Box Score

York, Pa. (Nov. 15, 2008) - Mike Restuccia (Chester Springs, PA/Bishop Shanahan) looked bullet proof as he stymied a potent Gettysburg College offense. While Restuccia was shutting down angles the offense consistently mounted waves of scoring opportunities. The Crusader's entered the game with a slight chip on their shoulder after the Mid-Atlantic ACHA rankings revealed they were still second fiddle to the Gettysburg Bullets. The rankings indicated Alvernia was directly behind the Bullets, who currently rank 13 and Alvernia one back at 14. The win should help to open eyes and validate Alvernia's move towards that elusive Top 10 ranking in the Atlantic.

Gettysburg rolled into the weekend with an unblemished 7-0 record that gave even further importance to the contest. Alvernia recognized the moment and relished the spotlight dance. The Vern opened the game slightly out of sync but managed to weather the early Bullet barrage. Crusader second line forward Eric Phillips (River Edge, NJ/River Dell Regional) planted himself firmly in the low slot at the 4:55 mark of the first period and banked in a Christian Baron (Philadelphia, PA/ La Salle College) pass across the goal mouth. The lead would not hold for long as the Bullets executed a beautiful power play goal that knotted the score at 1-1. The Crusaders fired up the offense quickly and retaliated as Josh Cohen (Pottstown, PA/Coventry Christian) rifled a roof top dandy from point blank range. Cohen paid a price as he was thrust through the goal cage but not before the puck fired into the top shelf. Alvernia skated into the first intermission with a well played 2-1 lead.

The Vern opened the second period with a power play chance that spilled over from the first period. Power Play specialist Pete Cirard (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman) was setting up camp again in front waiting for garbage detail. Cirard clogged up the crease as defenseman Frank Lang (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) slipped one into the crease. Cirard uncontested had three swats at the stationary puck and cashed in on the third effort. The 3-1 advantage turned out to be the game winner and continued Cirard's torrid streak of burying important goals. The Vern finished the second period scoring when team points leader Anthony Froio (Glenside, PA/Interboro) tallied home extra insurance for a 4-1 lead entering the final intermission.

The defense clamped down hard on the Bullets placing a big goose egg on the second period score sheet. Defense by committee, with huge efforts from the physical Howard Bates (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) and partner Michael Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic). The two blue liners kept the cage clear for goaltender Restuccia to gobble up the point shots. First line point specialist Eric Ryan (Aston, PA/Sun Valley) once again dominated the neutral zone with his fast and furious transitional game. Ryan's awareness on the ice and his ability to change gears leave the opposition flat footed. Ryan's effortless skating has a way of mesmerizing the opposition for a split second creating a seam to turn defenders. Ryan's line partner Karl Knoblauch (Norwood, PA/Interboro) held his blue line all night long with punishing open ice hits. Knoblauch closed down lanes quickly preventing the Gettysburg attack from coming inside the circles too often.

Alvernia systematically kept the pressure on in the third period but managed to equal most of Gettysburg's offense rush's. Goaltender Restuccia played the puck brilliantly all night which gave the Vern that sixth skater appeal. Restuccia's sharpness and reaction to loose pucks have been a great equalizer for starting breakouts. Restuccia gained possession of most dump ins and controlled hard rings from aggressive opposition forwards. Coach O'Connell commented that “Mike communicates with his defense on all aspects, you can hear him clearly indicate where everyone is and needs to be anywhere on the ice. He is the entire goaltending package, his experience brings confidence to everyone in front of him.”

The defense effectively stalled Gettysburg in the third period and returned some great counter rush chances. Freshman first line forward Geoff McGrath (Deptford, NJ/Roman Catholic) who did not figure in any of the first four goals although certainly not from a lack of great chances. McGrath parlayed his speed and puck handling combination into a text book highlight reel goal that finished in the back of the net off Anthony Froio's finish. McGrath found room in between the Gettysburg defensive circles and skated down the low slot and slipped a sweet backhand to a wide open Froio who jammed the puck into the twine. The lead gave Alvernia a commanding 5-1 lead. The Crusader's added another third period goal from Devon Coleman (Hamilton, NY/Hamilton). The game catapulted Alvernia ahead of Gettysburg in the tough northern division in the MDCHA. Next up Dickinson University who also sports a spotless 7-0 record.

Special Team Kudo's:

- Two Power Play tallies (2-6) with the man advantage

Did You Notice?

- Prom Night– Gilmore in Formal Wear / Black Tie Tuxedo.
- Slim Jim taking the show on the road
- Monella packing 30 hoagies, THANK YOU
- Soft Pretzels courtesy of ………McGrath and Company