Brighton hockey player Landon Whitlock shines in playoff opener

Senior forward's gritty play helps Bulldogs advance in postseason

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Brighton hockey senior Landon Whitlock had a goal and two assists while blocking four shots in the team's 7-1 playoff win over Ann Arbor Pioneer. Whitlock, who learned about the intensity of playoff hockey as a sophomore, has elevated his game this season as a leader for the Bulldogs, who are one of the hottest teams in Michigan heading into the regional finals.

Why it matters

Whitlock's performance highlights the importance of playoff experience and leadership, as the Bulldogs look to capture their sixth consecutive regional championship. Brighton's ability to overcome a slow start and pull away showcases the team's depth and resilience, which will be crucial in the high-stakes postseason.

The details

Whitlock opened the scoring for Brighton with a first-period goal, but Pioneer tied the game in the second period. The Bulldogs then erupted for four goals in a span of 8 minutes and 13 seconds to pull away. In addition to his offensive contributions, Whitlock was praised for his willingness to sacrifice his body and block shots, a hallmark of Brighton's gritty style of play.

  • Whitlock scored the opening goal for Brighton with 3:10 left in the first period.
  • Pioneer's Sean Stone tied the game on the power play with 12:47 left in the second period.
  • Eddie Wheeler scored the go-ahead goal for Brighton with 4:57 left in the second period, sparking a four-goal outburst.
  • Brighton will seek its sixth consecutive regional championship on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:45 PM.

The players

Landon Whitlock

A senior forward for the Brighton hockey team who had a goal and two assists while blocking four shots in the playoff opener. Whitlock learned about the intensity of playoff hockey as a sophomore and has elevated his game this season as a leader for the Bulldogs.

Kurt Kivisto

The head coach of the Brighton hockey team, who praised Whitlock's gritty play and ability to contribute in all facets of the game.

Cam Duffany

An all-state forward for Brighton who played with Whitlock as a sophomore, when Whitlock had a more limited role.

Lane Petit

Another all-state forward for Brighton who played with Whitlock as a sophomore.

Eddie Wheeler

A Brighton player who scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, sparking the Bulldogs' four-goal outburst.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a Brighton thing to be a dog. It's what we're known for is blocked shots. It's just what we do. It's just what you do for the team.”

— Landon Whitlock, Senior forward (Yahoo Sports)

“He just works. He's an absolute dog. He does a tremendous job on the penalty kill blocking shots and just grinds. He's a guy who goes and retrieves pucks and makes things happen on the forecheck. He's just really, really valuable for our team.”

— Kurt Kivisto, Head coach (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

Brighton will face the winner of the Northville-Novi regional semifinal on Wednesday, February 25 at 7:45 PM, as the Bulldogs seek their sixth consecutive regional championship.

The takeaway

Whitlock's gritty performance in the playoff opener showcases the importance of playoff experience and leadership, as the Bulldogs look to make a deep postseason run. Brighton's ability to overcome a slow start and pull away demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, which will be crucial in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.