Pittston, Pa (Nov. 7, 2010 ) - The Crusaders won two more conference clashes this weekend respectively over Rutgers-Camden and Bloomsburg University. Alvernia bookended the weekend games taking Friday's home tilt with Rutgers-Camden 7-4 and followed with a Sunday afternoon matinee win over Bloomsburg University with a 6-2 result. The wins pushed Alvernia's win streak to lucky seven. The Vern never trailed in either contest and held leads in all six periods with a high octane offense.

Friday's home and home finale with Rutgers-Camden was a tight clash as the Vern saw a much different team than the 9-1 drubbing they issued out several weeks earlier on Rutgers home sheet. Freshman Vinnie Mazzanti Langhorne, Pa / Neshaminy HS ) led the Crusaders with his first two collegiate goals. Ian Meiskey ( Lancaster, Pa / Hempfield HS ) continued his offensive assault from the blue line scoring in both weekend contests and continuing his goal scoring streak to three games. Other notable lamp lighters in the Vern's Friday goal scoring festival were junior assistant captain Christian Baron ( Philadelphia, Pa / LaSalle College HS ) with a pair. First line standout Ben Yuro ( Howell, NJ / Christian Brothers Academy HS ) ignited the crowd with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, a goal, a helper and a questionable skirmish. Senior captain Anthony Froio ( Glenolden, Pa / Interboro HS ) contributed a goal and assist.

Goaltender Jim Fynes ( Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS ) remained unbeaten at 3-0 on the season. Fynes turned away 37 shots in route to his third straight win over Rutgers-Camden. Defensively the Vern received strong support from Andrew Dziedzic ( Philadelphia, Pa / Father Judge HS ) and Travis Gold ( Columbia, Pa / Hempfield HS ). Gold a sophomore quietly goes about his business confidently holding up Alvernia's blue line.

Sunday's late afternoon game marked the first time the Crusaders have met the Bloomsburg University Huskies. The Huskies, the newest addition to the DVCHC have not experienced the usual growing pains of a first year ACHA program. Skating with a full bench, Bloomsburg kept it close but were no match for the depth and speed the Vern rolls out. Alvernia outplayed the Huskies in the opening period but could only manage a 1-0 advantage going into the first intermission. The late first period tally was courtesy of defenseman Ian Meiskey's low blast from the top of the left circle. Meiskey's shot found the inside of the lower left post.

Christian Baron added insurance early in the second period connecting for a quick 2- 0 lead. Vinnie Mazzanti lit the lamp halfway thru the second period for the eventual game winner. Bloomsburg broke the shut out in the second period with a 5 on 3 power play goal. The Vern had a stretch of sloppy play that tilted the ice for the Huskies in the form of power plays.

Alvernia soon rectified the situation and blasted the game wide open with a late second period goal set up a with a monstrous hit from senior Zane Camburn ( Riegelsville, Pa / Nazareth HS ) along the left wing half boards in the lower offensive zone. Camburn's huge hit created separation and the puck left free for Josh Cohen ( Pottstown, Pa / Coventry Christian HS ) who walked in uncontested sniping home a top shelf gem and a 4-1 lead.

Cohen has been burying when left alone inside the circles, showing his ability to adapt to changing line mates and positions. It should be noted that Cohen filled in marvelously in Friday night's game as a fill-in defenseman but providing more than a fill job. The senior ran a regular shift on defense adjusting easily making great decisions with the puck inside his own end and on the opposition blue line.

Alvernia added several more goals in the third period from Sean Castineira ( Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS ) and Froio. Froio's line of Kyle Kopervas ( Marleton, NJ / Wyoming Seminary Prep) and Mazzanti injected another powerful arsenal to the four line rotation Alvernia operates.

Not mentioned in the score sheet was the resurging play of senior Stephen Waricka ( Millstone, NJ / Allentown HS ) . Waricka returned to old form Friday night banking home solid shifts and hard hits all game long. Waricka's special team play continues to impress on Alvernia's penalty kill unit. The Crusader's have effectively rebounded over the last seven games after the heart breaking shut out loss to PSU Brandywine. The team has continued to play with a edge and a purpose after the DVCHC conference final loss last March showing resilience proving consideration as a top Atlantic Ranked ACHA team approaching first release of the 2010-11 ranking period.

The Vern will host a tough Richard Stockton College team next Saturday night at the Body Zone.