The Oswego State men`s ice hockey team won its second-straight PathFinder Bank/Oswego State Hockey Classic championship with a 2-1 shootout win over Utica College after playing to a 2-2 tie through overtime. Senior captain David Titanic scored the game-winner to earn his team the victory. With the tie, Oswego moves to 6-2-2 on the season.
Mike Montagna was named the Most Valuable Player of the Classic after scoring a goal and an assist in the tournament as well as burying the team's first shootout goal on Saturday.
Also being named to the All-Tournament team from Oswego were goalie Matt Zawadzki and Kenny Neil. Zawadzki posted a shutout against Curry College in the opening round with 15 saves before stopping 25 Pioneer attempts on Saturday. He also turned away two of Utica's one-on-one opportunities during the shootout to secure the championship.
Neil had an assist against Curry before scoring both of Oswego's goals in the tie against Utica.
The Lakers and Pioneers played a scoreless first period before Oswego got on the board 13 minutes into the second. At 13:13, Neil notched his first goal of the game off passes from Alex Botten and Chris Raguseo.
Oswego's lead lasted just over two minutes when Utica knotted the score at 15:24. The two teams headed to the second intermission with the 1-1 stalemate.
Utica took its first lead 6:57 into the final period to put the pressure on the Lakers. Oswego would not back down, however, with Neil chipping in his second goal exactly six minute later at 12:57. Montagna assisted on the play to build on to his MVP resume. Botten also earned an assist on the goal, his second of the contest.The Lakers and Pioneers would play the next seven minutes in scoreless fashion, forcing the overtime.
Oswego had the best opportunity in the overtime, earning a power-play chance during the extra five minutes. Despite a flurry of shots, the Lakers were unable to find the back of the net.
There won't be much time to enjoy the championship as Oswego will return to the ice at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when Connecticut College comes to the Campus Center.
