The Savannah Ghost Pirates sent their home crowd into the postseason on a high note Sunday evening, defeating the Atlanta Gladiators 4–2 in front of a sold-out Enmarket Arena. The ECHL season saw the Ghost Pirates control the pace early, hold firm defensively, and outshoot Atlanta 36–18. Savannah’s balanced scoring and goaltending helped them seal the win, while Atlanta’s late push fell short despite two strong individual efforts.
First Period
It took most of the opening frame for either team to break through, but Savannah’s aggressive forecheck and zone pressure eventually overwhelmed Atlanta’s defensive structure. After generating multiple high-danger chances, the Ghost Pirates finally broke the deadlock late in the period.
GOAL (16:51): Connor Gregga (SAV) from Matt Choupani and Nick Granowicz
GOAL (17:13): Josh Davies (SAV) from Ryan Sullivan
Gregga opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, finishing a clean zone entry with a quick shot from the right circle. Less than a minute later, Davies buried his 11th after Sullivan fed him from behind the net.
The opening frame was all Savannah, as they set the tone with relentless puck pursuit and crisp puck movement. Atlanta was limited to just two shots on goal in the period and spent much of their time fending off the forecheck. Savannah took a commanding 2–0 lead into the intermission.
Stats
Score: Savannah 2, Atlanta 0
Shots on Goal: Savannah 16, Atlanta 2
Power Plays: Savannah 0/0, Atlanta 0/0
Penalties: None
Second Period
Atlanta showed signs of life in the second period, skating with more urgency and creating better transition plays. However, it was Savannah that struck first again, stretching their lead before Atlanta could settle in.
GOAL (7:36): Nick Granowicz (SAV) from Josh Luedtke and Zach Uens
Granowicz went for the wrap around attempt and it paid off, beating Ethan Haider to make it 3–0. But Atlanta didn’t fold.
GOAL (16:40): Tyler Drevitch (ATL) from Ryan Cranford
Tyler Drevitch cleaned up a loose puck in front for his third of the season, after Ryan Cranford worked it off the near back wall and fed it into the crease late in the second period to finally put the Gladiators on the board.
Atlanta looked more composed in the second, registering 10 shots after a flat opening 20 minutes. But once again, Savannah struck first, building on their lead before the Gladiators could find a rhythm.
Stats
Score: Savannah 1, Atlanta 1
Shots on Goal: Savannah 9, Atlanta 10
Power Plays: Savannah 0/2, Atlanta 0/1
Penalties: Savannah – Michael Suda (Interference, 2:00 at 15:38)
Atlanta – Anthony Firriolo (Roughing, 2:00 at 4:32), Brenden Datema (Hooking, 2:00 at 13:32)
Third Period
With time winding down in the third, Atlanta needed to find a spark—and they got it. A late push paid off with a crucial goal to make it a one-goal game.
Jordan Frasca capitalized when Kincaid went down his first of the season to pull Atlanta within one after sliding the puck to the back of the net.
GOAL (18:05): Jordan Frasca (ATL), unassisted
The Gladiators pulled Ethan Haider shortly after, pressing with the extra attacker in the final minute. They generated a quick look off the rush, but Savannah weathered the pressure with a composed defensive stand.
GOAL (18:52): Keaton Pehrson (SAV), unassisted – Empty Net Goal
Keaton Pehrson corralled the puck and sent a clean shot the full length of the ice, burying it into the empty net to seal the win for Savannah with just seconds remaining.
Stats
Score: Savannah 1, Atlanta 1
Shots on Goal: Savannah 11, Atlanta 6
Power Plays: Savannah 0/3, Atlanta 0/0
Penalties: Atlanta – Alex Young (Roughing, 2:00 at 7:12), Tyler Drevitch (Slashing, 2:00 at 14:01), Connor Galloway (Roughing, 2:00 at 19:03)
Final Stats
Score: Savannah 4, Atlanta 2
Shots on Goal: Savannah 36, Atlanta 18
Power Plays: Savannah 0/5, Atlanta 0/1
Penalties: Savannah 1, Atlanta 5
Goaltending Summary
Keith Kinkaid (SAV) stopped 16 of 18 shots to earn the win in a composed, efficient outing.
Ethan Haider (ATL) made 32 saves on 35 shots in the loss. Atlanta also allowed one empty-net goal.
Three Stars of the Game
Nick Granowicz (SAV) – 1 goal, 1 assist
Josh Davies (SAV) – 1 goal
Keaton Pehrson (SAV) – 1 goal (EN), strong defensive play
Game Summary
The Savannah Ghost Pirates closed out their regular-season home schedule with a 4–2 victory over the Atlanta Gladiators on Sunday at Enmarket Arena. Savannah struck twice in the final minutes of the first period and controlled much of the game, outshooting Atlanta 36–18. Nick Granowicz led the way with a goal and an assist, while Josh Davies and Connor Gregga also found the scoresheet. Keaton Pehrson sealed the game with a long-range empty-net goal in the final minute. Atlanta’s offense came late, with second and third-period goals from Tyler Drevitch and Jordan Frasca, but the early deficit proved too steep to climb. Savannah went 0-for-5 on the power play while holding Atlanta scoreless on their lone chance.
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