BOX SCORE Atlantic City, NJ (Dec. 6, 2015) - Alvernia University (7-11-2) pulled out a stunning 5-4 win over Richard Stockton College in an early, must win DVCHC Conference matchup Sunday afternoon at the Flyers Skate Zone in Atlantic City.
Down two goals with less than three minutes in regulation, the Crusaders managed to roll a deuce to stun the Ospreys. Seniors
Rick Vukovic nailed home the game tying goal with 2:56 left in the game and senior
Nico Delgiorno fired home the game winner with 8.5 seconds on the clock.
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey seems to always bring out any number of endings, both happy and disappointing. The Vern, still struggling to find a team identity, cashed in a heart breaker at the Ospreys expense this time. Alvernia stopped a losing streak and continued a winning streak all with one game, erasing a season long four game losing streak with the dramatic win and now owning a five game winning streak over the Ospreys in their own house.
Super Senior
Brian Callahan returned to form quickly, snapping home the opening goal with only several minutes and change off the clock for a 1-0 lead. Callahan tallied a twine ripper on the power play snipping a shot high into the cage for his 11
th goal of the season. Coach O'Connell noted, "Brian had a fantastic game, considering his assignment was shadowing the Osprey's power forward Tyler Marten. Cally was completely effective shutting down Marten, who lit us up like a Christmas tree last game for four goals and almost single handedly won the game offensively last time we met."
Callahan had a busy week, featuring about every aspect of hockey from lighting the lamp to a Tuesday night tilt at the Santander vs. Rowan.
It appeared the Vern was going to capitalize on every opportunity against the Ospreys when only three minutes after Callahan broke the ice, second line senior
Rick Vukovic burnt the bulb. Vukovic picked a good time to perhaps have his finest game in a Crusader jersey, padding the lead to 2-0 off Osprey goaltender Eddie Raffertty, whom many consider the finest netminder in the ACHA Atlantic Region.
The early first period party took a radical change as Stockton managed to cut the score in half entering the first intermission.
The Ospreys then seized control of the game, scoring two quickies midway thru the second period taking a 3-2 advantage. The game looked far worse for the Vern in the second period as they clung on by a thread. Alvernia goaltender Mike Durofchak kept the game manageable during some pivotal Osprey power plays, bridging the momentum of the game back to the Vern, who began buzzing around the Osprey cage in the final minutes of the second period.
Callahan once again stepped up huge, redirecting a shot from defenseman
Mike Urban past Rafferty, knotting the score at 3-3 with only twenty seconds left before the third intermission. A colossal mood swing for the Vern and the cardinal sin of hockey for the Ospreys, allowing a final minute goal. It appeared the third period would have an even more dramatic conclusion.
An exciting contest and uncharacteristically rather light penalty rap sheet for both teams, the game shaped up with tight defensive play. Stockton was the first to strike at the 5:55 mark of the third period, taking a 4-3 lead. The Ospreys held on tight and appeared to have a good strangle hold on the game with few quality scoring chances for either team. As the clock was winding down under the five minute in regulation, the Crusaders began mounting more offensive rushes and with quality zone time.
Rick Vukovic found himself alone in the high slot between the circles with a good portion of net unprotected and riffled home the equalizer at 4-4. It would appear a great time for celebration, however following the goal Alvernia was issued a 2 minute minor and found themselves systematically killing off a shorthanded situation.
Delgiorno, normally known for his goal scoring prowess, was a stalwart penalty killer all night including the critical final moments.
The hockey world usually giveth and taketh when it comes to penalties, and with twenty seconds remaining in regulation, the Ospreys were slapped with a two minute roughing minor. The Crusaders won the ensuing draw and the puck found its way to
Nico Delgiorno all alone in the left wing circle. He whipped a quick wrist shot that handcuffed Rafferty, who was well out cutting down the angle. The puck had just enough force upon catching a piece of Rafferty to butterfly into the net for the game winner.
Alvernia takes to the ice again for their last game of the semester next Saturday, traveling to East Stroudsburg University for DVCHC action. Puck drop is set for 5:00 pm.
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