ECHL Game Recap: Savannah Ghost Pirates vs Atlanta Gladiators | 11/29/2024

The Atlanta Gladiators faced off against the Savannah Ghost Pirates in an intense matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats. It was Marvel Night, with the Gladiators channeling Wolverine and the Ghost Pirates embracing the persona of Deadpool. Both teams entered the game with high energy and determination. Atlanta was eager to avenge their previous encounter earlier this month and battle it out on the ice. The Gladiators aimed to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Ghost Pirates sought to disrupt their plans with a strong defensive strategy. From the first puck drop, the game was filled with thrilling plays, strategic maneuvers, and impressive saves, making it a memorable contest for all who watched or listened live

Last Matchup

In their most recent encounter on November 2, 2024, Savannah triumphed over Atlanta with a score of 4-2 at Enmarket Arena. Savannah started strong, securing an early advantage with goals from Ross Armour and Devon Paliani in the first period. Will Riedell further increased the lead with a power play goal in the second period. Atlanta fought back in the third period, scoring through Michael Marchesan and Jeremy Hanzel, but Savannah clinched the win with an empty-net goal by Liam Walsh. Savannah’s Keith Kinkaid was exceptional in goal, making 29 saves out of 31 shots during that game.

Atlanta Gladiators Starting Line:

Goalie:
Drew DeRidder – 34

Defensemen:
Dylan Carabia – 27
Derek Topatigh (A) – 28

Forwards:
Ryan Cranford – 21
Michael Marchesan – 33
Tyler Drevitch – 74

Savannah Ghost Pirates Starting Line:

Goalie:
Keith Kinkaid – 30

Defensemen:
Zach Uens – 7
Evan Nause – 26

Forwards:
Liam Arnsby – 11
Logan Drevitch – 22
Devon Paliani – 77

Atlanta’s Scratches: Easton Armstrong and Domiks Marcinkevics; Connor Galloway (IR) and Joshua Boyer (IR)

Savannah’s Scratches: Pito Walton, Ross Armour, Keaton Pehrson, Graham McPhee, Kyle Jeffers

First Period:

Tyler Drevitch made his debut with the Gladiators after returning from IR. Drew DeRidder took his first shot and caught the puck, making a glove save on Dennis Cesana. Patriks Marcinkevics almost got the flicker shot into the net on a breakaway but just missed. Netminder Keith Kinkaid later successfully blocked the shot on goal from PJ Fletcher after it was deflected. Meanwhile, DeRidder made a sliding move to intercept a breakaway attempt just as Savannah’s Logan Drevitch lifted the puck over his legs (3:08), with Devon Paliani on the assist. Eric Neiley passed the puck to Jackson Pierson, but the latter was unable to gain control of it. Blake Murray put forth a solid effort, but Kinkaid’s stop prevented any chance for a shot on goal. Andrew Jarvis positioned himself for the shot, delivering a pinpoint laser past Kinkaid, resulting in a tie score of 1-1. Zach Yoder and Christian Hausinger got the assists.

Just moments later, Fletcher capitalized on a turnover, netting his first professional goal and giving the Gladiators a 2-1 lead.

The Ghost Pirates took a timeout, and during the next play, a heated exchange occurred behind the net as T. Drevitch and Paliani engaged in discussion.

The Gladiators received a penalty following a boarding call on Derek Topatigh at 7:23. On the following power play the Ghost Pirates sent it up and out as Reece Vitelli’s shot was blocked by Cody Sylvester. Drew DeRidder made another save after the slap shot by Nathan Staios. However, just moments later, with just one second left on the power play, Josh Davies scored the goal, with Devon Paliani and Nathan Staios providing the assists (9:23). Undeterred, the Gladiators responded minutes later as Randy Hernández got the biscuit in the basket, with Brenden Datema on the assist, giving Atlanta the lead once again at 3-2 (11:07).

Missed pass from Hernández to Jarvis. A delayed penalty was called on Savannah as Liam Walsh was penalized for cross-checking at 16:14. During the power play, Sylvester took a shot on goal, but Kinkaid successfully made the save. Neiley fired from the front not just once, but twice, with the second shot being particularly fierce. Riley Hughes went to the sin bin after that play, sending the Gladiators on a 5-on-3 power play. Murray attempted a shot at Kinkaid but was unable to get the puck past him. With under a minute remaining in the period, Carabia was in front, but the tip from Murray missed the target. We returned to full strength but ended the frame 3-2.

Second Period:

We started the period a bit later than planned as the net by Kinkaid needed to be tended to. At the faceoff, the Drevitch brothers competed, and T. Drevitch went down briefly but quickly regained his footing. The Gladiators seized the puck, and just seconds later, T. Drevitch scored a goal for the Gladiators, putting Atlanta ahead by two goals. Michael Marchesan and Ryan Cranford were on the assists (0:21).

Later, one of the Ghost Pirates blew a tire, and Joey Cipollone quickly snagged the puck, but his shot was saved by Keith Kinkaid. A tripping penalty against Zach Yoder at 10:09 put the Gladiators on their second penalty kill. Savannah took a shot, but the Gladiators effectively cleared the puck. A shot from Dennis Cesana at the front was blocked by Atlanta, and they returned to full strength. Atlanta’s solid defense in front of Drew DeRidder thwarted Savannah’s attempts to gain leverage. 

Blake Murray’s shot missed, as did the rebound by Dylan Carabia. Brenden Datema got a chance but missed, and Jackson Pierson was unable to find the net. A shot from the Ghost Pirates struck the post and went out of play. Ryan Cranford moved toward the net and sent in a shot, blocked by Kinkaid, and attempted another shot, but Kinkaid made the save again. Derek Topatigh had a few chances as well, but Kinkaid made solid stops. The Gladiators were clearly on the hunt for the next goal, aiming to put the game away once and for all.

The Gladiators were clearly on the hunt for the next goal, aiming to put the game away once and for all. The Ghost Pirates were caught with too many men on the ice, giving the Gladiators a power play, which was served by Keltie Jeri-Leon. Immediately, the Gladiators made their move, and it became 5-2 after a shot by Patriks Marcinkevics made the net, marking his first as a Gladiator. Derek Topatigh and Joey Cipollone assisted.

Third Period:

The Gladiators sought to harness the puck’s momentum to remain in control, battling against the Ghost Pirates who kept them pinned in their zone early in the period. One Drevitch tackled the other close to the center of the ice, while Datema delivered a strong hit on L. Drevitch just moments later. The Gladiators slid the puck to the Ghost Pirates’ zone as Murray took a shot on Kinkaid. Several consecutive shots were taken by Atlanta on Kinkaid as Cipollone and Patriks Marcinkevics each got an opportunity to increase the score by another goal.

As we neared the midpoint of the period, the Gladiators refocused on their defensive tactics, successfully blocking shots directed at the net before they could reach DeRidder. Nevertheless, it was K. Jeri-Leon who found the net (unassisted), bringing the score to 5-3, still in favor of Atlanta (10:34).

Atlanta returned to their established style of play as they worked to keep the puck in Savannah’s end of the ice. The Ghost Pirates advanced into Atlanta’s territory, took a shot at the net, but DeRidder was there to make the save. DeRidder stopped another shot by deflecting it with his shoulder, then gloved down the rebound from Paliani. After the faceoff, Atlanta got the puck and took a shot on Kinkaid, but Neiley’s shot was denied. The Gladiators kept working the puck. Datema made a crucial save by blocking a shot from Dennis Cesana, preventing a potential scoring opportunity

DeRidder encountered another thrilling challenge when Vitelli took a shot, keeping fans captivated with under four minutes left in the game. Neiley almost scored but lost control of his stick during his shot attempt. Kinkaid was pulled with just over two minutes left on the clock. We had a penalty called on Atlanta, and Savannah elected to keep Kinkaid on the bench. Cesana took a shot on DeRidder not once but twice, but DeRidder killed both attempts. The Gladiators snapped the Ghost Pirates’ chances away with a shorthanded goal made by Neiley on the empty net of Savannah, assisted by Yoder (19:22).

Goals:

Penalties:

Atlanta: D. Topatigh (Tripping, 17:54)

Game Summary

Shots: Savannah: 30 Atlanta: 33

Goals: Savannah: L. Drevitch, J. Davies (Power Play), K. Jeri-Leon Atlanta: A. Jarvis, P. Fletcher, R. Hernández, T. Drevitch, P. Marcinkevics (Power Play), E. Neiley (Empty Net, Short-Handed)

Penalties: Savannah: L. Walsh (Cross-Checking), R. Hughes (Hooking), Bench minor served by K. Jeri-Leon (Too many men) Atlanta: D. Topatigh (Boarding, Tripping), Z. Yoder (Tripping)

Powerplay Results: Savannah: 1/3 (1 goal) Atlanta: 1/3 (1 goal)

Three Stars of the Game

1. T. Drevitch (Atlanta)
2. A. Jarvis (Atlanta)
3. D. DeRidder (Atlanta)

It was a thrilling game at Gas South Arena where Atlanta emerged victorious over Savannah with a final score of 6-3. The game featured a strong offensive performance from both teams, with Atlanta’s Tyler Drevitch, Andrew Jarvis, and Drew DeRidder earning the three stars of the game. Despite Savannah’s efforts, including a power play goal by J. Davies, Atlanta’s consistent scoring and solid defense secured their win in front of an enthusiastic crowd. It was a game worthy of the Avengers, with players on both sides showing their superhuman skills on the ice.