Friday night, Brighton traveled to Corner Canyon in a top-five matchup that featured the No. 1 Bengals taking on the No. 4 Chargers in a rematch of last year’s Class A semi-final game in which Brighton defeated Corner Canyon in overtime.
Brighton got on the board first as Blake Yates found a cutting Josh Nelson for an easy score. Jon King of Corner Canyon quickly answered and evened the score at 1-1. Both defenses played aggressively, forcing several turnovers that led to quick transition goals. At the end of the first quarter, sophomore, Carter Budge found LSM, MJ Cirillo in front of the net to take a 3-2 lead.
Corner Canyon’s Tyler Walters scored two quick goals to start the second quarter followed by Josh Nydegger’s two goals assisted by Carter Budge and Kyler Kehl. Yates added another goal just before halftime to knot things up at 6-6.
In the second half, the Bengals’ defense tightened up and held the Chargers’ attack to just two goals. Seniors, Canyon Curtis, Cole Moore, Brayden Kenny and Cole Felis with the help of MJ Cirillo, Aiden Bruce and Scott Cook led a stingy defense that caused thirteen turnovers during the game.
The matchup also featured some great work at the wings and face-off X by both teams. Corner Canyon’s duo of Shawn Hewitt and Anthony Mackay came into the game with an average faceoff win percentage of 57 percent for the season. Brighton’s sophomore sensation, Owen Hanks and teammates Blake Yates and Bubba Nielsen won a staggering 72 percent of the battles at the X.
Corner Canyon’s Mason Quick opened the third quarter with a score to give the Chargers the lead. Carter Budge then fired a laser pass to Josh Nydegger to tie the score at 7-7. Kyler Kehl also got on the board on a nice feed from the senior, Ben Bunker, to make the score 8-7. Corner Canyon then tied it up back at 8-8 to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Brighton cleaned up its turnovers and were defensively dominant — they didn’t allow any goals in the fourth quarter. Josh Nyddgger grabbed his fourth goal of the game to give Brighton the lead while Blake Yates added another to secure the win.
On Wednesday, Brighton will host Bingham at home and recognize their departing seniors and will then travel to Riverton on Friday.
Game statistics will be posted to this link as soon as they become available.
