ECHL Game Recap: Savannah Ghost Pirates vs Atlanta Gladiators | 11/30/2024

Last Matchup:

In an intense matchup on November 29, 2024, the Savannah Ghost Pirates faced off against the Atlanta Gladiators at Gas South Arena. The game, themed Marvel Night, saw the Gladiators channeling Wolverine and the Ghost Pirates embracing Deadpool. Savannah started that night strong with early goals from Logan Drevitch and Josh Davies, both assisted by Devon Paliani. Atlanta responded with goals from Andrew Jarvis, PJ Fletcher, and Randy Hernández, taking a 3-2 lead by the end of the first period. Tyler Drevitch and Patriks Marcinkevics extended Atlanta’s lead in the second period. Despite a late goal from Keltie Jeri-Leon, Atlanta secured a 5-3 victory.

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

Savannah’s Scratches: Ross Armour, Keaton Pehrson

Savannah’s Riley Hughes was also recalled by the Charlotte Checkers.

First Period:

Just like last night the Ghost Pirates came out fast and took a shot at the goal, but Ethan Haider made a remarkable glove save on the shot by Pito Walton. Another attempt from the Ghost Pirates was also thwarted by Haider. Brenden Datema received a game penalty, placing the Glads on the penalty kill. Keltie Jeri-Leon scored by shooting over Haider’s right shoulder, giving the Swamp Rabbits a one-goal advantage, with assists from Dennis Cesana and Nicholas Zabaneh at 3:01. Although Michael Marchesan appeared to be tripped, no penalty was called. However, Tyler Drevitch received a penalty shortly after for slashing at 3:56. Atlanta found themselves on the penalty kill for the second time. Despite being deep in their own zone, and on the powerplay, they continued to work the puck. Eventually, they returned to full strength and finally shifted to an offensive stance as Jackson Pierson applied pressure, but unfortunately his shot was blocked.

Later, Savannah regained control of the puck as Liam Arnsby fed it to Devon Paliani, leading to another goal for the Swamp Rabbits. The Gladiators fought hard to re-enter the game as Joey Cipollone delivered the puck to PJ Fletcher, who came close to capitalizing on the rebound. Savannah’s Evan Cormier showcased his skills with an impressive save on that attempt. Meanwhile, Pierson’s pass to Andrew Jarvis went astray, enabling Cormier to make an easy save. The Gladiators effectively maneuvered the puck back into Savannah’s zone, where Datema took a shot. On the rebound, Captain Eric Neiley took advantage of the moment and scored, putting Savannah ahead with a score of 2-1.

Just moments later, Derek Topatigh attempted a sweeping wraparound shot, but Cormier expertly caught the puck.

Currently in the penalty box is Nathan Staios, penalized for high sticking at 10:11. Cody Sylvester passed to Randy Hernández, but Savannah made a crucial save. Ryan Cranford showcased some impressive puck skills for the Gladiators, attempting a shot that was thwarted by Cormier. Cipollone maintained possession as Hernández just missed the target, while the Gladiators seemed to be gaining their rhythm. Zach Yoder delivered a solid check on a Swamp Rabbit, energizing the crowd. Yet again, Jarvis and Sylvester displayed impressive puck handling, but Cormier managed to catch the puck with his glove.

Savannah pinned the Gladiators in their defensive zone, but Atlanta successfully transitioned the puck to center ice. After seizing a turnover, Savannah nearly made a shot on goal, but the net dislodged just as Logan Drevitch attempted the Michigan move. With one minute left, Savannah fired several shots on net following a near breakaway, which Jarvis managed to thwart just in time. Datema’s shot from the point missed wide, and we end the period with the Ghost Pirates ahead, 2-1.

Goals:

Savannah scored twice:

At 3:01, K. Jeri-Leon scored with assists from D. Cesana and N. Zabaneh (Power Play).

At 6:26, D. Paliani scored with assists from L. Arnsby and J. Davies (Power Play).

Atlanta scored once:

At 9:51, E. Neiley scored with assists from B. Datema and J. Pierson.

Penalties:

Atlanta:

B. Datema received a 2-minute minor penalty for Delay of Game at 1:22.

T. Drevitch received a 2-minute minor penalty for Slashing at 3:56.

Savannah:

N. Staios received a 2-minute minor penalty for High-Sticking at 10:11.

Powerplay Results:

Savannah: 2/2 Atlanta: 0/1

Second Period:

Dylan Carabia turned and attempted a backhand shot, directing the puck toward Evan Cormier, but he missed the target. The Swamp Rabbits continued to fight for position in front of Ethan Haider, yet the Gladiators and Haider effectively countered their efforts, maintaining pressure on the Swamp Rabbits. Brenden Datema pushed the puck to the center. Following a line change, the Swamp Rabbits sent it back to Atlanta’s zone, but Atlanta skillfully maneuvered it back out.

Haider fully dedicated himself to stopping the shot from Devon Paliani and successfully made the save. Later, he did it once again as Paliani attempted another shot. Liam Walsh passed to Josh Davies, but the play was unsuccessful. Carabia sent the puck to a teammate through center ice, but nothing came of it. Cormier halted the shot from Ryan Cranford taken from the center. Andrew Jarvis absorbed a hit, found Cranford, and the Gladiators nearly scored with that attempt. At the other end, Nicholas Zabaneh came close to scoring, but Haider was there for the save. Cranford’s attempt from the right blueline failed to find the net; however, a subsequent shot from Jackson Pierson to Carson Denomie, who fired from the left circle, found its way there, bringing the score to a tie at 2-2. Eric Neiley was also credited with an assist on the scoring play at 10:42.

The refs worked to fix a divot on the ice just in front of the Ghost Pirates’ bench. After that, play resumed. It was a maneuver by Carson Denomie to the right of Evan Cormier that led to Jackson Pierson, who jumped on the rebound chance by Eric Neiley, to get the puck in the back of the net. Atlanta took the lead 3-2 at 14:19 in the second period. Denomie was also credited with an assist.

The Ghost Pirates sent the Gladiators back to the power play as Josh Davies was called for hooking at 14:33. The Gladiators, now gaining some momentum, maintained possession of the puck in front of Evan Cormier. Carson Denomie attempted to deliver a pass but was thwarted. As Davies returned to the ice, Nathan Staios took a shot from the line, but Ethan Haider made the save. Then, Haider was beaten by Devon Paliani, assisted by Logan Drevitch, at 17:07, and the game was once again tied at three goals apiece.

Later on, Haider lost his position after a turnover, and Savannah took advantage, going back ahead 4-3 at 18:43 with a goal by Riley Bezeau, assisted by Reece Vitelli and Nicholas Zabaneh. We finished out the period with the Savannah Ghost Pirates shifting the momentum their way as the clock wound down.

Goals:

Savannah scored twice:

At 17:07, Devon Paliani scored with an assist from Logan Drevitch.

At 18:43, R. Bezeau scored with assists from Reece Vitelli and Nicholas Zabaneh.

Atlanta scored twice:

At 10:42, Carson Denomie scored with assists from Jackson Pierson and Eric Neiley.

At 14:19, Jackson Pierson scored with assists from Eric Neiley and Carson Denomie.

Penalties:

Savannah:

Josh Davies received a 2-minute minor penalty for hooking at 14:33.

Powerplay Results:

Savannah: 0/1 Atlanta: 0/1

Third Period:

The Ghost Pirates initiated an early attack, but Ethan Haider expertly denied Nicholas Zabaneh’s shot on goal. Shortly after, the Gladiators entered the offensive zone, yet the Ghost Pirates managed to clear the puck successfully. Atlanta maintained their offensive pressure while Savannah found themselves stuck in their own zone. Reece Vitelli missed a one-timer, causing the puck to go out of play. One of the Ghost Pirates lost his helmet and exited the ice. A delayed penalty was called against the Gladiators after Haider made a save on the subsequent shot. Eric Neiley headed to the penalty box for high-sticking at 3:43. The Gladiators seized a breakaway as Blake Murray and Cody Sylvester maneuvered near the net, only for Evan Cormier to thwart their attempt. Joey Cipollone fell, leading to Reece Vitelli receiving a penalty for tripping at 4:20. This led to a 4-on-4 situation.

Two attempts by Atlanta on Cormier came close, but he successfully blocked both shots. The Ghost Pirates advanced the play toward Atlanta’s zone as they returned to full strength. A shot from Zabaneh was saved by Haider, while some Ghost Pirates engaged in conversation with a few Gladiators by the net.

After play resumed, a Gladiator was tied up, yet the Ghost Pirate responsible faced no consequences. Zabaneh’s shot was saved by Haider as the Ghost Pirate went down while making the shot. Jarvis took a hit and went down, followed by T. Drevitch. The Gladiators found Cesana, who made his way into their zone and took a shot on net. The Gladiators tried to fight the puck out of their zone. They got a chance but blew a tire up along the board. The puck was sent in hot from Sylvester to Pierson, and his helmet came off, ending the play as Denomie slammed into him. The Ghost Pirates intercepted a pass and made their way into Atlanta’s zone.

The battle continued as Atlanta attempted to send a puck past Cormier, but they lost sight of it, allowing Savannah to quickly push it away. Atlanta regained control and slid it back to Savannah’s end, but no action towards the net occurred just yet. The tension on the ice was palpable as both teams fought fiercely for control, each pass and shot adding to the intensity of the game as Atlanta sought the equalizer. Off the left circle of Savannah, we faced off and Savannah won it, but Atlanta got it back. A fired shot later by Walton was saved by Haider’s glove. We had less than four minutes remaining.

Off the left circle for Atlanta, Savannah had their chance, and moments later the Ghost Pirates got the potential insurance goal as Jarvis took a hit and Schwindt put it home out of the air. The Gladiators, from the center of the net, along with Hernández to Cipollone as the attacker, failed to score from the shot made by Topatigh, as it did not cross the goal line. Haider was pulled just prior and after that play and after play resumed the Ghost Pirates get the empty netter as Sylvester was pressure by Paliani who made the goal.

Goals:

Savannah scored twice:

At 17:07, Devon Paliani scored with an assist from Logan Drevitch.

At 18:43, R. Bezeau scored with assists from Reece Vitelli and Nicholas Zabaneh.

Atlanta scored twice:

At 10:42, Carson Denomie scored with assists from Jackson Pierson and Eric Neiley.

At 14:19, Jackson Pierson scored with assists from Eric Neiley and Carson Denomie.

Penalties:

Savannah:

Josh Davies received a 2-minute minor penalty for hooking at 14:33.

Powerplay Results:

Savannah: 0/1 Atlanta: 0/1

Game Summary

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Savannah – Dominick Paliani
2. Savannah – Riley Bezeau
3. Atlanta – Eric Neiley

In a thrilling match, Savannah emerged victorious with a final score of 6-3 against Atlanta. Key players for Savannah included Devon Paliani, who scored a hat trick, and Kyle Schwindt, who added a crucial goal in the third period. For Atlanta, Jackson Pierson stood out with a goal and two assists, while Eric Neiley contributed a goal and two assists as well.

It was an intense game with both teams showing great effort and skill on the ice. However, it was Savannah that ultimately brought the fire, especially midway through the game. The crowd at Gas South Arena witnessed two exciting battles, with Atlanta and Savannah ultimately splitting the weekend series.