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3/11/07-Hockey
Balent's two late goals lift Orchard Lake, 4-2
By Chris Lau/Detroit Free Press
PLYMOUTH--Asked for a mantra to describe his team, Orchard Lake St. Mary's forward Billy Balent said, "No one gives up."
How appropriate.
Each of St. Mary's four goals Saturday came off a hustle play. Each time, it was because Marquette failed to clear the puck in its own zone because of pestering from a St. Mary's player.
Balent scored the winning goal halfway into the third period and added a late insurance goal for St. Mary's in a 4-2 win over Marquette in the Division 1 championship game at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.
"We're hard-working," Balent said.
Just 27 seconds into the game, St. Mary's forward Colin Bloor tapped the puck into an open net.
Marquette (21-4-5) took a 2-1 lead later in the first on goals by Allen Lancour and Brandon Smaby, who combined for seven goals in the semifinals.
But with three minutes left in the first, Clinton Bourbonais ripped a power-play slap shot past Marquette goalie Joe Nezich.
Neither team scored in the second, setting up Balent's heroics in crunch time.
"When Orchard Lake had their chances, they finished," Marquette coach Joe Papin said. "That's what it takes to win a hockey game."
It was the second championship for St. Mary's (16-9-5).
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