Savannah, GA – The Savannah Ghost Pirates defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 3-2 on Saturday night at Enmarket Arena. Despite a comeback push, the Gladiators were not able to overcome an early 2-0 deficit.
The Ghost Pirates hosted the Gladiators for the second game of a home & home as the scene shifted to Savannah after the Ghost Pirates won 5-2 in Duluth on Friday. Both teams started different netminders, as Vinnie Purpura got the nod for the Ghost Pirates, while the Gladiators turned to T.J Semptimphelter.
Savannah got off to a hot start, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes of the game. First it was Noah Carroll scoring from a shot from the left point through a screen 2:44 into the first to make it 1-0, followed by a tip in goal from Liam Walsh to make it 2-0 just 6:59 into the game. Savannah continued to generate chances as the period went on, but the Gladiators found a way to keep the puck out the rest period and score a goal of their own late in the period to make it a one goal game at the intermission. Jack O’Brien scored on a chance in tight from Carson Denomie with 1:29 left in the opening period to make it 2-1 at the first intermission.
The Ghost Pirates extended their lead back to two with a power play goal from Nicholas Zabaneh 3:38 into the second period to make it 3-2. Play got physical as Carson Denomie fought Logan Drevitch, and the Gladiators slowly found their groove.
They began to hit their stride in the third period, generating chances and limiting the Ghost Pirates. Peter Morgan scored his second of the year from Ryan Nolan and Ethan Scardina 8:10 into the period to make it 3-2. Atlanta continued to press in an attempt to tie, but Vinnie Purpura stole the show, making some highlight reel saves to seal the deal at 3-2.
Semptimphelter stopped 26/29 in the loss, while Purpura stopped 25/27 in the win for the Ghost Pirates. The Gladiators went 0/2 on the power play and 1/2 on the penalty kill and were outshot 29-27.
The Gladiators return to action on Saturday night in Greenville for the beginning of a 3 in 3, with home games on January 18th and 19th. Get your tickets HERE!
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