ECHL Series Preview: Savannah Ghost Pirates at Atlanta Gladiators | 11/29-11/30/2024

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Current Standings:
Savannah Ghost Pirates (9-7-0) at Atlanta Gladiators (5-8-3-1)

Last Matchup

In their last matchup on November 2, 2024, Savannah defeated Atlanta 4-2 at Enmarket Arena. Savannah took an early lead with goals from Ross Armour and Devon Paliani in the first period. Will Riedell extended the lead with a power play goal in the second period. Atlanta attempted a comeback in the third period with goals from Matteo Marchesan and Jeremy Hanzel (Reassigned to Milwaukee Admirals on 11/13). However, it was Savannah that sealed the victory with an empty-net goal by Liam Walsh. Savannah’s Keith Kinkaid was stellar in net for the Ghost Pirates, making 29 saves on 31 shots.

Savannah Ghost Pirates News & Notes:

Savannah (SAV) is currently 14th in the league standings with a record of 9-7-0-0, accumulating 18 points and a 0.563 points percentage. They have scored 57 goals and allowed 51. The team has 225 penalty minutes, averaging 11.15 per game over 16 games, with 50 minor penalties, five major penalties, and two ten-minute misconducts.

On the Road: They have played seven away games this season, winning three and losing four. In their last game, they fell to the Orlando Solar Bears 5-2 despite outshooting them 43-27. Savannah took an early lead with a goal from Nathan Staios, but Orlando responded with four goals in the third period to secure the win.

In the Net: Their goaltending duo of Evan Cormier and Keith Kinkaid has been pivotal. Cormier, with a record of 5-3-0, boasts a GAA of 2.91 and a save percentage of 0.889, providing stability in the net. Kinkaid, with a 3-4-0 record, has a GAA of 3.18 and a save percentage of 0.881. Together, they form a strong tandem, crucial for the Ghost Pirates’ success.

When scoring first, the Savannah Ghost Pirates have played 16 games, scoring the first goal in nine of them. They have won seven of those games and lost two, accumulating 14 points with a scoring first percentage of 77.8%

Savannah has shown strong performance when leading after the first period, with a record of 6-1-0-0, and an even better record when leading after the second period at 7-0-0-0. However, they struggle when trailing, with a record of 1-4-0-0 after the first period and 0-5-0-0 after the second period. They have outshot their opponents in five games, winning all of them, but have been outshot in seven games, winning only two of those games. If Atlanta gets them on their heels, and early on, the Ghost Pirates’ chances of pulling out the win may just vanish into thin air.

Team Update: Traded defenseman CJ McGee to the Orlando Solar Bears in exchange for future considerations.

Players to Watch – Savannah Ghost Pirates:

• Riley Hughes: Hughes leads the team with 19 points (12g, 7a) in 15 games, boasting a +9 rating and 3 power play goals. On a 5-game point streak with five goals. His offensive talent makes him a key player for Savannah, consistently finding the back of the net and setting up teammates.
• Reece Vitelli: Vitelli has 18 points (4g, 14a) in 16 games, including one power play goal and a shorthanded goal. His playmaking abilities and versatility on special teams are crucial for the Ghost Pirates. Currently on a streak with 11 points, including a recent game-winning shorthanded goal.
• Ross Armour: Armour has 17 points (8g, 9) in 15 games, with five power play goals. Recently named the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week for November 18-24, Armour recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in two games last week, including a career-high four points in the win over Adirondack.
• Logan Drevitch: Drevitch has 11 points (2g, 9a) in 16 games, with a +1 rating. His consistent performance and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively add depth to the team.

Atlanta Gladiators News & Notes:

The Atlanta Gladiators are in 24th place in the league standings with a record of 5-8-3-1, accumulating 14 points and a 0.412 points percentage. They have scored 30 goals and allowed 48 goals against. The Gladiators have 161 penalty minutes, averaging 9.69 penalty minutes per game over 17 games. They have committed 65 minor penalties and five major penalties. Prior to Wednesday night they were among the lowest in the league but even with the PIM accrued from the game against Greenville, their record still places hem in the middle range compared to other teams in the ECHL.

Home Advantage: The Atlanta Gladiators have played seven home games this season, winning three, losing two, and losing two in overtime. They have accumulated eight points at home, scoring 16 goals and allowing 17 goals.In their recent games, Atlanta secured a 3-2 overtime win against Jacksonville on November 22, followed by a 4-3 overtime loss to Jacksonville on November 23, and a 3-2 shootout loss to Greenville on November 27.

In the Net: The Atlanta Gladiators, currently 24th in the league standings, rely heavily on their goaltenders Ethan Haider and Drew DeRidder. Haider, with a 4-4-0 record, has been impressive with a GAA of 2.21 and a save percentage of 0.920, showcasing his ability to make critical saves. DeRidder, despite a 1-4-3 record, has a solid GAA of 2.67 and a save percentage of 0.913, demonstrating his potential to turn games around. Their performances remain key to the Gladiators’ efforts to climb the standings.

Scoring First: When the Atlanta Gladiators score first, they see positive results. They have played 17 games and scored the first goal in eight of them. Out of those eight games, they have won five, lost two, and have one overtime loss, accumulating 11 points. This gives them a scoring-first percentage of 68.8%.

Team Update: Defenseman Chad Nychuk was recalled from loan by the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday, November 27th.

Players to Watch – Atlanta Gladiators:

• Cody Sylvester: Sylvester leads the team with 11 points (4g, 7a) in 17 games, including three power play goals. He is on a 10-game point streak making him a key offensive player for Atlanta.
• Eric Neiley: Neiley has eight points (4g, 4a) in 12 games, with two power play goals and a game-winner. His knack for scoring crucial goals and his experience add significant value to the Gladiators.
• Joey Cipollone: Cipollone has six goals and an assist in 15 games, including a shorthanded goal. His speed and versatility have made him a constant threat.
• Blake Murray: Murray has seven points (2g, 5 assists) in 11 games, with one power play goal. His playmaking skills and vision often drive the Gladiators’ offense, especially in clutch moments.

Key Strategies:

Savannah Ghost Pirates:

1. Capitalize on Power Plays: With players like Ross Armour excelling on the power play, Savannah should focus on drawing penalties and converting these opportunities. Ross Armour’s versatility and reliability have been crucial to the Ghost Pirates’ strategies. His ability to perform in various situations—whether it is on the power play, penalty kill, or during 5-on-5 play—makes him an invaluable asset. Armour’s knack for scoring and assisting not only boosts the team’s offensive capabilities but also inspires his teammates to elevate their game.
2. Strong Starts: Savannah has demonstrated significant strength when leading after the first period. Starting strong and maintaining early leads will be crucial for their success. This is also a vulnerable area for Atlanta, which Savannah can exploit. By keeping the Gladiators on the defensive, Savannah can gain a decisive edge. Leveraging Ross Armour’s offensive prowess and the team’s overall determination, the Ghost Pirates can set the tone early and control the game’s momentum.
3. Defensive Stability: Maintaining solid defensive play, especially in the third period, to avoid late-game collapses.

Atlanta Gladiators:

1. Improve Power Play Efficiency: Atlanta needs to capitalize more on power play opportunities, especially given their struggles on the road.
2. Resilience When Trailing: The team must continue to fight back when trailing, as their performance drops significantly in these situations. However, in Wednesday’s game, they played with a level of determination that clearly showed they knew how to ignite that spark when it mattered most. Their grit and resolve were on full display, proving they can rise to the occasion when the pressure is on. The scoreboard did not go their way, but if they continue to play with tht intensity it is sure to do so.
3. Leverage Key Players: Utilizing the offensive capabilities of players like Cody Sylvester and Eric Neiley to generate scoring chances and maintain pressure on Savannah’s defense.

Don’t miss this exciting matchup between the Savannah Ghost Pirates and the Atlanta Gladiators on Marvel Superhero Night featuring Wolverine! Watch out for Savannah’s standout players like Riley Hughes, who leads the team with 19 points, and Ross Armour, recently named the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week. On the Atlanta side, keep an eye on Cody Sylvester, currently on that 10-game point streak, and Eric Neiley, known for his crucial goals and leadership as team captain. Also, don’t miss Patriks Marcinkevics, who has been hot on the stick with five assists in six games and had some great chances in the game against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Wednesday night. He’s on the lookout for his first Gladiators goal, and Friday just could be the night!