Balaban, linemates make most of opportunity

PLATTSBURGH— Max Balaban assisted on Michael Cassidy’s goal in the second period Friday, earning his first collegiate point.

He was just getting started.

About 12 minutes later, the freshman forward put a shot in the far corner of the net for his first goal. And in the third period, he slammed in a rebound for another one.

Plattsburgh State defeated Middlebury 7-1. Cardinals coach Bob Emery shook up the lineup, and the changes included inserting Balaban, Michael Cassidy and Michael Radisa and putting them on the same line. None of the three are every-night players, and for Balaban, especially, it was a big opportunity. The San Diego native had played just four games before Friday and sat out the previous six.

“Absolutely. This is my first home game, and I just came out with everything I got,” Balaban said. “I knew that this was a big game, and if I had a big game it would help keep hopefully our line together because I really like this line and our chemistry.”

That line accounted for 10 points, with Cassidy leading the way with a goal and four assists. Coming into the game, the sophomore from West Seneca had one goal and three assists this season. He’s now tied for sixth on the team with nine points.

Radisa, a freshman from Caledon, Ontario, assisted on Cassidy’s goal and Balaban’s first.

“I think we have some really good chemistry,” Balaban said. “We haven’t played together a lot this season. But we played against Concordia the first game of the season; we had two goals. We had a game away; didn’t have a great game that game.

“But we got together tonight and talked before the game, just said keep our chemistry going. I think we did a great job tonight.”

Notes & Quotes

• Jared Docking’s second-period goal gave him three short-handed markers on the season, which is tied for first in Division III. Just one other Plattsburgh player has scored a shorty this season. Docking now leads the team with eight goals, and he has four in the last five games.

• Docking, a senior forward, wore the captain’s C Friday. Senior forward Patrick Jobb and senior defenseman Paul Puglisi had been the captains before Friday, but neither played against Middlebury.

• Middlebury has now lost three straight games and six of its last seven.

• Williams, Plattsburgh’s next opponent, beat Skidmore 6-2 Friday. The 13^th-ranked Ephs are 6-0-1 in their last seven games. They haven’t lost since Nov. 24 against Gustavaus Adolphus.

Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery: “We had a couple good bounces that went our way early in the game, and we were able to get a three-goal lead. When you have a three-goal lead, it kinda takes the wind out of the sails of your opponents.”

Middlebury coach Bill Beaney: “Kudos to Plattsburgh; they played well. And all I said to Bob (Emery) afterward is ‘I’m sorry we didn’t play better and give you a better game.’”

Balaban on facing Williams Saturday: “We gotta forget about tonight. We won, and that’s great and everything. But we need to forget about what happened tonight and just remember what we did to win this game.”