Hockey organization imposes discipline on Armstrong club after vulgar chants against goalie

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Pennsylvania Interschool Hockey League officials have announced disciplinary action following their investigation into an incident during a game between Armstrong High Schools and the Mars Area.

The Armstrong students chanted vulgarities against the Guardian of Mars on October 28 at the Belmont Ice Arena near Kittanning. This is the Armstrong club rink.

PIHL issued the following consequences of these actions on Thursday:

• Armstrong High School students are not permitted to attend River Hawk hockey games, and the team will be on probation for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, including the playoffs.

• Siblings of college players will continue to be allowed to attend games only if they enter and sit with a parent or guardian during games.

• Armstrong High School will provide a faculty member or administrator to attend each varsity hockey game at home and away to serve as a parent / student / spectator monitor.

The instructor must deal with the inappropriate behavior of spectators before the situation escalates to the point of impacting the game. They must draw attention to the behavior, inform the security officer on site and request that the offending spectators are removed from the ice rink.

The cost of the instructor’s participation in games is to be paid by the Armstrong High School River Hawks Hockey Club.

• A disciplinary hearing will be held to determine further disciplinary action.

When contacted Thursday evening, PIHL Commissioner John Mucha said the actions of Armstrong’s students were “disgusting” and “absolutely more than children being children.”

He supports disciplinary measures.

“This is what the executive committee came up with based on the information provided and speaking to everyone involved in the situation,” Mucha said.

Meghan Duggan, the U.S. women’s hockey Olympian, lent her support to the Mars goalie via Twitter.

“You are more than the hateful words that were addressed to you,” the message read in part. “I am with you.”

Messages left with Armstrong School District officials Thursday night had not been returned.

Michael DiVittorio is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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