York, Pa. (Feb. 17, 2012) - The Crusaders fell one game short of the 2012 Division III ACHA National Tournament.  Facing off against DVCHC rival Richard Stockton of New Jersey, the Vern lost a heart wrenching contest as the Osprey's goaltender stole the show and just about every shot fired his way.  Stockton's net minder Aaron Connell turned in a gem of a performance between the pipes for the Osprey stopping 45 shots while surrendering only an early first period goal.
 
The Vern, coming off a dramatic OT thriller over Farmingdale State showed no rust in the first period peppering 18 shots.  Lucien Staquet (Downingtown, Pa. / Downingtown HS) was the only Crusader to get a puck into the Stockton cage.  Staquet scored on what appeared to be a harmless wrap around bank shot that pin-balled through Connell, giving Alvernia a 1-0 lead.  Evidence of  Alvernia's complete domination in the opening period were several golden opportunities caroming away, a series of  bouncing pucks narrowing missing the mark and shots just deflecting high or wide.
 
The momentum swung hard towards Stockton in the final minute as the Vern was caught deep with too many players up ice allowing the Ospreys an odd man 3-on-2 counter rush.  Stockton forward Jim O'Donnell sniped off a wicked wrist shot just under the bar beating Alvernia goaltender Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic HS). Fynes faced five shots in the opening period only allowing the one goal with 33 seconds remaining.
 
The second period evened out considerably with Alvernia outshooting Stockton 15-13 with each goaltender coming up perfect.  The turning point in the game certainly appeared to have been the Crusader's inability to cash in on a two man advantage power play for the better part of two full minutes. The Vern not only failed to generate offense but managed to surrender a pair of Stockton shorthanded breakaways with Fynes equal to the task.
 
The final period saw a major role reversal as Stockton fired up the shot totals pelting 18 shots on goal.  Alvernia mustered up a mere 13 and was grossly outplayed over the final ten minutes.  Stockton finally zipped home the game winner with 2:46 left in regulation. Alvernia scrambled around the final minutes in their own defensive zone never threatening a chance at an even-up goal.  Stockton slipped an insurance goal with 1:24 left sealing the victory and a trip to their first appearance in the ACHA National Division III tournament in Vineland, New Jersey.