Upper St. Clair replaces Hampton in PIHL semifinals

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 | 3:33 PM

The PIHL announced Tuesday that Hampton used an ineligible hockey player in last week's quarterfinal win and therefore will be replaced by Upper St. Clair in the Class AA semifinals.

Hampton self-reported the infraction.

“It's very disappointing for the team,” Hampton athletic director Bill Cardone said. “The kids work hard all year. It's a good group of kids. … To have to tell them that was probably one of the hardest things I've done in 18 years.”

Upper St. Clair will face Armstrong at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the RMU Island Sports Center. Hampton had defeated Upper St. Clair, 1-0, on March 8, but the PIHL has declared that game a forfeit.

“Hampton's athletic director reached out to us,” PIHL commissioner Craig Barnett said. “We went ahead and applied our rules. Unfortunately, they had to forfeit the game and that allowed Upper St. Clair to advance.”

Hampton (9-11) tied for third in the North/West division with 18 points. Upper St. Clair (12-8) tied for second in the South/East with 22.

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.

Tags: Hampton, Upper St. Clair