Division 1: For Brighton, 11 is Enough

March 10, 2012

PLYMOUTH – Brighton had only 11 shots on goal in Saturday’s Division 1 Final.

But the Bulldogs needed only four to go in – including senior Chet Daavettila’s game-winner with 1 minute, 32 seconds to play.

Brighton claimed its second MHSAA title and first since 2006 by outlasting Grosse Pointe North 4-3 in the season’s final game at Compuware Arena.

“My brother won it last time. He was on the team in 2006,” Daavettila said. “He was giving me ribs about if we lose. And we won, so it was a great relief.”

How Brighton (24-4-2) won was similar to how it advanced with a 2-1 double overtime win over Orchard Lake St. Mary in the Semifinal. In that game, and despite the extra time, the Bulldogs had just 15 shots on goal.

Sophomore Troy Marrett, junior Zach Morgan and senior Tommy Kivisto all scored Saturday as Brighton opened a 3-1 lead four minutes into the second period. But senior Joe Aluia scored two of his three goals to pull Grosse Pointe North (15-15) even less than four minutes into the third period.

“He’s been one of our guys that had the heart and soul of our team all year long, and especially in the playoffs he really came to play and put the team on his back,” Norsemen coach Scott Lock said. “Tonight he was fantastic. He could’ve probably had two or three more goals with some luck on his side.

"I thought he was going to get us over the top. But even after we tied it up we had all the chances again, and we made a bad mistake in our own zone. We leave a guy free, and it ends up in our net.”

Brighton closed the season on a 10-game winning streak and gave up just six goals total in six playoff games.

“I thought today and yesterday we had a tough time finding a way,” Brighton coach Paul Moggach said. “But we found a way to do it. And I’m really proud of how they did it. It was a tough road, but they came through at the end.”

Click for the Division 1 Final box score. 

PHOTO courtesy of Hockey Weekly. Brighton sophomore Brett Pietila moves the puck ahead during Saturday's second period.

State Champs! Sports Network: 2023-24 Hockey Time Episode 3

December 14, 2023

Join Jonathon Kidd and Sean Baligian for the another edition of State Champs! Hockey Time.

KLAA-MIHL Showcase Recap

1:54 - Carlson vs. Canton
2:26 - Port Huron Northern vs. Plymouth
3:13 - Livonia Red Stallions vs. Grosse Pointe South
4:23 - U of D Jesuit vs. Salem
5:29 - De La Salle vs. Northville
5:57 - Orchard Lake Saint Mary's vs. Howell
6:32 - Trenton vs. Livonia Stevenson
7:37 - Hartland vs. Brother Rice
8:39 - Detroit Catholic Central vs. Brighton

10:13 - Division 3 Showcase Recap
Bay City Wolves, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Flint Powers

11:47 - Traverse City West vs. Traverse City Recap
12:07 - Grosse Pointe North's first victory
12:22 - STATE CHAMPS! Warrior Hockey Player of the Year Update
13:22 - STATE CHAMPS! Flow Competition Update
16:53 - Coaches' Corner with Sean Baligian and David Mitchell
26:40 - STATE CHAMPS! Warrior Hockey "Wall Award" Update

Previews:
28:12 - Trenton at Riverview Gabriel Richard
28:55 - Orchard Lake Saint Mary's at Hartland
29:11 - Brighton at Hartland
29:26 - Salem at Plymouth
29:45 - Clarkston at De La Salle
30:00 - Byron Center vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central
30:24 - Forest Hills Central vs. Bay City Wolves
30:46 - Trenton vs. U of D Jesuit