In Thursday's league challenge, the Wheeling Park Patriots (Wheeling, WV) ice hockey team nudged the host Blackhawk Cougars (Beaver Falls, PA), by a margin of 3-2.

The Patriots now possess a 11-3 record. They put it on the line next when they host Beaver for a PIHL Class A Blue challenge on Monday, January 8. Wheeling Park will clash with a Bobcats team coming off a 4-0 league loss to Chartiers Valley (Bridgeville, PA). The Bobcats record now stands at 5-7.

The Cougars (7-3) will now prepare for their challenge against Plum (Pittsburgh, PA). The Mustangs enter the PIHL Class A Blue challenge with a 6-6 record.