Hershey, Pa (Sunday Jan. 17, 2010) The Crusaders put consecutive 13-1 victories together in their last two games. The Vern bashed Gettysburg 13-1 on Dec. 5 to end the fall semester schedule then opened up the winter break with an identical crooked number win over the Shippensburg Red Raiders. Offensively the Crusader's had nine different goal scorers. Freshman Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa / Boyertown HS) tallied his first collegiate Hat Trick including the game winner. Goaltenders Michael Restuccia (Chester Springs, Pa / Bishop Shanahan) and Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) combined for the win.
Alvernia opened the scoring less than two minutes into the first period when Christian Baron (Philadelphia, Pa / LaSalle College HS) finished a pass from senior Michael Smith (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS). The Crusaders notched six first period goals including Mengel's hat trick. The other notable goal scorer's included defenseman Ian Meiskey (Lancaster, Pa / Hempfield HS) and leading team goal scorer and total points leader Sean Castineira (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) lit the lamp to send the Vern into the first intermission with an insurmountable 6-1 lead.
The second period was a replay of the first with the Crusader's moving at will while dropping a more modest four spot on the score board and a 10-1 lead. Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa / Sun Valley HS) scored early and late in the second period continuing his excellent play. Ryan finished with two goals and two helpers on the day. Eric Phillips (River Edge, New Jersey) contributed a goal in the period while freshman Andrew Dziedzic (Philadelphia, Pa / Father Judge HS) redirected an Ian Meiskey shot from the point for his second goal in as many games.
Defensively the Crusasder' limited Shippensburg to 14 shots on goal. New arrival defenseman Ryan Stover (West Lawn, Pa / Wilson HS) added a well needed physical presence delivering several punishing body checks along the boards. Stover helps beef up the defense and overall toughness along with his fellow defenseman Howard Bates (Philadelphia, Pa / Father Judge HS) . Bates kept Shippensburg honest inside his blue line as he doled out another body bending open ice hit. The Crusader's physical play is going to be critical in the playoff run over the next month.
Returning from injury, second line forward Michael Christie (Collegeville, Pa / Perkiomen HS) scored two goals in the third period in a happy debut game after missing 2 months with a bad shoulder separation. Christie's return helps solidify the Crusader's second line scoring punch. Josh Cohen (Pottstown, Pa / Coventry Christian) slapped home a power play tallie from the point position.
The win helped Alvernia move 5 games over the .500 mark this season for the first time.

Special Team Kudos:
-Two Short Handed Tallies
-Two Power Play Tallies
- Bates left the puck on the goal line observing the 3rd period rule or did he?
- Dena's ability to walk down the winding back stairwell's of the old Hershey Arena in stiletto heels

Did You Notice:
-Coach Santiano was thrown completely off his game plan after discovering team A.T. was sporting stiletto heels to a hockey game
- Phillips just tall enough to ride the Super Dooper Looper
- Chris Scales better half was our food server at Olive Garden. No discount on that check, guess not everyone is treated like family at O.G.
-New team favorite, team Photographer Rachel Boscov.

LOST and FOUND
*Anyone see Captain Froio's cell phone, if found call 484-557-8433*
Last scene in someone else's hockey bag or last used in Bieber Bus #98 bathroom.