GMHL Game of the Week: December 1st to 7th 2025

Rattlers Edge Stars in a Heavyweight 1st-vs-1st Clash at the GMHL Showcase

December 10th, 2025 at 10:09PM December 11th, 2025 4:14AM

The Game of the Week for December 1st to 7th featured a rare and highly anticipated matchup between the North Division–leading Bradford Rattlers and the South Division–leading Northumberland Stars, meeting on neutral ice at the Gale Centre during Day 1 of the GMHL Showcase. In one of the most intense games of the season, the Rattlers earned a hard-fought 4–3 victory behind elite goaltending and a four-point performance from captain Isac Karlsson. Both teams entered the contest atop their divisions, and the game delivered at every level—pace, physicality, skill, and high-pressure special teams play.

Game Summary

1st Period

The scoring opened on a Bradford power play, where Jonathan Wennas finished a setup from Karlsson to give the Rattlers the early edge.

Northumberland quickly responded when Dario Alimonti tied the game off a broken play in the slot.

The period remained tight, with both sides generating chances—35 combined shots—but the teams stayed even after 20 minutes.

2nd Period

Northumberland struck first in the middle frame as Rasmus Dahlqvist buried a chance created by Billy Sancibrian and Tristan Miron.

But Bradford responded with their best stretch of the game, scoring three straight:

Karlsson tied it on the power play with an unassisted snipe.

Gabriel Mamedov put Bradford back in front on a feed from Karlsson and Adam Dobrecky.

Dobrecky added another late in the period, converting a pass from Sergey Tsarev with Karlsson adding his third assist of the afternoon.

Bradford carried a 4–2 lead into the final period.

3rd Period

The Stars made things interesting early as Ryan Boon scored a power-play goal to cut the deficit to one.

Despite a furious Northumberland push and a 22–shot third period, the Rattlers held firm behind exceptional goaltending from Patrik Cullin, securing a statement win between the league’s two top-ranked teams.

Goaltending Battle

Both goaltenders were tested relentlessly in this fast-paced clash.

Patrik Cullin (BRA) was outstanding, stopping 51 of 54 shots (.944 SV%), including multiple high-danger chances in the final minutes to preserve the victory.

At the other end, Ivan Kremnev (NOR) was equally impressive, turning aside 58 of 62 shots (.935 SV%) in one of the busiest performances by any netminder so far this season.

This matchup showcased two of the league’s premier goaltenders rising to the moment under heavy pressure.