Reading, Pa (Jan. 24, 2009) - The Vern swept the season series versus Mason Dixon Conference rival Gettysburg College with an impressive 7-4 victory. The Crusaders enhanced their chances of gaining the first round bye in the northern division bracket with the win. The Alvernia-Gettysburg home and home series are highlighted games on the Vern's schedule and usually pivotal in the final seeding entering playoffs held President's Day weekend in February. The game marked the first time Alvernia has defeated Gettysburg at home, in fact until Saturday night both teams never had won a home match up.
They jumped on the Bullets with three first period goals including two power play tallies. Second line center Christian Baron (Philadelphia, PA/LaSalle College) finished off a nice power play set up from defenseman Ian Meiskey (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) and Jeff Bohler (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata). The newly formed line of Caputo-Baron-Cohen appear to have gelled overnight accounting for the first three goals. John Caputo (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) finished off the second goal while the final tally of the period was credited to Baron. Baron's two goals and two assists led the Crusader offensive charge. The freshman forward has been the catalyst super charging his line combinations all season long.
The Vern came out firing on all cylinders following the first intermission with two quick strikes in the opening five minutes. Forward sophomore Josh Cohen (Pottstown, PA/Coventry Christian) slid home a Baron pass for a 4-0 lead. Only minutes later Pete Cirard (Levittown, PA/Truman) found the back of the net. Alvernia blue liner Bohler capped off the second period scoring with an exclamation point at the 6:00 minute mark with a laser beam blast from inside the circles. Forward Sean Castineira (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) feathered a pass from the left circle hash marks to Buhler's tape and the defenseman buried the slap shot with precision and power. The Vern rolled into the second intermission with a convincing 6-0 lead.
Gettysburg who has a history of come backs launched a scary assault late in the third period. The Bullets fired home four goals thanks in part to eleven Alvernia penalties in the final thirteen minutes. Gettysburg cashed in three goals including two on double minor infraction. Alvernia who appeared to have dominated play for the better part of the first fifty minutes came apart at the seems with untimely penalties with no rhyme or reason. Lost in the temporary collapse was the sparkling play of Alvernia net minder Mike Restuccia (Chester Springs, PA/Bishop Shanahan). Restuccia was perfect through two periods and squashed several early Gettysburg power plays. A quick glove combined with cat like movement helped Restuccia repel 18 shots through the first two periods.
Alvernia settled down the final five minutes despite playing short handed for nearly the entire final 12 minutes. Anthony Froio added icing on the cake at the 15:27 mark of regulation, finishing off a half ice breakaway. Froio received a well conceived chipped pass off the right wing boards from line mate Castineira. The headman pass originating from the Alvernia defensive blue line sprung Froio for an exciting burst of speed across center ice uncontested in full stride. The forward buried low five hole for the win.
The Crusader win coupled with an 11-1 win vs. Mt. St. Mary's the following day solidified Alvernia's first round bye and automatic appearance at the Semi-Final match up on Playoff weekend.
Special Team Kudo's:
-Two more Power Play Strikes
-The Vern scored 7 power play goals in the weekend 3 game set
-The Vern was exposed for three Gettysburg Power Play strikes in a five minute span in the third period!
-Restuccia hanging that Locker Room Chalk Board like a Master Carpenter
Did You Notice?
-Solid Play of newly converted defenseman Ian Meiskey
-31 total penalties, second page on the score sheet
-Alvernia perfect weekend in the new duds
-Coach Santiano's magical run still has life, how much is left in the bottle?
-The Sweet Sound of Music bellowing out of the PA system. NOT.
-Slim Jim maneuvering around the rinks like a cheetah, so fast, almost undetected.
-Jeremy Landis fumbling with the PA system. Please don't get a job at Radio Shack.
In Search of:
-Coach Plue's dry erase clip board?
-Castineira's scoring touch?
-Knoblauch sighting? Penned up in the Sin Bin All Weekend
-Waiting on L. Trots to slip through the Body Zone Turnstile. I guess getting treated to hockey in Kitchener her whole life makes everything else look primitive.
