New Hartland goalie blanks Brighton, states case for more ice time
HARTLAND — Trying to manage a three-headed monster at the goaltending position can be difficult for a hockey coach, figuring out how to provide enough reps in practice and trying to keep each player sharp in game situations.
Imagine how difficult it is for the goalies, particularly the ones seeing the least amount of action.
Gaige Dieugenio is one of three juniors trying to land the No. 1 spot in net for Hartland when the games matter the most in the state playoffs.
He strengthened his case Saturday afternoon by making 16 saves in fourth-ranked Hartland’s 5-0 shutout of second-ranked Brighton at Hartland Sports Center.
Dieugenio started for only the third time in Hartland’s 11 games. Brady Hubenschmidt has started six times, getting most of the big games. Nolan Brown has two starts.
“It’s definitely hard, but you’ve just got to earn your spot, earn your playing time,” Dieugenio said.
Dieugenio made it a crowded goaltending mix at Hartland when he enrolled at the school this year. He is originally from Pennsylvania, moving to Michigan to play AAA hockey for Biggby Coffee last year. He played for Ringgold High School in Pennsylvania as a freshman two years ago.
So, while most of the players on the ice Saturday grew up around the Brighton-Hartland rivalry, it was all new for Dieugenio. His previous two starts were in an 8-0 shutout of Novi and a 3-1 victory over Plymouth.
“It’s definitely a lot faster than the games I’ve played so far, a lot more physical,” he said. “It felt like it meant more.”
In three starts, Dieugenio is 3-0 with a 0.34 goals against average, two shutouts and a .976 save percentage.
The Eagles kept him insulated Saturday, holding a potent Brighton attack to 16 shots while returning 40 on Brighton senior Ryan Nickerson. Dieugenio did have to come up big on a breakaway by Freddie Londo with 22 seconds left in the second period. After making the save, Dieugenio was crashed into, precipitating a scrum behind the net.
“I was nervous, because there was a breakaway coming down,” he said. “I saved it, got pushed into. Then everybody started scrapping. It is what it is.”
In recent years, Hartland coach Rick Gadwa has gone with one starting goalie throughout the Eagles’ playoff runs, which typically reach USA Hockey Arena for at least the state semifinals.
But going with a tandem is not without precedent. Hartland rotated seniors Brent Pietila and Nick Wineka during its run to the state Division 2 championship game in 2014.
“Everyone wants to play all the time,” Gadwa said. “The truth is, we have three good guys. They’re a group that was challenged, too. They’ve been good. They’ve been really good, but we’re trying to get everyone to another level. We try not to let the entitlement get in there. There’s always an expectation that you have to earn it. They’ve done a good job as a group staying focused and having an eye on the prize, because it’s hard when there’s three and you don’t know who’s going what night.”
The Eagles helped calm the nerves of their goaltender by jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first 7:15 on goals by Michael Zielinski and Jake Pietila. Hartland extended its lead to 4-0 after two periods on power-play goals by defensemen Eli Sturos and Ty Kraut.
LJ Sabala scored the final goal with 7:55 left in the game.
It was not a typical Brighton-Hartland game. The last four meetings required extra time, either in a shootout in two Thanksgiving tournaments or overtime in the other games.
The margin was the most lopsided in the rivalry since Brighton’s 7-1 victory on Feb. 20, 2014.
Brighton remained without two key pieces in second-team all-state defenseman Ryan Watkins and center Charlie Burchfield. The Bulldogs also played at 8 p.m. the previous night in Livonia, rallying to win 4-2 over Stevenson, before making the short trip to Hartland for a 1 p.m. game.
“Obviously, we’re a different team when you have those guys,” Brighton coach Kurt Kivisto said. “Ryan’s so good defensively. He really helps out our back end when he’s back. He solidifies us back there. Charlie hasn’t been scored on five-on-five this year. He makes a huge difference when he’s in our lineup. He’s so good at faceoffs. His compete level, the way he blocks shots, he makes a big difference every time he’s on the ice.”
The Bulldogs hope to be at full strength before they host Hartland in the rivals' third meeting of the season at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 in the game that will count in the KLAA standings.
Brighton’s next game is against its other Livingston County rival at 7 p.m. Thursday against fifth-ranked Howell at Kensington Valley Ice House.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: New Hartland goalie blanks Brighton, states case for more ice time
