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3/14/07-Hockey
St. Mary's triumphs in state finals March 10 at Compuware
By Mike Moore and Chris Langrill
C & G Hockey Writers
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PLYMOUTH — Billy Balent admitted he didn't have much time to analyze the shots when he took them.
But chances are good he will now analyze and recall them for years to come.
Balent, a junior forward on the No. 8-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary's hockey team, scored two goals in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and lift the Eaglets to a 4-2 victory against No. 7 Marquette High in the Division 1 state final March 10 at Compuware Sports Arena.
“It really hasn't set in yet,” said Balent, a Waterford resident who also added an assist. “We had the will to win, and we found a way to get it done.”
The Eaglets' last title was a D-3 crown in 2004-05, when they beat Flint Powers Catholic, 3-1. They moved to D-1 last season but were upset by Brighton High, 2-1, in a double-overtime state quarterfinal.
In this year's tourney, St. Mary's (16-9-5) rolled to the finals with wins against Rochester United (7-0) and Clarkston High (4-2) in pre-regionals; a 2-0 triumph over third-ranked Novi Detroit Catholic Central in a regional final; a 4-1 victory over Northville High in the quarters; and a 1-0 win against the state's second-ranked team, East Kentwood, in double overtime of the semifinals.
Senior forward Colin Bloor gave the Eaglets' a 1-0 lead in the first period of the final. Marquette notched the next two goals and held a 2-1 lead for exactly five minutes — that's when St. Mary's junior forward Clinton Bourbonais tied the game on the power play with 2:48 left in the first period.
Both of Balent's goals in the final period came off Marquette turnovers in the defensive zone. Senior defenseman Mac Watts had an assist on Balent's first goal.
“The guys really started to come together late in the season, and from that point on we have executed almost perfectly,” coach Brain Klanow said. “They deserve this.”
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