Bryn Athyn, Pa. (Friday Jan. 22) - Alvernia returned to the scene of the crime 8 years later. The Crusaders traveled back in time and reversed the curse. January 2002 marked the historic first game of Alvernia ice hockey and it was not a pretty sight. The Vern was greeted with a disturbing 17-0 loss to a then powerful Bryn Athyn College squad.
8 years later and although not documented almost to the date, the Crusader's returned to the house of horrors only to serve up an identical 17-0 rout of Bryn Athyn. Chris Scales (Swarthmore, Pa / Cardinal O'Hara) scored his first collegiate goal and wasn't content with just one, adding 4 more on top of it. It was a night of milestones for the Junior forward. Making every opportunity of the spot start, Scales racked up a 7 point night with a hat trick plus. A sneaky sniper Scales was long overdue to connect as he threatened to
break the single game record for goals scored by a Crusader.
His unselfish nature to look for the assist may have been the only obstacle preventing the milestone achievement. The Crusader's record for goals scored in a game still belongs to Ryan Kelly (2009 Grad) back in the 2006-2007 season. (6 goals)
Bryn Athyn represents the only team in the DVCHC with home ice on campus. The unique outdoor facility is a throwback to a once popular venue. The arena has a large arched roof covering the playing surface and team benches. Well protected from the elements the playing conditions were ideal on Friday night. No wind, 40 degree temps with zero precipitation. Senior John Caputo (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) commented, “the ice surface was actually very good.”
Bryn Athyn is coming off a 2 year hiatus from the DVCHC and ACHA as to explain the growing pains of a first year born again program. Skating with a short bench and considerably novice line up they skated hard and never let up despite the one sided affair. Excellent hosts with convenient facilities expect this small college program to rebuild quickly.
The Crusader's offense was additionally supported by a Matt Peter's (Phoenixville, Pa / Phoenixville HS) hat trick. Scrappy forward Michael Merfert (Clark, NJ / Arthur L. Johnson HS) contributed a two goal night and left several others on the door step. Patrick Dolan (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) lit the lamp twice while single goals came from Michael Christie (Collegeville, Pa / Perkiomen HS), Devon Coleman (Hamilton NY / Hamilton HS) . Defenseman Howard Bates (Philadelphia, Pa / Father Judge HS) scored on a unassisted end to end rush. Freshman Vince DiMarco (Reading, Pa / Cocalico HS) rifled a shot from the lower right face off circle clanging inside the far pipe for his second goal of the season.
Alvernia goaltender Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) recorded the shut out for the Crusader's first white wash of the season. Fynes stopped 9 shots including a half ice break away in the second period.
Alvernia has a most difficult task of next facing the ACHA Atlantic Region Powerhouse Farmingdale State College Rams on Sunday afternoon.

Special Team Kudos:
-Two Shorties
-Two Power Play tallies
-Caputo lowered the boom with a text book open ice shoulder to shoulder hit


Did You Notice
-Coach Cirard refrained from using the terms “Bender” or “Duster”
-Scales earned Coach Plue a well deserved game puck.
-Who says a 12 ft. “Elite” bus can't negotiate a 9 ft. 7 inch bridge clearance. Good thing the roof of the bridge was made with vines, bamboo straw and holiday decorative greens.
-Restuccia fell asleep in the penalty box
-Rip Van Camburn overslept his Community Service!Tisk, Tisk, you dance now pay the fiddler.
-The Return of Karl Knoblauch (Part II)
-Mike Merfert's phantom goal. Coach Cirard said the War Room in Toronto would have turned on the lamp.
-Coach Santiano shared a common bond with every player on the ice, they can all say they played collegiate hockey. You're in an elite fraternity Coach!
-Coach Santiano was seen showering with his equipment, that's what happens when you leave your gear in the back of a pick up truck with an open gasoline can. Price to replace coach's equipment $ 600.00 , thought of showering with his equipment to rid the fumes of petroleum = priceless.

LOST AND FOUND:

Found: Anthony Froio's cell phone




Coach Cirard's Top Five TV Informercials:

1) Shaw Wow
2) Slap Chop
3) Magic Bullet
4) Perfect Brownie
5) AB Circle