ECHL Game Recap: Savannah Ghost Pirates vs Atlanta Gladiators | 11/2/2024

The Savannah Ghost Pirates faced off against the Atlanta Gladiators at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah entered the game with a strong record of 4-1-0-0, their only loss being an away game against the Orlando Solar Bears on October 26, 2024. The Gladiators, looking to improve their standing, came in with a record of 2-2-1-0, aiming to build momentum after a mixed start to the season.

In goal for Atlanta was Ethan Haider, making his third professional start. Haider had a record of 1-1-0, with a 3.00 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. For Savannah, the experienced NHL veteran Keith Kinkaid was in net. Kinkaid has had a notable career, having played for teams such as the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Colorado Avalanche. He has had a solid start since joining the Ghost Pirates, recording his first ECHL win in his debut game on October 27, 2024, by making 20 saves on 21 shots, leading the team to a 4-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears.

Starting Lines – Atlanta

Starting Lines – Savannah

Team Statistics Heading into the Game

Atlanta Gladiators

• Record: 2-2-1
• Goals For: 8
• Goals Against: 13
• Shorthanded Goals: 1
• Power Play: 20.0%
• Penalty Kill: 80.0%

Savannah Ghost Pirates

• Record: 4-1-0
• Goals For: 19
• Goals Against: 8
• Power Play: 11%
• Penalty Kill: 100%

Period 1:

Ryan Hughes received a minor penalty for holding just 45 seconds into the first period and the Gladiators get their first shot at the PP. Blake Murray, in the near corner, passes up top to Cody Sylvester, who has an option in Derek Topatigh but he held onto it. Sylvester switched places with Murray, who now has the puck. Murray tries to pass through the legs of Ross Armour, but it goes past Topatigh at the point, and the Gladiators had to regroup. Despite several strong attempts, the Gladiators failed to convert on the power play opportunity and we returned to full strength.

At 7:46 Savannah’s Ross Armour scored the game’s first goal, assisted by Devon Paliani and Nicholas Zabaneh.

Atlanta’s Michael Marchesan received a minor penalty for cross-checking at 9:46 and the Gladiators headed to their first PK. Savannah seizes the opportunity as Paliani then scored the power-play goal at 10:38, assisted by Reece Vitelli and Nathan Staios. Savannah has outshot Atlanta 6-3 so far. The Atlanta Gladiators and Savannah Ghost Pirates continued to battle it out. The Savannah Ghost Pirates now lead the Atlanta Gladiators 2-0 early in the first period.

Here are the stats for the first period between Atlanta and Savannah:

• Score: Savannah scored 2 goals
• Shots on Goal: Both teams had 9 shots each.
• Penalties:
  • Savannah:
    • R. Hughes: 2 minutes for Holding at 0:45.
  • Atlanta:
    • M. Marchesan: 2 minutes for Cross-Checking at 9:46.

Savannah’s goals in the first period were:

1. R. Armour at 7:46, assisted by D. Paliani and N. Zabaneh.
2. D. Paliani at 10:38, assisted by R. Vitelli and N. Staios on a power play.

Period 2:

The second period of the game between the Atlanta Gladiators and the Savannah Ghost Pirates was intense, with both teams battling hard. Atlanta’s Jeremy Hanzel and Randy Hernández had early chances, but Savannah’s Keith Kincaid made some key saves. The Gladiators went on the power play after a penalty on Savannah’s Nick Granowicz, but despite some good opportunities, they couldn’t score. Savannah’s penalty kill remained strong, and the game continued with intense back-and-forth action.

Savannah’s head coach Jared Staal and the referees had a lengthy discussion about the penalty call. Kai Schwindt received a two-minute minor for slashing and a ten-minute misconduct, putting Savannah at a disadvantage. Kyle Jeffers also joined Schwindt in the penalty box.

Atlanta’s Cody Sylvester took a shot that was saved by Kincaid. The Gladiators won the ensuing faceoff, and P.J. Fletcher set up, but Savannah’s defense blocked several attempts. Blake Murray and Eric Neiley both had some good chances, but Kincaid was there and made the saves. The Gladiators continued to pressure, with Hanzel and Denomie creating opportunities, but Savannah managed to clear the puck multiple times. Despite the power play, Atlanta couldn’t capitalize, and the game remained at 2-0.

Savannah successfully killed three consecutive penalties. As the game returned to even strength, Atlanta’s Hanzel maneuvered behind his net and passed to Topatigh, who looked for an outlet. Josh Boyer and Ryan Cranford tried to create opportunities, but Savannah’s defense held strong. Hausinger faced pressure from Keltie Jeri-Leon but managed to clear the puck. Despite some good attempts from Cranford late in the frame, Savannah’s defense and goaltending kept the game tight.

On a 5-on-3 advantage caused by Marchesan’s delay of game and Datema’s subsequent slashing call, the Ghost Pirates slid one past Haider. Savannah’s goal was scored by Will Riedell at 19:36, assisted by D. Cesana and Riley Hughes on the power play. The Ghost Pirates led the Gladiators 3-0 at the end of the period.

Here are the stats for the second period between Atlanta and Savannah:

• Score: Savannah scored 1 goal, bringing the total to 3-0 in favor of Savannah.
• Shots on Goal: Atlanta had five shots, while Savannah had eight shots.
• Penalties:
  • Savannah:
    • N. Granowicz: 2 minutes for Interference at 3:56.
    • K. Schwindt: 2 minutes for Slashing and 10 minutes for Misconduct at 11:44.
  • Atlanta:
    • M. Marchesan: 2 minutes for Delay of Game at 17:39.
    • B. Datema: 2 minutes for Slashing at 19:30.

Period 3

Nathan Staios whipped it to the right side of the ice for Reece Vitelli, but a takeaway shorthanded here for Carson Denomie. Nearly had a step on Staios, but instead will be content with going wide and keeping possession of the puck.

Armour beneath the goal line, sets up Jeri-Leon. They are back to even strength, on a slap shot by Cesana who took the tip from Hughes, and missed the net just over Haider’s stick. Out of the box and onto the ice now was Brenden Datema. A huge check by Topatigh happened moments later as he bodied off two Ghost Pirates and separated them from the puck.

Cranford won the faceoff, and Andrew Jarvis moved the puck along on the backhand. Boyer was in the corner and centered it in front, but it missed Cranford. The puck went to the right point where Jarvis swung it down but Evan Nause for Savannah cleared it. Cranford then passed in front to Marchesan, who scored, putting the Gladiators on the board at 3:08 into the third period! After the goal, Zach Uens confronted Datema, leading to a fight where both players dropped their gloves. Datema took Uens to the ice. Both players received five-minute major penalties for fighting at 4:12.

As the clock ticked down on Zach Yoder’s two-minute minor for holding at 6:19, the puck traveled the length of the ice. A defensive lapse allowed Cesana to break through the middle. He passed to Riedell, who sent it down low, and the puck was pushed back to the blue line. Cesana managed to keep it in and aimed for Jeri-Leon in the left circle. The puck deflected off Jeri-Leon’s skate, and Hughes struggled to control it. Cesana, now at the right point, passed to Riedell on the left, who sent it deeper into the left circle to Jeri-Leon. Closely watched by Denomie, Jeri-Leon drifted up top and took a shot, but it was blocked and cleared by Atlanta’s Boyer, ending the Ghost Pirates’ power play. Savannah had a great opportunity during that power play, but Atlanta’s defense held strong, especially with Boyer clearing the puck to end the threat.

Kincaid quickly sent the puck up the ice, but Blake Murray intercepted it. Jeri-Leon then muscled his way past Murray into the offensive zone, forcing Hausinger back. Hausinger briefly lost control of the puck, but a quick pass from Murray to Hausinger set up Sylvester, who tipped it on goal. Kincaid made the save, but the puck remained loose. It came out to Hanzel between the circles, and he slipped it past Kincaid, scoring his first professional goal and making it 3-2 with 11:21 left in the third period. Hanzel’s shot rocketed over Kincaid’s glove, narrowing the game to a one-goal difference.

Later in the game, Yoder had a golden opportunity with a wide-open net, but he couldn’t get his stick on the puck quickly enough, allowing Kincaid to tap it away.

At 8:47 there was a fight between Atlanta’s Eric Neiley and Savannah’s E. Nause. Nause was ejected from the game in the third period after receiving multiple penalties. He was penalized for cross-checking, which resulted in a five-minute major penalty. Additionally, he received a two-minute minor for slashing and a ten-minute game misconduct penalty for the cross-checking incident all of which led to his ejection from the game. Eric Neiley was also involved in the sequence that led to Evan Nause’s penalties and received a minor penalty for roughing.

With Atlanta now down by two, Haider was pulled from the net in the final moments of the third period (18:30). However, the Ghost Pirates secured an insurance goal when Liam Walsh, assisted by Vitelli and Hughes, scored into the vacant net, extending their lead to two. Shortly after, a whistle stopped the subsequent play, and a puck that slipped between Kincaid’s legs went under review but was ultimately ruled “no goal.” The game concluded with Atlanta falling to Savannah, 4-2.

Here are the stats for the third period between the Atlanta Gladiators and the Savannah Ghost Pirates:

Game Notes

Highlights:

• Savannah took an early lead with two goals in the first period and extended it with another goal in the second period.
• Atlanta made a comeback attempt in the third period. Despite being down 3-0, Atlanta’s two goals in the third period showed their resilience and briefly shifted momentum in their favor. However, Savannah’s empty-net goal by L. Walsh ultimately sealed the game.
• Atlanta significantly increased their offensive pressure in the third period, taking 17 shots compared to Savannah’s five. This relentless attack helped them score two goals and closed the gap.
• Hanzel and Marchesan stepped up, not only by scoring but also by creating opportunities and maintaining high energy levels on the ice.
• The game featured several penalties, including a fight in the third period.
• Successfully killing off multiple Atlanta power plays, including a critical 5-on-3, Savannah’s lead remained intact and held back Atlanta’s offense.

The third period was particularly action-packed with multiple goals and penalties, making for an exciting finish. Both teams have a busy schedule ahead and both look like they’ll be facing some tough competition in the coming week. Up next for the Atlanta Gladiators will continue their road trip as they face off against the South Carolina Stingrays Sunday afternoon at 3:05 PM, while the Savannah Ghost Pirates will take on the Orlando Solar Bears at 7:00 PM on Monday evening.