Reading, Pa (Sunday Jan. 31, 2010) - Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa / Boyertown HS) top shelved the game winning goal with 0:38 seconds remaining in regulation. The late goal helped stave off a late third period rally by the visiting East Stroudsburg University Warriors. The Vern completed the two game regular season series sweep over East Stroudsburg. Alvernia moved into a tie for second place in the DVCHC's tough American Conference.

Alvernia's third line once again powered the Crusader offense with Kevin Mengel connecting for 2 goals with 2 assists while center Josh Cohen (Pottstown, Pa / Coventry Christian HS) added one goal with 3 helpers for a four point evening. Cohen's been the straw that stirs the drink on third line all season. Utilized on the power play, penalty kill unit and running a regular shift, Cohen has been a Crusader catalyst. The third line accounted for 4 Alvernia goals as senior John Caputo (Philadelphia, Pa / Roman Catholic HS) cashed in the opening goal as a late line switch in the first period. The Crusader's barraged the ESU Warriors with 3 quick strikes in the opening six minutes of action. Captain Anthony Froio (Glenside, Pa / Interboro HS) and Mengel lit the lamp to increase the lead to 3-0.
ESU quickly regrouped after a time out to settle the score and managed to tally two closing the opening period to a 3-2 deficit. The Vern found new life again after the first intermission regaining the three goal lead with goals from Josh Cohen and Ryan Stover (West Lawn, Pa / Wilson HS). Cohen set up Stover from the middle of the left face off circle sending a pass across the lower right circle and the first year Crusader finished with authority inside the lower left hand post. Stover a recent PSU Berks Division I transfer made good on his opportunity for his first collegiate goal.

The Vern entered the third period sluggish which allowed the Warriors to rally with three unanswered goals locking the score at 5-5 with 3:30 remaining in regulation. Sloppy defensive end coverage opened the door for a fantastic finish. Looking like a game that was heading for overtime and uncertainty, Alvernia seized an odd man rush in the ESU neutral zone. Defenseman Karl Knoblauch (Glenside, Pa / Interboro HS) slipped a head man pass to the streaking Kevin Mengel. With numbers on his side, Mengel elected to hold and shoot from the lower right offensive circle, burying a snap shot underneath the short side crossbar. Mengel sealed the game with the final minute wild rush and lightning quick release. The Crusader's 6-5 triumph sets up final weekend games with Rutgers-Camden and Richard Stockton College. The Vern could grab a first round bye with a win on Friday night.

Special Team Kudos:

- One Power Play Goal ( Cohen )
- Chuck - a – Puck Winner Momma Castineira $$$$
- Best Open Ice Hit Ref / Linesman went shoulder to shoulder at center ice with the ESU jailbreak out of the penalty box, certain break away turned into a Sunday Yard Sale at Center ice.

Did You Notice:
- Fog Horn Blasts
- Zane Camburn's shell….Coach Plue noticed
- “Slim Jimmy D” was working the live game stats so hard he forgot to start the clock on an AU penalty kill
- Mike Christie sat out his second consecutive game for a 1 game DQ. Coach O'Connell didn't follow DVCHC policy. Looks like a bad plus /minus weekend. Might see him skate the Canadian Mile to the tune of Coach Plue's whistle. In the end JUSTICE PREVAILS.


GONG SHOW RATING : 1 – 10 rating system
Based on studies from Coach Santiano
10 --- Off the charts a complete circus
9 --- Only thing missing is a monkey with a collection cup
8 --- Cartoon like characters, hard to decipher from reality
7 --- Several moments mimicked Super Chexx Bubble Hockey
6 --- Chuck Barris may actually announce the next goal
5 --- Like Pond Hockey but you can lift the puck
4 --- Coach Plue can actually see a cycle develop
3 --- At least two ice cuts with a four man system
2 --- Coach Cirard does not refer to any player as a bender
1 --- Scout's from Coach Santiano's alma matter University of
Southern Maine wants to take a second look

Coach Plue gives today's performance a solid ( 4 )