Sunbury, Pa (Jan. 22, 2011) - The Crusaders started 2011 blasting the Bucknell University Bison 13-3. The non-conference ACHA action featured the Division III Crusaders playing Division II Bucknell for the first time since the Bison made the leap to the higher division.  Outstanding offensive efforts led by junior Mike Christie's (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) four-goal evening and Ben Yuro (Howell, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) added a hat trick to the highlight reel. Alvernia's well balanced attack featured seven different goal scorers.

The Vern jumped out to a quick two-goal lead which only amounted to a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission.  The second-period barrage started early as Kyle Kopervas ( Marlton, NJ/Wyoming Seminary Prep) drove hard between the circles with a forehand deek and slid the puck home on his backhand at the 19:00 minute mark.  Christie completed his hat trick with a pair of goals at the 16:29 and 16:06 mark.  Christie once again proved invaluable capitalizing on his scoring opportunities while opening up the ice maneuvering freely and uncontested in all zones.  Deceptively fast, his cunning puck movement keep opponents guessing - and usually wrong.  Christie transitions quickly and covers both ends of the ice, although small in stature his size is overshadowed with excellent vision of the ice and always in motion.

The second period was an old fashion shooting gallery with the Vern peppering twenty four shots while cashing in six goals. Goals were added by Christian Baron (Philadelphia, Pa./La Salle College), Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown, Pa.) and Kopervas with his second of the game.  Baron's was particularly impressive with a great individual effort to get separation in the left wing circle and snapped a nasty wrist shot high corner short side.

Carrying an 8-2 lead into the third period the game was never in question, yet the Crusaders continued to skate hard and force play in Bucknell's end all night.  Coach Plue commented on the clean slab of ice in the Alvernia defensive zone protected by Crusader goaltender Mike Restuccia (Chester Springs,Pa./ Bishop Shanahan).  Restuccia stopped sixteen shots surrendering three goals. The Vern received strong play from the defensive corp all night. Eric Ryan (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) and partner Josh Cohen (Pottstown, Pa./Coventry Christian) thwarted most Bison offensive counter rushes.

Other Alvernia goals were scored by Patrick Dolan (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) who recorded one goal and three assists on the evening.  Dolan made a significant adjustment jumping from line-four duties up to a first-line assignment. Continuing to make huge strides over this first two years, Dolan packs a physical presence that compliments line mates Mengel and Christie.

Dolan and Christie set up the final Crusader tally working the puck to the versatile senior Stephen Waricka (Millstone, NJ/Allentown, Pa.) camped out in the lower lefthand circle.  Waricka buried the opportunity with authority snapping a quick wrister into the twine.  Waricka utilized primarily on the penalty kill adds a dimension the Crusaders will need down the stretch, a natural ability to score goals with a hard physical edge. The Crusaders will have to get a full team effort like this evening to attain the goal of post season regional playoffs and return to the DVCHC Conference Championship.