For the second time this season, Brighton and Hartland meet at the Hartland Sports Center in a matchup of two of the state’s best high school hockey teams.
This meeting, though, has the KLAA championship at stake.
The Bulldogs (18-4-1), winners of the Kensington Conference, take on Lakes Conference champion Hartland (21-2) for the fourth time in five years with the league title at stake.
Game time is 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on The Livingston Post at 12:50 p.m.
“I think it’s awesome for our community that we’ve got Hartland where they’re at and we’re where we’re at,” Brighton coach Paul Moggach said. “It should be a great game not just for the community but for the whole state. It’s a premier game, and we’re honored to be in it.”
The teams met on Nov. 30, with Hartland winning in overtime 3-2. It was a game that stuck in Brighton’s craw due to a goal being disallowed in regulation that would have won it.
Nearly three months later, it’s “ancient history,” as Moggach put it.
“It doesn’t mean anything at this point,” he said. “They were short some players then. It’s just a memory for us, and not a good memory. Maybe we can use it, maybe we can’t. It starts all over (today) at 1.p.m.”
Hartland comes into the game flying, having won 14 of its last 15, including a 4-2 win over Detroit Catholic Central on its home ice on Wednesday.
Brighton had won eight of nine before a loss at Northville Feb. 10 and a 2-2 tie at Stevenson on Wednesday.
“Northville’s a good team and Stevenson’s a good team,” Moggach said. “We need to be tested at this time of year, and I think we were. I thought (the Stevenson game) was one of our best of the season. I’m happy with where we’re at.”
Hartland features a high-powered offense, led by Josh Albring, whose 46 assists are one point less than the next highest scorer, Jed Pietila with 47 points. Albring has 64 points overall, and Pietila’s total comes despite his missing five weeks early in the season, including the Brighton game, due to injury.
In all, Hartland has five players with 10 or more goals, with Jake Behnke (22) and Blake Heier (20) leading the way. The Eagles have outscored opponents 135-36 this season.
Brighton prides itself on defense, and it will be tested by the Eagles.
“We can’t give up goals like we did last time,” he said. “If we keep them to two or under, we’ll be in good shape. That’s the most important thing for us.”
Brighton had won four titles in a row before Hartland won last year. Regardless of who wins, both teams, being in different divisions, are considered contenders to win state titles this year, Brighton in Division 1 and Hartland in Division 2.
“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Moggach said. “I’m looking forward to playing Hartland again.”
