Hartland's Brenden Tulpa has four game-winning goals vs. Brighton.
When a big goal needed to be scored in a hockey game between Hartland and Brighton, of course it was Brenden Tulpa who found a way to make it happen.
Tulpa’s goal just 13 seconds into the second period broke a scoreless deadlock and propelled Hartland to its seventh straight victory in the rivalry, 4-0, Wednesday night at Hartland Sports Center.
With Brett Tome posting the shutout, the first goal held up as Tulpa’s fourth game-winner in five career games against Brighton.
The first time Tulpa faced the Bulldogs as a sophomore, he scored a late game-tying goal, then popped in the overtime winner. He broke a 1-1 tie with 4:33 left in a 2-1 victory in the teams’ first meeting last season, then broke a 2-2 tie in the second period of a 4-2 victory in the rematch between two teams that would ultimately win state championships in their respective divisions.
Tulpa has plenty to look forward to in the final month of his high school career, but he will certainly miss playing Brighton.
“It’s always a fun, energetic game,” Tulpa said. “We all bring out a lot of students. It’s the best game of the year every year.
On Tulpa’s goal, defenseman John Druskinis skated the puck in from the right point and passed it in front. Tulpa’s redirection of the pass was stopped by goalie Harrison Fleming, but Tulpa knocked in the rebound.
If Tulpa’s goal didn’t alter the momentum of the game, Chet L’Esperance’s goal just 31 seconds later certainly did. A shot from the point by Sam Kastamo deflected in off L’Esperance, who was skating in front of the net.
The Bulldogs were not without chances against Tome.
They had two five-on-three power plays, one that lasted 41 seconds in the first period, another that lasted two minutes early in the third.
Tome has fashioned quite a resume against the Bulldogs, as well. He is 4-0 against Brighton with a 1.20 goals-against average and .951 save percentage.
"It's a pretty exciting game," Tome said. "They're always one of the teams we have marked on our schedule. We just want to beat them every time."
About two minutes after Tome stopped the breakaway, Hartland (18-3) extended its lead to three goals when defenseman Grant Briggs took a drop pass from Adam Pietila in the slot and buried his shot with 3:31 left in the second period.
Owen Pietila ended the scoring with 3:38 left in the game.
Brighton (8-12) now hopes history repeats itself. The Bulldogs bounced back from late-season losses to Hartland the past two seasons to win the Division 1 state championship.