GMHL Game of the Week: Ville-Marie Pirates vs. Bradford Rattlers Recap

Sunday, November 17th, 2024 – BWG Leisure Centre, Bradford, Ontario

The GMHL Game of the Week took its time revealing itself, but the wait was worth it as the Ville-Marie Pirates handed the Bradford Rattlers their first loss of the season in a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory. This matchup, the final game scheduled for the week of November 11th to 17th, brought together two perennial North Division titans in an unforgettable contest.

A Clash of Perennial Titans

The Bradford Rattlers entered the game with an undefeated 12-0-0 record, fueled by the stellar play of defensemen William Hoffman and Jonathan Wennas, who have been among the team’s standout performers this season. Hoffman’s offensive prowess has made him a key figure in the Rattlers’ success, while Wennas has consistently contributed both offensively and defensively.

For the Ville-Marie Pirates, this victory improved their record to 11-8-0, reaffirming their status as one of the division’s toughest competitors. With goaltender Maxim Audet delivering a stellar performance and forward Mathis Bernard continuing his strong season, the Pirates showed they are capable of challenging any opponent.

Game Summary

First Period: Bradford Strikes First

The Rattlers took control in the opening period, breaking the deadlock at 15:35 when William Hoffman set up Tomas Lucenius for a goal, with Matvei Munits also earning an assist. Ville-Marie managed to keep it close, thanks to the strong goaltending of Maxim Audet, who stopped 10 of 11 shots in the frame.

Second Period: Pirates Fight Back

Ville-Marie responded early in the second period, tying the game at 3:42 on a goal by Mathieu Barabé, assisted by Mathis Bernard. Bradford regained the lead on a power-play marker from Artyom Borisov at 5:59, but the Pirates answered back at 13:36 when Danick Latour buried a goal, assisted by Jacob Boudreau. Ville-Marie outshot Bradford 16-12 in a back-and-forth period that ended with the game tied 2-2.

Third Period: Late Drama

The Rattlers retook the lead at 14:20 with another power-play goal, this time from William Hoffman, assisted by Wennas. However, Ville-Marie refused to go away. With just over a minute left in regulation, Mathis Laverdure tied the game at 18:56, with Bernard and Latour earning the assists. Both teams had chances to win in the dying moments, but the game remained deadlocked, sending it to overtime.

Overtime and Shootout: Pirates Prevail

Overtime featured thrilling action, with Ville-Marie outshooting Bradford 5-6 and both goaltenders coming up big. In the shootout, it was Mathis Bernard who delivered the decisive goal, capping off a three-point night and sealing the victory for Ville-Marie.

Key Performances

Maxim Audet (Ville-Marie): Audet was outstanding, making 41 saves on 44 shots for a .932 save percentage. His calm and consistent play in overtime and the shootout was instrumental in the Pirates’ win.

Mathis Bernard (Ville-Marie): Bernard was the game’s offensive star, registering a goal and two assists before scoring the shootout winner. His leadership on the ice was critical to the Pirates’ success.

William Hoffman (Bradford): Hoffman scored a key power-play goal and added an assist, showcasing his ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice.

Zach Thomsson (Bradford): Thomsson stood tall in net, making 44 saves on 48 shots for a .917 save percentage, keeping the Rattlers in the game through relentless pressure from Ville-Marie.

Implications and What’s Next

The Rattlers, now 12-0-1, remain in control of their destiny in North Division despite suffering their first loss of the season, a big 2 game series with the River Dragons next Sunday and the following Tuesday will be huge on the division outlook. With Hoffman and Wennas leading their defensive core, they will look to bounce back and continue their dominant campaign.

The Pirates, sitting at 11-8-0, showed they have the skill and resilience to challenge the best teams in the division and are currently riding a 5 game win streak. With Audet in net and Bernard and Latour driving their offense, Ville-Marie has the tools to push for greater success as the season progresses.

This battle between two North Division powerhouses was a fitting conclusion to the GMHL’s week of action, leaving fans eager for the next chapter in this storied rivalry.