By Shelby Rabideaux

Duluth, GA - The Gladiators continue the 2025-26 season undefeated after hosting the Savannah Ghost Pirates Saturday evening, beating them 4-2. The crowd was hyped up after not one, but TWO short handed goals in the first period! Here is the play by play on how the Gladiators extended their winning streak. 

The Gladiators returned home for a three-game homestand this week, the first game held against the Savannah Ghost Pirates. This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Ethan Haider got the start for the Atlanta Gladiators with Evan Cormier in goal for the Savannah Ghost Pirates. 

The Gladiators opened up the evening with a tribute to former player, captain, and ECHL Hall of Famer Cam Brown. Moving forward, the Gladiators will wear stickers on their helmets for the remainder of the 2025-26 season in remembrance of Cam Brown. To watch the tribute you can follow this link to our YouTube. 

The first period started with the Atlanta Gladiators playing in the defensive zone as the Savannah Pirates gained more shots on goal early on. However, the Gladiators were the first to put a point on the board, forward Joey Cipollone scoring at 6:15 into the first period, assisted by Cody Sylvester and Mike McNamee. Shortly after Evan Cormier denied the Gladiators attempt at a 2-0 lead on a penalty shot by Isak Walther resulting from a hooking call on Evan Nause. Rounding the period out the Gladiators killed off a tripping penalty scoring not one, but TWO shorthanded goals! The first goal came from Chad Nychuk, assisted by Louis Boudon at 13:53 into the period, followed by a back-to-back shorthanded goal completed, unassisted by Ryan Nolan. The first period concluded with the Gladiators on a penalty kill. 

Coming off an exciting first period, the Gladiators start the second period with a penalty kill, effectively keeping the Ghost Pirates off the scoreboard. Atlanta had a couple chances to extend their lead with opportunities on the Power Play, but Cormier and the Pirates held strong. The Ghost Pirates finally struck, getting their first goal of the game at 14:25 into the second period from Phip Waugh, assisted by Josh Davies and Hunter Johannes. The period couldn’t end without some excitement for Gladiators fans, a big hit from Chad Nychuck resulted in a bit of a scuffle with 4.6 seconds left on the clock. This resulted in two penalties to the Savannah Pirates for roughing, and one to the Gladiators. The Gladiators headed to the third period on the man advantage. 

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are successful in the penalty kill against the Gladiators and capitalize on that momentum. Savannah got a rush quickly in the third period putting them a point behind the Gladiators, Josh Davies scoring the goal unassisted. Atlanta was quick to answer back with a goal from Mickey Burns assisted by Ryan Nolan and Alex Young, extending Atlanta to a two goal lead. Some roughing in the middle of the period led to a double minor penalty and a four minute penalty kill, which the Gladiators and Haider fought off. The Gladiators remain undefeated this season with a 4-2 win over Savannah, with Haider stopping 32/34 of the shots on goal that came his way, and the effective penalty kill from the team resulting in two shorthanded goals. 

From the incredible performance of the Gladiators penalty kill going 5/5, to Haider's performance in net, the Gladiators are 5-0 and remain the only unbeaten team in the ECHL. The Gladiators will look to continue their winning streak on Sunday against the South Carolina Stingrays at 3:10PM. The Gladiators and Ghost Pirates will meet again in Savannah on November 8th.