‘Staged’ fight erupts during youth hockey game in Pennsylvania | Investigation underway

PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR AT FOUR STARTS NOW. GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO A VERY SPECIAL EDITION OF PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR AT 4:00. COMING TO YOU FROM PITTSBURGH, SOUTHSHORE. AND JUST BEHIND US, ACRISURE STADIUM ON WILD CARD MONDAY. THE STEELERS IN TEXAS GETTING READY TO PLAY PLAYOFF FOOTBALL IN PITTSBURGH. I’M ANDREW STOCKEY I’M KELLY SASSO. WE MADE IT. THERE’S BEEN SO MUCH ANTICIPATION TO GET TO TONIGHT. THE NIGHT IS FINALLY HERE. THE GAME IS RIGHT HERE. ALSO IN WTAE CHANNEL 4. SO IF YOU’RE WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE ALL THROUGHOUT THE EVENING NEWSCAST. AND THEN AGAIN TONIGHT FOR BLACK AND GOLD PRIMETIME, WE ARE BRINGING YOU LIVE TEAM COVERAGE IN THIS NEWSCAST. WE’RE GOING TO BE CHECKING IN WITH ASHLEY LOTUS JUST ACROSS THE RIVER OVER AT ACRISURE STADIUM. WE HAVE SHELDON INGRAM WHO’S HANGING OUT WITH ALL OF THE TAILGATERS. NO DOUBT THAT’S GOING TO BE A SHOT THAT WE WANT TO CHECK OUT AND SEE. WE ALSO HAVE ED DIORIO, YASMINE RODRIGUEZ TALKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS IMPACTS OF THIS AND WHAT THIS DAY MEANS FOR FANS. AN AWFUL LOT GOING ON. BUT FIRST, LET’S CHECK OUT PITTSBURGH’S ACTION WEATHER. VERY IMPORTANT FOR A PLAYOFF GAME. WE CAN TELL YOU IT IS. IT’S COLD OUT HERE. YEAH. AND ALSO A LITTLE BIT WINDY AS WE’RE JOINED BY METEOROLOGIST MIKE HARVEY. OUR CHIEF METEOROLOGIST WITH YOUR CERTIFIED MOST ACCURATE FORECAST MIKE COLD RIGHT NOW HOW MUCH COLDER WILL IT GET COME GAME TIME. IT IS GOING TO BE CHILLY AND I THINK WE’LL CALL IT PERFECTLY COLD FOR THE STEELERS. WITH HOUSTON COMING TO TOWN PLAYING IN A DOME I’M SURE THIS IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT TOUGH FOR THEM RIGHT NOW. 35 DEGREES WINDS A LITTLE BREEZY. SOUTHWEST TEN MILES PER HOUR. FEELS LIKE 27 DEGREES. AND AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT FEW HOURS, WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING TEMPERATURES THAT WILL BE DROPPING DOWN JUST EVER SO SLIGHTLY. WE’LL BE SEEING BY KICKOFF. WE’LL HAVE TEMPERATURES THAT WILL DROP DOWN TO AROUND 3332 DEGREES. WHEN THEY KICK OFF, THAT BREEZE WILL CONTINUE. WE WILL BE SEEING GUSTS UP TO AROUND 10 TO 15MPH AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE DAY. SO AS WE GO THROUGH TONIGHT, DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A CHILLY NIGHT FOR FOOTBALL, BUT I THINK THAT’S GOOD FOR US. THAT DOES SOUND GOOD, MIKE. AFTER ALL, THE VISITING TEAM IS FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND THAT WHEN WE’RE FEELING IT RIGHT HERE, A LITTLE BIT ELEVATED, WE CAN FEEL THE WIND HITTING US RIGHT NOW. YEAH, IT’S NOT SNOWING THOUGH, AND IT WAS SNOWING AT THIS TIME YESTERDAY, SO I WAS TRYING TO COUNT THE BLESSINGS HERE. THE POSITIVES. ALL RIGHT. LET’S GET YOU THE FRONT ROW SEAT TO THE ACTION. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION SPORTS REPORTER ASHLEY LOTUS IS OVER AT ACRISURE STADIUM RIGHT NOW. WE’RE ASHLEY NO DOUBT THE STANDS ARE GOING TO BE FILLING UP QUICKLY. I’M SURE THE FEELING INSIDE IS GOING TO BE ELECTRIC IN JUST A MATTER OF HOURS. HEY, GUYS. YEAH, WELCOME HERE TO ACRISURE STADIUM, THE PLACE OF THE NIGHT. THE PLACE TO BE TONIGHT HERE ON THE NORTH SHORE. AS YOU MENTIONED, NO ONE IN HERE JUST YET. THINGS ARE PRETTY EMPTY. IT IS A LITTLE WINDY. IT’S A LITTLE COLD. I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO TRY TO GO WITHOUT THE HAT TONIGHT, BUT I DON’T THINK I’M GOING TO MAKE IT, SO I PUT IT ON HERE. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, A LITTLE BIT WINDY HERE AND IT’S CHILLY. NO ONE INSIDE. THEY WERE JUST DOING SOME SOUND CHECKS HERE A LITTLE BIT AGO. AS THEY GET STARTED HERE FOR THE GATES TO OPEN IN JUST A FEW HOURS, WE’VE GOT ALL THE MEDIA LINED UP HERE ALONG THE STEELERS SIDELINE AND A JAM PACKED SHOW FOR YOU HERE. OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. BUT EARLIER THIS WEEK, I SAT DOWN WITH SECOND YEAR STEELER PATRICK QUEEN. NOW HE USED TO PLAY FOR THE BALTIMORE RAVENS, THE DIVISION RIVALS HERE FOR THE STEELERS. SO HE KNOWS PLAYOFF FOOTBALL. WE TALKED ABOUT OF COURSE, THAT MAIN STORYLINE WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR WEEKS, THAT PLAYOFF WIN DROUGHT HERE IN PITTSBURGH EARLIER THIS WEEK, MIKE TOMLIN SAID A LOT OF THE GUYS YOU KNOW HAVEN’T BEEN HERE. SO THEY DON’T CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT IT. SO I ASKED PATRICK QUEEN IF HE DOES. HONESTLY, NO, I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL LIKE I KEEP GETTING ON TWITTER AND SEEING LIKE THIS AND THAT. SO BUT LIKE HALF OF US WASN’T HERE. SO, YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY CAN RELATE TO. BUT WE’VE BEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR. WE LOST IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR. AND THAT STUNK AND THAT SUCKS. AND WE JUST TRY NOT TO REPEAT THAT. BUT WE’RE NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE PAST. WE JUST THINKING ABOUT HOUSTON AND TRYING TO WIN THIS GAME, TRYING TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO GET TO THE NEXT ROUND. MUCH MORE OF MY INTERVIEW COMING UP IN BLACK AND GOLD PRIMETIME TONIGHT AT 7:00. I TALKED TO PEAK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS PLAYING FOR MIKE TOMLIN AND JOHN HARBAUGH. HE TELLS ME THE SIMILARITIES AND THE DIFFERENCES. THAT’S ALL AHEAD IN BLACK AND GOLD PRIMETIME TONIGHT, ANDREW AND KELLY. ALL RIGHT. WE’LL SEE YOU THEN. AND PATRICK DOES MAKE A GOOD POINT. MOST OF THESE GUYS WERE HERE TEN YEARS AGO RIGHT. SO THEIR BIGGEST PLAYOFF LOSS IS WHAT TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR THE RAVENS. SO FOCUS ON THIS WIN THAT FIRST PLAYOFF GAME AND THEN HOPEFULLY MAKE A RUN. YEAH. BUT YOU KNOW THE FANS DIDN’T FORGET. AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR PITTSBURGHERS. NEVER DO. YEAH I MEAN EVEN JUST COMING IN ON THE PARKWAY EAST EVERYONE WAS WEARING JERSEYS IN THE CARS AROUND ME. LIKE COMING DOWN HERE EARLY, GETTING READY. ON THAT NOTE, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE TAILGATING BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE HECK OF A PARTY OVER ON THE NORTH SHORE TONIGHT WITH PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR REPORTER SHELDON INGRAM LIVE IN THE PARKING LOTS OF ACRISURE STADIUM TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE TAILGATES. HOW’S IT GOING OUT THERE, SHELDON? HEY. GOOD AFTERNOON. THEY OPENED UP THE GATES HERE IN GOLD LOTS ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO. AND ALREADY THE TABLES ARE OUT. THE FOOD IS OUT. PEOPLE ARE GATHERED FOR TAILGATING EXPERIENCE, AND THEY SHARE WITH US WHAT’S SO UNIQUE ABOUT TAILGATING EXPERIENCE FOR THIS PLAYOFF GAME? WELL, IT’S THE PLAYOFFS. YOU GOT TO COME DOWN AND GO AS HARD AS YOU CAN FOR THE TEAM. WHAT KIND OF FOOD YOU GUYS GOT GOING ON? OH, WE GOT BURGERS, BRATS, PIEROGIES. NOW, STEELERS FANS AREN’T JUST SITTING UP TAILGATING GEAR HERE AT THE GOAL LOT. TAILGATING IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE AREA. NOW HERE’S THE DEAL ON MCKEESPORT LLOYD NELSON IS GETTING BUSY ON HIS 12 FOOT SMOKER PIT CALLED THE MONSTER RIBS CHICKEN AND BRISKET. IT’S THE WHOLE FAMILY OF NELSON’S DECKED OUT IN STEELERS GEAR, AND THEY HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF TONIGHT’S GAME. YEAH, IT’S GO STEELERS ALL THE WAY. THIS IS THIS IS LIKE STEELER NATION RIGHT? RIGHT NELSON PROPERTY STEELER NATION 2117 STEELERS OVER TEXAS. ABSOLUTELY. WHAT DID WE SAY. SO YOU SEE HOW CONFIDENT THEY ARE. AND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN THE NEXT HOUR WE’RE GOING TO GO A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH ON ALL OF THAT FOOD THEY’RE COOKING AT THEIR HOME TAILGATING PARTY. BUT FOR NOW COVERING THE STEELERS TAILGATING PARTY HERE IN THE NORTH SHORE SHELDON INGRAM PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT, SHELDON, THANK YOU. GET THAT MONSTER. THAT’S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. THAT’S WHERE YEAH, THAT’S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE FOR SURE. YOU COULD ALMOST SMELL IT. JUST SEEING THE SHOT. ALL RIGHT. LET’S TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE FANS THAT ARE COMING DOWN HERE. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ALREADY STARTING THEIR TAILGATES. BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE FITTING INSIDE OF ACRISURE STADIUM, MEANING SOME OF THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS AROUND HERE HAD TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. THAT’S RIGHT. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR REPORTER DIORIO JOINING US LIVE FROM THE NORTH SHORE. IN FACT, YOU’RE JUST OUTSIDE MIKE’S BEER BAR. SO WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO GET READY FOR GAME NIGHT? WELL, ANDREW KELLY BARS HERE ON THE NORTH SHORE. THEY ARE USED TO HOSTING GAME DAY FOR STEELER FANS. BUT THIS IS THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON. AND WITH IT COMES A HIGHER DEMAND. AND HERE AT MIKE’S BEER BAR AND OTHER BARS AND RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE, LIKE YOU GUYS SAID, THEY ARE HAVING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. AND PART OF THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE TONIGHT’S GAME, WELL, IT’S A MONDAY. NORMALLY WHEN THEY HOST A GAME DAY, IT’S ON A SUNDAY. AND THAT’S JUST KIND OF MESSED WITH THE STAFFING AND THE SUPPLY PORTION OF THE SUPPLYING FOR STEELERS FANS. I GUESS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, LIKE I SAID, HERE AT MIKE’S BEER BAR, THEY’VE SEEN GOOD CROWDS THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND ALREADY BECAUSE OF THE COLLEGE AND NFL PLAYOFF GAMES. SO THEY’VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH A LOT OF THEIR FOOD AND BEER AND DRINKS AND SUCH. AND NOW THE STEELERS GAME IS GOING ON TONIGHT. SO A LOT OF PLACES HAVE HAD TO BRING IN SOME EXTRA STAFFING THAT THEY DON’T NORMALLY WORK ON MONDAYS. MAKE SURE THEY’RE STOCKED FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND AND FOR TONIGHT, AND THEN MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE BEFORE, IN SOME CASES, BECAUSE IT’S A MONDAY NIGHT. MONDAY IN PARTICULAR, IT’S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO MOST OF THE PREP FOR ON ON A SUNDAY. IT’S MORE ABOUT HAVING THE PEOPLE HERE EARLY MORNING ON A MONDAY TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE TO GET US THROUGH, YOU KNOW, TODAY AND START THE DAY TOMORROW. HERE AT MIKE’S. AND FOR SOME OTHER BUSINESSES I TALKED TO TODAY ON THE NORTH SHORE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY’RE HOSTING STEELER PLAYOFF GAME CROWDS AT ACRISURE STADIUM, BECAUSE THE LAST TIME THE STEELERS HAD A PLAYOFF GAME AT HOME WAS 2020, AND THAT WAS DURING COVID. SO REALLY, IT HASN’T BEEN SINCE 2018, SINCE WE’VE HAD A GAME OF THIS MAGNITUDE AT HOME. SO THESE BARS ARE GEARED UP FOR IT. AND I’LL SHOW YOU MORE ABOUT THOSE ADJUSTMENTS THEY’VE HAD TO MAKE COMING UP AT 5:00, COVERING ALLEGHENY COUNTY HERE ON THE NORTH SHORE, AT PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. CERTAINLY A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYBODY. YEAH. AND WHAT A MONEY MAKER FOR THE CITY BRINGING SO MANY PEOPLE OUT. ALL RIGHT. WELL YOU WANT TO STAY HERE. AS WE MENTIONED OFF THE TOP WTAE IS GOING TO BE YOUR PLACE FOR THIS GAME TONIGHT LEADING UP TO KICKOFF. WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR LIVE COVERAGE HERE THROUGH THE 6:00 HOUR. AND THEN ANDREW AND I ARE GOING TO BE BACK TO BRING YOU BLACK AND GOLD PRIMETIME STARTING AT SEVEN. AND THAT’S FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN EVENT KICK OFF AT 815 RIGHT HERE ON WTAE-TV CHANNEL FOR THE STEELERS AND TEXANS. AND STAY WITH US AFTER THE GAME FOR LIVE LOCAL POSTGAME. WE’LL HAVE LIVE INTERVIEWS, HIGHLIGHTS, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE AS WE FINISH UP WITH A BIG NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH AND ON PITTSBURGH’S NORTH SHORE. ALL RIGHT. WE’VE GOT KELLY AND ANDREW THERE CHECKING THINGS OUT ON FROM THE SOUTH SHORE, LOOKING AT SHAW STADIUM. WE’RE GOING TO CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE NEWSCAST HERE. NOW. FOR NOW WE ARE BACK HERE IN THE STUDIO. AND WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR AT 5:00. I’M SHANNON PERRINE AND I’M MIKE CLARK. LET’S GET TO SOME OF OUR OTHER STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING FOR YOU TODAY, INCLUDING THIS ONE. A DRIVER HAS NOW BEEN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN A CRASH THAT KILLED A SCHOOL VAN DRIVER IN SALEM TOWNSHIP, WESTMORELAND COUNTY, LAST YEAR. POLICE SAY ISAAC STEMPLE WAS DRIVING A SEMI TRUCK HAULING A TRAILER AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 22 AND ROUTE 819. IT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH TWO VEHICLES, INCLUDING A VAN DRIVEN BY 60 YEAR OLD RENEE DAVIS. SHE WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH. STEMPLE IS NOW CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE. FACEBOOK PARENT COMPANY META ANNOUNCES DINA POWELL MCCORMICK, THE WIFE OF U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK FROM PENNSYLVANIA, AS THE COMPANY’S NEW PRESIDENT AND VICE CHAIR. SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON METAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AS WELL AS DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. NOW, THE ANNOUNCEMENT SAYS SHE’S BEEN DEEPLY ENGAGED IN THEIR PURSUIT OF FRONTIER AI AND AND PERSONAL SUPERINTELLIGENCE. MARK ZUCKERBERG TODAY, WRITING IN PART, QUOTE, DINA’S EXPERIENCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF GLOBAL FINANCE, COMBINED WITH HER DEEP RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE WORLD, MAKES HER UNIQUELY SUITED TO HELP META MANAGE THIS NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH. A CHILD IS RECOVERING THIS AFTERNOON AFTER BEING SHOT IN PITTSBURGH’S CALIFORNIA-KIRKBRIDE NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THE WEEKEND. IT HAPPENED SATURDAY MORNING ALONG KIRKBRIDE STREET. OFFICIALS SAY THE SEVEN YEAR-OLD VICTIM AND HIS NINE YEAR OLD BROTHER WERE PLAYING WITH A GUN IN THE BASEMENT WHEN IT FIRED. POLICE SAY THERE WERE NO ADULTS IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME, BUT THERE WAS A TEENAGER. POLICE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THIS. POLICE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR THE PERSON WHO SHOT A MAN AS HE WAS WALKING ALONG A SIDEWALK IN WILKINSBURG. THIS WAS THE SCENE ALONG REMINGTON DRIVE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT. THAT’S RIGHT BY THE BORDER WITH THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. POLICE FOUND A VICTIM WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE CHEST. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION. POLICE ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CALL THE COUNTY TIP LINE. A DEL MONTE CANINE AND OFFICER, BOTH TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN MURRYSVILLE. IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE THE OFFICER WAS ASSISTING MURRYSVILLE POLICE WITH AN UNRELATED CRASH ON ROUTE 22. THE OFFICER AND CANINE WERE BOTH STRUCK AND THEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION AND TREATMENT. BOTH ARE N

‘Staged’ fight erupts during youth hockey game in Pennsylvania | Investigation underway

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Updated: 7:17 PM EST Jan 12, 2026

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An investigation is underway into what officials are calling a “staged” fight at a youth hockey game in Pennsylvania Saturday night. VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Jan. 12 In a post from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, officials issued a statement saying they are aware of a “staged fight” that broke out during an event held at intermission at the Hershey Bears game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team.”Affiliate, league, and club officials are investigating the matter, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved in the staged fight,” the hockey association said. “This intermission game was not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.” Following the incident, the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club issued a statement, saying that the safety and well-being of players is its top priority. “We have been made aware of an incident that occurred last night during the ‘Mites on Ice’ event between periods of the Hershey Bears game,” the youth hockey club said in a post. “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance.” The youth hockey club continued, thanking families, partners, and the community, while asking for patience as an investigation continues. “At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions,” Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, partners, and community as we work through this matter.”Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

HERSHEY, Pa. —

An investigation is underway into what officials are calling a “staged” fight at a youth hockey game in Pennsylvania Saturday night.

VIDEO: Top stories on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Jan. 12

In a post from the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association, officials issued a statement saying they are aware of a “staged fight” that broke out during an event held at intermission at the Hershey Bears game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team.

“Affiliate, league, and club officials are investigating the matter, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved in the staged fight,” the hockey association said. “This intermission game was not sanctioned by USA Hockey or the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association.”

Following the incident, the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club issued a statement, saying that the safety and well-being of players is its top priority.

“We have been made aware of an incident that occurred last night during the ‘Mites on Ice’ event between periods of the Hershey Bears game,” the youth hockey club said in a post. “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants — especially our young players — are of the utmost importance.”

The youth hockey club continued, thanking families, partners, and the community, while asking for patience as an investigation continues.

“At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions,” Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club said. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, partners, and community as we work through this matter.”

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.