello. Ryan Humanics earned the shutout in net. – Kittanning () blanked Johnstown 9-0 and Greater Latrobe () defeated Blackhawk 6-3. Open Division – This week in local action, Ringgold () fell victim to Woodland Hills 8-6, while Connellsville Area () was defeated by Linsly School 6-2 and Trinity 4-3 in overtime, earlier in the week. This week’s matchups Class AAA Monday, Kiski battles Penn-Trafford, Gateway hosts Norwin and Franklin Regional squares off with Hempfield Area. Later in the week on Thursday, Franklin Regional travels to Baldwin, Kiski Area plays McDowell and Norwin faces Plum. On Friday, Penn-Trafford hosts Fox Chapel and Hempfield Area plays Shaler. Class AA Monday, Greater Latrobe hosts Hampton and then travels to Indiana Area on Wednesday. On Thursday, Greensburg Central Catholic plays Johnstown and Kittanning will play Bishop Canevin. Open Division Friday, Valley travels to Wheeling Central Catholic.

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