BOX SCORE
Reading, PA (Oct. 4, 2008) - Alvernia Ice Hockey reached another milestone by soundly defeating the local rival Kutztown University Golden Bears 7-0. The season home-opener marked the first time Alvernia University beat Kutztown, and consequently the first victory over a Division II opponent. The Vern continues to gain attention at the Division III level of the American College Hockey Association after demonstrating the ability to successfully compete on a grander scale. The shut-out performance featured timely goaltending combined with a stifling defense which allowed the Vern offense to a 44 shot bombardment leading to seven unanswered goals.
Freshman goaltender Mike Restuccia (Chester Springs, PA/Bishop Shanahan) recorded his second career win with the Crusaders while chalking up his first Alvernia shut out. “Stewch”, as he is affectionately known by his teammates clamped down on the KU offense early, turning away eight shots in a stale mate first period. The offense waited patiently and it appeared the opening period would end deadlocked until the 19:50 mark when first line center Anthony Froio (Glenolden, PA/Interboro) poked home a loose puck underneath the Golden Bear goalies pads. The late goal sparked the offensive outpouring that was to follow the next two periods.
Alvernia engaged in a tight checking neutral zone chess match, which dominated the opening period. The tempo of the second period resembled nothing such, with the Vern unloading 18 shots as the Bears became overmatched in their defensive end. Working the puck diligently during the power play, freshman Geoff McGrath (Deptford, NJ/Roman Catholic) snapped home a wrist shot between a maze of congestion in front of the Kutztown cage. McGrath grabbed a loose puck along the right wing boards and patiently skated the perimeter of the collapsed KU penalty kill which allowed the crafty forward to maneuver into the high slot and snipe home a winner into the high left hand corner. The 2-0 lead once again provided more than enough insurance as the Crusaders never looked back.
The special teams unit tallied again late in the second frame. Defensemen Eric Ryan (Aston, PA/Sun Valley) quarterbacking the power play from the right point, delivered a low slap shot that Ian Meiskey (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) redirected into the bottom right corner. Meiskey's textbook tip was brilliantly executed and deflated any hope Kutztown entertained of a comeback.
The third period initially had several short hand moments that the Crusader penalty kill effectively repelled. The Vern quickly transitioned back to the offensive mode and drove home four final period tallies. Second line forward Josh Cohen (Pottstown, PA/Coventry Christian) cashed in his first two goals of the season. Cohen's line mate Steve Waricka (Millstone, NJ/Allentown) pushed home a shot across the crease after getting tripped up from behind for his first goal of the season. McGrath notched his team leading fifth goal of the season midway in the final period to help pad the victory. Alvernia played defense by committee with outstanding efforts from defenseman Frank Lang (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) and freshman first time dresser Tim McManimon (Trenton, NJ/Notre Dame).
The Crusaders return to the ice Friday night for their biggest game in program history with the PSU Brandywine Blue Lions of Delaware County, PA. Formerly PSU Delco, the newly branded PSU Brandywine is a regular power house in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Special Team Kudo's:
-2 Power Play Goals (2-6)
- Back to Back Shut Outs (Team record)
- PK went Five for Five
Did You Notice?
-Coach Kelly / Coach Plue adjustment; Waricka centering Line 2
-Toughen it out, the boy's trade modern day plumbing in exchange for the tough outdoor unpredictability of the Port-O-Let. Cowboy up!
-The Running Clock
-Sound System?
-PA Announcer Jeremy Landis “official voice of Crusader Ice Hockey”
