Frederick, Maryland (Feb. 22, 2009) - The Crusader's season ended on the doorstep again in the Mason-Dixon Conference final. Same results with a different opponent. Catholic University of America rallied on the playoff weekend to defeat the top two contending teams. The Cardinals defeated the Gettysburg Bullets in dramatic come from behind fashion and less than 12 hours later finished the Alvernia' season to claim the MDCHA Championship Title game. Alvernia reached the final as predicted but once again could not seal the deal. The heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Catholic was a combination of a team playing on all cylinders and one struggling to find identity during crunch time.
The most revealing story of the playoff weekend was Catholic's ability to rally from a 5-1 deficit on Saturday nights play in game to reach the final. The Cardinal's who appeared dead to bury after one period raised the intensity while their opponent Gettysburg appeared to crumble like a cookie. Gettysburg's colossal collapse seemed more attributed to their brutal Friday match with the Dickinson Devils. The Friday night first round 4-2 victory over Dickinson zapped a lot of wind from the Bullets legs on Saturday leading to their card house collapse.
The main event of Sunday morning featured the two best records in the conference. The breakfast game scheduled at 9: 00 A.M was more reminiscent of a mite – squirt contest. Although the quick turn around would appear to benefit the Crusader's, it had no effect on the Catholic Cardinals. Literally only waiting 12 hours between games did not slow the Cardinals down in the opening period. The Cardinals scored the only two goals they would need just 50 seconds apart and would hold on desperately for the final forty minutes and ultimate victory.
Alvernia slept through the first period and two offensive let downs were the difference. The Crusader's dominated play in the second period and found the back of the net once with
Anthony Froio (Glenside, Pa / Interboro HS) poking home the lone Vern goal. The third period was much of the same with the Crusaders launching waves of offensive rush's that died on the goal line in some cases. The Crusaders couldn't find the back of the net even when they found the back of the net. Two disallowed goals appeared to have restored the score but quickly were waved off after further review. The final seconds of regulation had some drama as the last minute Russian roulette of hockey had the open net and several golden opportunities to even the contest. The Crusader's exiting finish came up short again and two years standing as the MDCHA runner up.
