Box Score
Reading, PA (Nov. 14, 2008) - The Crusaders blanked Johns Hopkins University 11-0 in a Mason-Dixon Conference contest. The Vern got multiple goal efforts from four different forwards and controlled the entire game. Local favorite Patrick Watson (Baltimore, MD/St.Vincent Palloti) skating close to home scored his first collegiate goals leading the Alvernia offensive attack. Crusader forward Devon Coleman (Hamilton, NY/Hamilton) tallied just 15 seconds into the opening period which also proved to be the game winner.
The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays host home games at the “Bubble in Baltimore”, which really became the story line all night. The unique facility resembled a clear bright covered hard white plastic dome that illuminated the drizzly misty darkness outside. Inside the arena, the atmosphere resembled a circus big top, with brilliant white light and party streamer flags draped barely out of reach of the neutral zones. The hollow dome reverberated with every puck that caromed off the boards and glass. This festive atmosphere allowed Alvernia a low impact evening of hockey which helped preserve energy for the Saturday and Sunday meetings with Gettysburg and Dickinson.
Alvernia University offensively fired a mild 27 shots yet converted relatively easily for eleven lamp lighters. Dressing a radically different roster than usual, the Crusaders received contributions from several hard working forwards. Freshman Tyler Stolting (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) added his first goal of the season while picking up two assists. Sophomore Josh Cohen (Pottstown, PA/Coventry Christian School) picked up two goals with two helpers. Christian Baron (Philadelphia, PA/LaSalle College) contributed with four assists. Freshman Ben Yuro (Howell, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) recorded his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Other Alvernia first time scorers included freshman blue liner Frank Lang (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) and sophomore Zac Camburn (Riegelsville, PA/Nazareth). Chris Scales (Swarthmore, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) played a strong game eating up lots of minutes. Scales plays smart positional hockey which may not correlate on the score sheet but sacrifices nothing in the plus/minus category. The second year forward carries a workman like effort from his practice habits to game time. Alvernia prepares to continue the six game winning streak versus divisional rival Gettysburg College on Saturday night.
Special Team Kudo's:
-Cohen scored a shortie but more impressively managed to flip a puck high into the party flags at center ice.
Did You Notice?
- Coach Santiano's loss of words upon entering the “bubble”. Thought you saw it all!
- Manager Chelsea Ames hopped the boards like she takes a regular shift
- Yes, that was a King's Throne and Coach Plue reigned supreme for at least one night.
- The support brackets supporting the boards appeared to be supporting thin air
- Geoff McGrath had his own locker room with line mate Sean Castineira, it just so happens it was the janitor's closest.
- Coach O'Connell paying airport prices at the Courtside Cafe. Think a meal plan is in order.
