Feb. 2, 2008 (Washington, DC) - The only thing missing from the game with Catholic University was a dancing bear and side show juggler. Alvernia seemed to battle any number of demons in this 6-4 dramatic comeback win. The Vern's trip to the Nations Capitol was anything but routine on Saturday night. After the ice was cleared or not cleared, the Crusaders managed to defeat the Catholic Cardinals and remain on task to clinch a Mason-Dixon playoff bye.
Alvernia traveling in road White Jersey's as mandated by the MDCHA guidelines was informed the home team would also dress white. The uniform quagmire delayed the game and ultimately stopped the contest literally four minutes into the opening period. Alvernia solved the issue by resorting to wearing an assortment of dark practice jerseys. The contest had very little flow and was littered with bad penalties. A game that ran almost three hours yet allowed for only one ice cut between the second and third period. The Fort DuPont zamboni was void of water and deemed inoperable to cut the ice in the first period, mysteriously recovered for the final ice cut during the second intermission.
Alvernia opened the scoring at the six minute mark of period one as Crusader sophomore John Caputo (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic HS) slammed home the puck on the doorstep of the Cardinal crease. The Crusader's lead evaporated quicker than the water supply in the zamboni. Catholic posted two quick scores and benefited from six Alvernia penalties in the opening period. Alvernia skated short for little over half the period yet managed to damage control the deficit to a 2-1 Cardinal lead.
Alvernia opened the second period after a short interlude. Catholic continued to put heat on the Alvernia defense with numerous power play opportunities and converted for a special teams tally and grabbed what appeared to be a commanding 4-1 lead. It appeared Catholic might cruise into the second intermission with a three goal lead but Alvernia capitalized on their own power play. Freshman Karl Knoblauch ( Norwood, Pa./Interboro HS) quarterbacking the man advantage found an opening from the center point between the circles and riffled a low shot into the left hand corner. Defensive partner Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley HS) created a clear lane for Knoblauch while attracting Catholics attention with exceptional evasive puck handling maneuvers. Ryan has emerged as Alvernia's dominant force on the blue line; the natural defenseman dominated the game in the final periods. Ryan easily can be mistaken for a skilled forward but patrols the neutral and defensive end just as smoothly.
Alvernia still facing 4-2 uphill battle entering the third period began to resemble its form as an offensive juggernaut. When not mixing it up physically the Crusaders collectively have skill. The final period opened with unusual water puddles on the ice in front of Vern goaltender Chris Medico (Madison, NJ / Madison HS). The casual water created some dicey moments early around Medico. Catholic had a golden opportunity in the low slot but the puck seemed to magnetically adhere to the ice. Several Catholic players over skated the puck which lay motionless in the crease. Medico finally managed to freeze the puck and take a bath in the process. The officials delayed the face off after this debacle. When the surface became manageable for ice hockey the pendulum swung hard for Alvernia. Less than four minutes into the period Zac Camburn (Rieglesville, Pa./Nazareth HS) narrowed the Catholic lead cleaning up a point blank scoring chance and converting through a maze of traffic. Alvernia's confidence showed with each shift mounting wave after wave of offensive pressure.
The lead unraveled for the Cardinals late in the third period. Crusader first line forward Stephen Waricka (Milstone, NJ/Allentown HS) has been a key offensive component for the featured line. Waricka directed home the game tying goal with only four minutes remaining in regulation. Waricka stuffed home a feed from John Caputo. Caputo's box line was not finished, as he helped set up the game winner to Eric Ryan with 1:58 on the clock. Ryan's timely tally served justice to the effort that Ryan and his teammates shouldered in the closing minutes. Steve Waricka added an empty netter with only one second remaining, the fast forward fore checked the final 20 seconds frustrating any Catholic chance to mount pressure with the goal vacant. Alvernia moves to 9-1 in the Mason-Dixon Conference.
Special Team Kudu's:
Waricka's credited with a Short Handed Game Tying Goal
Catholic only 1-9 on the power play
Did You Notice?
Caputo wore Waricka's practice jersey
Bohler will not be on the Film committee for future road trips
Bates and Bohler each receive a Dairy Queen for Hill School Game
Steve Schlegel skating in his generic red jersey which prompted some unflattering comments from defensive partner Jeff Bohler
Coach O'Connell suggested that someone “Put a tent over this circus”
Alvernia's bench coaching staff shrunk to a manageable two man show
Coach Kelly and Coach Scogna don't work weekends. You wouldn't make it in the service industry gentleman.
