"Mr. High School Sports" - PIHL Game of the Week: Hampton Holds Off Hilltoppers
By Matt Popchock
Despite playing without top scorer Luke Leya, who has missed recent time with a concussion, the Talbots proved they're a road dog that can still bark.
Zach Kosick's power play goal from the right wing circle late in the third period gave Hampton (9-1-1) a significant 3-2 win over Westmont Hilltop at the Cambria County War Memorial Tuesday night.
Not only did the tenth of the year by Kosick, the team's second-leading scorer, give the A-Sec. 4 leader its fifth straight win, it also shook up the standings in Section 3.
The Hilltoppers (7-4-2) dropped to second place behind Freeport, which can take the outright lead in that grouping if it beats Bishop McCort Thursday night.
Hampton sits in the No. 3 spot in the Penguins Cup Playoff picture, while Westmont drops to sixth. Ten teams will make the Class A tournament.
Noah McQuillan picked up his team-leading 13th goal at even strength midway through the third before Kosick broke the tie with defenseman Brendan Leech serving a double-minor for cross-checking.
Ian Wood, who has five goals in just four games since completing a suspension, scored shorthanded and on the man-advantage for the Talbots.
Check out the "Mr. High School Sports" blog later for more PIHL coverage.
(Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/mpopchock)