Reading, Pa. (Feb. 3, 2012) - The Crusaders  (17-4 -2) responded to their first two-game losing streak of the season last weekend and notched up an impressive 6-0 win over the visiting East Stroudsburg University Red Raiders.  After suffering losses to PSU-Brandywine and West Chester University, the Vern rebounded to usual form with a balanced offensive attack and stifling defensive effort.
 
Senior Jim Fynes (Philadelphia, Pa. / Roman Catholic HS) combined with Sean Boyd (Churchville, Pa. / Council Rock South HS) for the shutout, stopping all 22 shots that ESU managed.  The Crusaders tallied a little over a minute into the first period off a break away rush from Mike Christie (Collegeville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley HS).  Christie received a cross-ice pass out of the Alvernia defensive zone and streaked unmarked down the left wing boards.  Skating east-west across the ESU lower slot, Christie, on his forehand neatly wrapped the puck around the net minder into the lower far side for his eighth goal of the season.  The quick first strike also proved to be the game winner.
The Crusaders lit the lamp two more times in the opening period off the sticks of freshman Eric Pawlick (Cranford, NJ / Cranford HS) and junior Kevin Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown HS).  Pawlick's tally was an absolute gem off a great feed from new addition Max Matejik (Fallington, Pa. / Notre Dame HS).  Matejik fired a hard helper across the lower left circle, Pawlick barreling full tilt adjusted the pass and moved deftly to his backhand stashing it home for the 2-0 lead.  Most astonishing was Pawlick's awareness of the tight space and speed he had generated while adapting his hands with such acute feel.  Mengel fired home his fourteenth goal of the season to build the Vern's lead to 3-0, ending a dominating first period with the shot total 18 -2 favoring Alvernia.
 
The second period was more of the same with Mengel finishing off a “connect the dots” power play goal.  Mengel whistled home a wrist shot into the top near side corner from the middle of the right face off circle catching the ESU goalie on the far post. Alvernia comfortably maintained a 4-0 lead and closed off the scoring with late goals in the middle period.  Christie cashed in his second while Matejik scored a highlight-reel effort for his first goal as a Crusader.  Matejik found himself on the right side doorstep of the ESU goalmouth.  Exercising great patience maneuvered the puck away from the stacked pads on the goal line angling a roof shot vertically upward with lightening release.  The Vern's highlighted hands team of Pawlick and Matejik certainly will be strong recipients for “Coach Herr's Annual Sweet Hand's Award “presented every year in May.
 
The Crusader's now gear up for a critical DVCHC Conference clash with rival Richard Stockton College of New Jersey for the war at the shore to settle the score for second place. The Vern must win to secure a playoff birth, a loss may end any hope of post season action.