BOX SCORE

Pittston, Pa ( Saturday Dec. 7, 2013 ) - The Alvernia University Ice Hockey team ( 12-7-1 ) made program history by overcoming their largest deficit in a game trailing by four goals with less than 15 minutes in regulation leading to a 10-9 overtime shootout win. The Vern rallied hard to catch the East Stroudsburg University Warriors scoring two goals in the final 51 seconds of regulation.

What appeared to be a devastating loss turned into a most unlikely win that should cement Alvernia well within the ACHA Atlantic Regional Playoff picture. Sophomore Aiden Campbell ( Foxboro, Mass / Foxboro HS )  enjoyed his most memorable day as a Crusader thus far scoring two goals in regulation and the only shooter to tally in the shoot out.

The Crusaders currently ranked #6 in the Atlantic Region need to retain a top 10 status to earn post season action. East Stroudsburg has played inspired hockey all season with many hard luck losses but this loss was one of epic proportions. The game featured three different goal-scoring spurts. The Vern scored the opening three goals in period one and seemed well in control of the contest. Junior defenseman Kevin Meers ( Morgantown, Pa / Twin Valley HS ) opened the scoring with a clean winner from the point that never left the ice. Soon followed by a backhand winner from sophomore Robbie Kohler ( Leesport, Pa / Schuykill Valley HS ) to make it 2-0.  Senior Robert Savastano ( Cleveland, Oh / Bay HS ) redirected a beautiful power play goal off the shot from defenseman Eric Chamberland ( Clifton Park, NY /Shenendehowa HS ) for a seemingly comfortable 3-0 lead.

ESU returned from the first intermission and quickly reversed the trend scoring three goals in three minutes to draw a 3-3 tie.  Campbell helped regain the lead for the Vern with a short-handed, breakaway effort slipping the puck neatly inside the glove side post. Order seemed to be restored but the Crusaders surrendered a last-second goal to end the period with ESU deadlocking the game at 4-4.

The third period was a roller coaster ride of emotions, flurries of goals and general hockey chaos. ESU trounced all over the Vern in the four minutes scoring four unanswered goals basically doubling its lead on the score board to 8-4. The Warriors may have celebrated a tad too early and far too hard. They took the liberty of celebrating twice in front of the Crusader bench igniting a fire maybe the Crusaders needed to reverse the momentum fueling the eventual comeback.

Nico Delgiorno ( Columbia, Pa / Hempfield HS ) scored his team leading 30th goal of the season which began the chipping away process back to a more manageable 8-5 ESU lead.  Alvernia was awarded a power play opportunity during Delgiorno's goal and cashed in on the man advantage clawing ever closer to 8-6 on the scoreboard. Only 40 seconds later Alex Harris ( Cleveland, Oh / Bay HS ) pulled the Vern within 8-7 sniping a wrister off the glove side pipe.

In typical fashion ESU after giving up four unanswered scored another power play goal to retake a two-goal 9-7 lead with less than five minutes remaining. Desperate to mount a last gasp to score the Crusaders pulled goaltender Patrick Murray ( Cranford, NJ / Seton Hall Prep ) gaining the extra attacker. Executing the "empty net" strategy the Crusaders struck twice in amazing dramatics.  Campbell lit the lamp at the 51 second mark followed by freshman Geoff Pezone's ( Downingtown, Pa / Downingtown HS East ) finest seconds later pushing the puck past ESU goaltender with 17 seconds on the clock.

The Crusaders carried all the momentum into the five-minute overtime firing six high-percentage shots but coming up empty. The most exciting play in hockey would determine the outcome, the shoot out. Murray stopped all three Warrior shots while Player of the Game award belongs to Campbell sealed the offensive victory for the Vern representing the only player to find twine. Campbell lined up as the second shooter and methodically skated into the high slot maneuvering the puck forward to draw the ESU netminder into a vulnerable position low to the ice. Campbell drew the puck back and patiently snapped a winner halfway up the twine.

The 10-9 victory represents the biggest comeback in Alvernia hockey history.  The victory remains even more impressive as the comeback win was completed while Alvernia's first line was relegated to street clothes in the stands and locker room for various on ice follies. Delgiorno also recorded Alvernia's first "Gordie Howe Hattrick".

The Crusaders will take a long winter break hiatus returning to action January 19th vs. Rowan University. Look for the second ACHA rankings released later this week to track Alvernia's quest for ACHA Regional Playoffs.

Alvernia 10, East Stroudsburg 9