“Winning isn’t everything, but losing sucks.”
That is the philosophical core of Icer Chris Cervellero’s competitive attitude.
Cervellero said with everything he does, he gives it his all, and strives to win.
“He’s a competitor,” Icers Coach Joe Battista said. “It doesn’t matter what it’s in, you just get into a conversation with him. He wants to win the conversation.”
Senior goalie John Gray said Cervellero doesn’t accept losing very well, and that he does everything with a pure desire to win.
“He runs on an emotional high,” Gray said. “He uses his desire to create scoring opportunities. He always has a strong will to win.”
Cervellero said he is especially anxious for some big wins this weekend when the Icers travel to Ohio University for the Ohio U. Tournament. The Icers’ first opponent will be Buffalo State, and Battista said they’ve always been a tough opponent.
“They’ve always been a thorn in our side,” Battista said. “They beat us in the opening round of the League playoffs last year, and I think the guys have revenge in mind.”
The Icers have also built up a rivalry with OU after Penn State upset them en route to the 1990 National Championship. Ohio has since been a menace to the Icers.
“We can’t look past Buff State,” Cervellero said. “But I want to get to OU, and show them what we got.”
This determination has made many good things happen, but it has also led to some time in the penalty box for Cervellero.
“Any time you play with that level of intensity things are bound to happen,” Battista said. “He gets caught up in the game, and spends some time in the box as a result. But he comes back out and makes up for it.”
Cerveellero has matured a lot as a person and as a hockey player, Battista said.
“He used to do a lot of yelling at refs,” the coach continued, “but he still played excellent hockey. He’s matured a lot and has become a good role model.”
Battista is quite pleased with the emotion that Cervellero plays on, and said he wished he could have more players with his qualities.
“I wish I could mass produce him,” Battista said. “I wish there were more guys that came with the tools he has.”
In his first shift, in his first game as a freshman, Cervellero scored his first goal. Since that time he has scored his way up to the No. 14 all time scorer for the Icers. Gray said he feels Cervellero’s emotions are what drives him to create the scoring opportunities.
“His fire is what makes him such a big part of the big plays.” Gray said. “He’s not necessarily a finesse player, but he’s got the talent and the heart to get through.”
Battista said, for as long as he can remember, the players who have worn the jersey No. 17 have played the same brand of hockey that Cervellero does.
“He does justice to the jersey he wares,” Battista said. “All of the guys who have worn that No. 17 have played that same brand of wreckless abandon hockey. It isn’t pretty, but they play with the desire that creates goals and wins games.”
Cervellero said everything he does, is to benefit the team rather than himself. He said he loves being a part of a team, especially this Icers team, and would do anything for them.
“He’d go through a brick wall if he thought it would help,” Battista said. “That’s just the kind of guy he is.”