OSWEGO, N.Y. – An early goal proved just enough for nationally fourth-ranked Augsburg University as the Skidmore College men's hockey team gave the Auggies all they could handle, but a late empty-net goal gave Augsburg the 2-0 win in the Oswego State Classic title game.  
 
Fritz Belisle scored just 72 seconds in on an Augsburg (11-2) rush on a rebound after Erik Palmqvist shot caromed off Tate Brandon's right pad. Kyler Yeo also picked up an assist on the play for the Auggies. Belisle also scored on Skidmore's empty net in the final minute.  
 
Skidmore (7-5-1) got the best of the scoring chances in the second period, but was unable to crack the Auggies, who came into the contest with the nation's best defense. Zach Frisk had the Thoroughbreds' best scoring chance of the period when just past the eight-minute mark, he received an Ethan Heidepriem pass from behind the cage to an open slot. Samuel Vyletelka came up with the point-blank save, one of nine in the second period and 22 in the game. Skidmore had a 9-4 advantage in shots in the middle period. Vyletelka was named to the All-Tournament Team and teammate Jarod Blackowiak earned Most Valuable Player honors after scoring the game-winning goal over Oswego.
 
Brandon made 24 saves for Skidmore to earn a nod on the All-Tournament Team. He allowed just one goal in two games over the weekend. Danny Magnuson, who scored Skidmore's first goal on Saturday, was also an All-Tournament Team selection.  
 
Mike Gelatt rang a shot off the post in the fifth and final Skidmore power play in the early stages of the third period. Later, while the Thoroughbreds were killing a five-minute major penalty, Heidepriem raced for shorthanded breakaway, but the puck slid off his stick on the deke back to the forehand and rolled wide of the cage.
 
Skidmore killed all three Auggie power plays, including a 5-on-3 opportunity, and the major in the third period.
 
Despite losing the shot battle, 26-22, Skidmore won 41-of-53 (77.4 percent) of faceoffs, led by Everett Wardle (15-3) and Heidepriem (12-4).
 
The Thoroughbreds will return to conference play on the road at UMass Boston and Johnson & Wales Jan. 7 and 8.