NEWS RELEASE
BRADFORD RATTLERS
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The Bradford Rattlers hosted the South Muskoka Shield on Sunday, Nov. 13 for the 1st annual Military Appreciation Night added to their Remembrance Day Ceremonies.
The evening began with flag bearers Massino Addeo and Antonio Corsi attending the ice and completing two laps with the Bradford Rattlers flags flying overhead, while under spotlight generously provided by team sponsor Upsight & Sound Inc from Barrie.
The Rattlers then welcomed the Bradford Legion for attending the game, along Veteran Brian Mallett who participated in the evening's official puck drop. Mr. Mallett, a member of the RAF from 1949 – 1963 was accompanied by other Legion Members along with Newmarket Cadet Alexander Cuipac. Cuipac presented the Legion with a Remembrance Day wreath after the puck drop on behalf of the Rattlers and sponsored by the Bradford Curling Club.
After the puck drop Barrie resident and member of the Newmarket Citizens Band and After Hours Big Band, Gordon Wilkes graced us with the playing of the Last Post and Revieree. The Revieree was followed by the Canadian Military Wives Choir – Borden Chapter singing O’Canada and also being presented a Remembrance Day wreath on behalf of the Rattlers and sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
The game began with a quiet first period resulting in a 0-0 score at the start of the first intermission. The first intermission, however, started off with cheers as the Bradford Youth players took the ice for the first three minutes for the Rattlers first youth intermission mini-game! Participants had the opportunity of meeting Rattler players in the halls prior to hitting the ice and enjoying an amazing night of hockey.
The 2nd period saw the Rattlers snatching the first goal over halfway through the period, with a sniper shot by Jacob Rhodin (#91) assisted by Jesper Eriksson (#8) at 11:44. However, the Rattlers would be plagued with penalties for the remainder of the period resulting in Power play goals by The Shield at 14:18 by Bradeon Mitchell and again at 18:35 by Tom Breikss to end the second period 2-1 in favour of the Shield.
Inspired by their meeting with the Bradford Cadets during the second intermission and Coach Dave Mooney speech in the back room, the team would come back in the third period with a strong offensive. Scoring early in the third with a goal at 1:07 by Hunter Godmere (#20 ) and assisted by Swen Meusy (#12) would make the game a short-lived tie when the Rattlers scored again at 3:04 by William-Daniel Burns (22) assisted by Godmere and Meusy. The Rattlers would proceed to score three more unanswered goals with pucks drained at 9:52 by Adam Wikowski, 10:17 by Stepan Leviskiy and ending the night with a short handed goal by Swen Meusy at 14:04.
The game would finish on Meusy’s last goal for a final score of 6-2.
The game's three stars were:
• 1st - Swen Meusy
• 2nd - Hunter Godmere
• 3rd - Oliver Balazs
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