October 30, 2007 (Reading, Pa) - Alvernia completed an impressive weekend run with decisive victories over Salisbury University, Neumann College and Dickinson College. The offense highlighted the contests pouring out large shot totals, averaging well over 40 shots per evening. The Crusader's opened the weekend defeating the Salisbury University Gulls 6-3. Saturday night's contest was a 8-5 road show win at Neumann College. The 11-4 finale on Sunday evening came at the expense of Dickinson College. Alvernia maintained the edge over the weekend an never trailed on the scoreboard over the three day set.
Salisbury offered plenty of resistance and the two teams skated to a scoreless first period.
Josh Cohen (Pottstown, Pa/Coventry Christian) supplied two goals that inspired the Crusaders in critical situations. The third line combination of
Devon Coleman (Hamilton, NY / Hamilton) and
Ryan Kelly (Ardmore, Pa/Lower Merion) added a goal and helper a piece. Five of Alvernia's tallies came at even strength, while the other came short handed off the stick of Cohen. Additional goal scorers included first line winger
Zane Camburn (Rieglesville, Pa/Nazareth). Zane's contributions have moved him from fourth line obscurity to a pivotal forward rolling with the first lines regularly. Other standout efforts came from the play of
Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa/Sun Valley) who converted a goal and assist. Alvernia netminder
Chris Medico (Madison, NJ/Madison) defended the cage well blocking 35 of 38 shots for the win.
Saturday night's game with Neumann came with an interesting story line. The Crusader's who dressed a radically different line up that included numerous freshman and several who were traveling back to some old stomping grounds. The Vern led by the Interboro High School tandem of
Anthony Froio (Glenolder, PA/Interboro), Karl Knoblach (Norwood, PA/Interboro), Jamie Stewart (Norwood, PA/Interboro) and
Bob Crouse (Norwood, PA/Interboro) infused a nice game day buzz and adrenalin that sparked inspired hockey. The Interboro connection was joined by local favorites
Chris Scales (Swarthmore, Pa/Cardinal O'Hara) and Iceworks house phenom Ryan . This combination of players filled the house with friends and family and gave a noticeable fan favorite edge to the traveling Crusaders.
Neumann College is competing in its first season of collegiate competition within the ACHA. The Knights program is not an average start up program and one that deserved immediate reckoning from a prepared Crusader squad. Many Crusader's this evening were skating were auditioning in their first contest this year and everyone seized advantage. Sophomore center
Pete Cirard (Levittown, Pa/Harry S. Truman) popped home two goals in typical fashion. Skating in his first game this season, Cirard measured up nice wrist shots ticketed in the tip corners, both shots coming from the middle slot.
Michael Gilhool (Boothwyn , Pa/Chichester) another 'local boy done good' story recaptured good vibes in his old digs with a pretty goal inside the circles. Gilhool still looking for everyday play, capitalized on his playing time taking a backhand pass from forward freshman Steve Waricka (Milstone, NJ/Allentown) and patiently drove the slot finding an opening stick side high on the Neumann netminder.
Additional offensive stars extended across the roster, Waricka with a goal and assist, junior forward
Ryan Kelly was one of the few upper dressed tonight, and used his experience and usual quickness for a two goal evening. The most impressive performance this evening may have come between the pipes. Sophomore goaltender
Ammon Morgan (Schwenksville, Pa/Springford) turned in his best performance to date, facing close to 35 shots. Morgan had cat like reflex glove saves and stymied several odd man rush attempts stacking up the pads. Morgan moved to a 2-0 on the season, good for a three-star selection.
The last one is usually the toughest and Sunday's contest appeared to be heading that way when the Dickinson Red Devils rolled into the Body Zone for a late Sunday matinee game. The Crusader's returning home with some rested legs that were given healthy scratch status on Saturday evening, proved to be invaluable. The Vern concentrating on capturing the Mason-Dixin Conference games this weekend would pay off big dividends. A lopsided festival of shots led to an 11-4 rout. The Crusader's collected two goals from freshman Froio, while team captain
Michael Gilmore (Farmington, MN/Eastview) added two more on the score sheet. Gilmore's on ice performance is often overshadowed as the junior has been asked to jump around lines and occasionally positions but remains a key component to the Crusader's early success. Freshman
Devon Coleman contributed two goals, he continues to quietly remain productive. Striking from the blue line again were Ian MacMillan (Perkasie, Pa/Pennridge) with two goals and steady defensive cohort
Brent Reed (Hamburg, Pa/Hamburg) chipped in a low screaming shot creeping up the high slot. Alvernia completed the weekend sweep with goalie
Chris Medico earning the bookend victories.
Special Team Kudo's :
Chris Scales, close to a game time scratch Friday night, his flooded basement left his gear rendered useless and more wet than usual. Scales quick connections in the hockey community got him serviced for action.
Did You Notice :
Alvernia getting a lot of ink on Hockey 101. Fast talking, silver tongued devils are at it again.
Jeff Bohler housed two Red Devils in the same check sequence, more bang for your buck.
Coaching staff would like to see birth certificate of Dickinson Red Devil wearing jersey # 75. Coach O'Connell puts the over/under at 41 years old. He should know he turn's 40 next week. Ouch.
For the Record :
Team was given an incentive contract for Saturday night. Win and your in. Olive Garden Dinner for entire roster pending win. Congrats! Impressive performance. Costly Performance. Might be the best $500 coach has spent this year. Everyone orders water with dinner. Gotta cut your losses boys. Plus, coach practices what he preach's . No soda or high fructose drinks.
