Alvernia let Shippensburg on the board with a cardinal sin goal in Ice Hockey.  The Crusaders surrendered the first goal with only three seconds remaining on the first period clock.  The Vern was fortunate to go into the first intermission with only a one goal defecit.  Still adjusting to the new standard of rules policies, the team skated shorthanded frequently in the opening period. A series of minor penalties disrupted any offensive flow that Alvernia might have created.

First game jitters disappeared quickly in the second period.  Skating shorthanded, freshman Pete Cirard (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman) intercepted an errant Shippensburg breakout pass and streaked down the right wing boards while gaining a good shooting angle, released a dandy snap shot that appeared to freeze the Red Raider net minder.  Pete’s point blank wrist shot rejuvenated the squad and evened the scoring.  The remainder of the second period remained a stale mate with Alvernia getting superb penalty killing.

The final period may well be the Crusaders first defining moment of the year.  Just five minutes into the period freshman John Caputo (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) picked up a loose puck and fired home the go ahead goal.  Caputo worked tirelessly on the penalty kill all game and his hard work was rewarded with his first collegiate goal.  Shippensburg however, was not going easily into the afternoon, and the law of averages on the power play finally hurt Alvernia. The scoreboard stayed locked at 2-2 until sophomore defenseman Brent Reed (Hamburg, PA/Hamburg HS) let go an absolute rocket slap shot just inside the offensive blue line.  Reed shot a laser beam into the top right hand corner that exploded just under the crossbar which seemed to deflate the Ship team.

Nothing would be easy for Alvernia, another ill advised penalty put Alvernia right back on their heels with just under three minutes remaining in regulation.  Skating shorthanded again the Crusaders were treated to a unique oddity in the hockey world.  Defenseman Michael Gilmore (Farmington, MN/Eastview HS) picked up a loose puck in Alvernia’s defensive zone and skated just on top of the face off circle and cleared the puck to the opposite end.  This was no ordinary clear, Gilmore with his strength managed to whip enough velocity on the puck that it not only traveled airborne to the opposing goal, but it had sailed into the top glove side corner of the net. Coach O’Connell commented, “ that was the type of shot and goal that you might only experience witnessing once in a lifetime, it is hard to imagine a puck traveling close to three quarters of the ice and beating the goalie."

A two goal margin now seemed to secure a Crusader victory.  Gilmore’s prayer dump in goal would turn out to be the game winner, as Shippensburg tallied another late goal to cut the margin at 4-3 with 1:50 seconds still remaining.  The plot thickened as Shippensburg played hockey’s version of russian roulette and pulled the goalie for an extra attacker.  This appeared to be another barn burning finish, until Ryan Kelly (Ardmore, PA/Lower Merion) picked up a stripped puck at center ice and safely navigated a shot into the empty net.  Alvernia put a little icing on the chocolate cake when sophomore center Bruce Hawthorne (Blooming Glen, PA/Pennridge HS) ticketed a great breakaway goal that was slotted top shelf with no time left on the clock.       

Special Team Kudos
2 Short Handed Tallies by Caputo and Gilmore.