Ghost busted: the Ghost Pirates' 3-goal first period keeps the Glads in check as they come away with a 5-2 win the first game of their home and home series

Preview: Savannah Ghost Pirates (13-13-2-1/29 points/5th place in the ECHL South) vs Atlanta Gladiators (21-6-0-0/42 points/2nd place in the ECHL South)

The Atlanta Gladiators' weekend includes 2 games against a division rival as they embark on a home and home series against the Savannah Ghost Pirates (click HERE for our lead-in article). With both teams riding winning streaks (Atlanta has won 5 in a row and Savannah has won 3 in a row), both look to get the series off to a good start.

Tonight's Military Night matchup at the Gas South District (January 9, 2026 at 7pm EST) sees the Glads hosting their in-state rivals. The Ghost Pirates' offense comes in scoring 3 goals per game (3.03 goals per game) and is led by Bryce Brodzinski (6 goals/16 assists/22 points/minus 3 rating) and Nicholas Zabaneh (9 goals/11 assists/20 points/minus 1 rating). They'll face a tough task as under the leadership of head coach Matt Ginn (who is named as one of the coaches for the ECHL All-Star Game), the Gladiators' defense is the league's best as they allow under 2 goals per game (1.96 goals allowed per game) as their team defense is playing at a high level and combined with the goaltending efforts of recently named ECHL All-Star T.J. Semptimphelter (11-3-0-0/1.44 goals allowed average/.947 save percentage) and Ethan Haider (10-3-0-0/2.48 goals allowed average/.922 save percentage).

The Gladiators counter with Alex Young (9 goals/16 assists/25 points/plus 15 rating), recently acquired Jack O'Brien (13 goals/11 assists/24 points/minus 1 rating) who is also named as an ECHL All-Star (overall team leading scorer Louis Boudon is now with the French Olympic Ice Hockey team), and Chad Nychuk (3 goals/21 assists/24 points/plus 20 rating). Their recent surge has them scoring more than 3 goals per game (3.26 goals per game) and looks to apply pressure against the Ghost Pirates defense which is allowing a solid 2.79 goals per game as goaltenders Evan Cormier (4-5-1-0/3.42 goals allowed average/.869 save percentage), Michael Simpson (3-5-0-0 with 1 shootout loss/2.63 goals allowed average/.909 save percentage), and Vinnie Purpura (7-2-0-0/1.60 goals allowed average/.948 save percentage) look to have a hot hand in cooling off the Glads' offensive attack.

Game recap: The Ghost Pirates' 3 goals in the 1st period have the Glads playing catchup throughout the game.

The Ghost Pirates waste little time in getting their offense in gear.

25 seconds into the 1st period, Will Riedell's shot hits pay-dirt to give Savannah a 1-0 lead on his 3rd goal of the season as it finds its way past goaltender Ethan Haider (assisted by Cristophe Teller and Riley Hughes). They'd add to their lead nearly 3 minutes later in the period (3:25 in the 1st period) on Nicholas Zabaneh's 10th goal of the season (assisted by Cristophe Teller and Riley Hughes). Savannah would extend their lead to 3-0 as Colton Huard scores his 1st goal of the season (6:55 in the 1st period assisted by Nick Granowicz and Matt Koopman).

At the 12:15 mark of the 2nd period, the Atlanta Gladiators get in the scoring column. Cody Sylvester scores on the team's power play opportunity (his 7th goal of the year assisted by Ryan Nolan and Chad Nychuk) to make it a 3-1 game. Just before the conclusion of the 2nd period, the Glads inch closer to tying the game. Cody Sylvester scores his 2nd goal of the game and his 8th of the season (19:55 in the 2nd period assisted by Andrew Jarvis and Ryan Nolan). In officially closing out the period, Jarvis wins the on-ice fracas against one of the Savannah players to bring an edginess to the team and game in making it a 3-2 lead for Savannah.

Josh Davies would provide a 3rd period breakthrough for the Ghost Pirates at the 13:54 mark of the 3rd period. His 8th goal of the season (assisted by Josh Lopina) gives them a 2-goal lead at a key juncture of the period (4-2). They would reignite their offensive push thanks to a goal by Ryan Sullivan less than two minutes later in the period (15:32 in the 3rd period) as his 6th goal of the season (assisted by Keaton Pehrson and Matt Koopman) gives the Ghost Pirates a 5-2 lead and come away with a win, extending their win streak to 4 games and snapping the Gladiators' win streak at 5 games.

Post-game: The Glads compete, but are unable to overcome Savannah's fast start.

After the first 7 minutes of the game, it's an uphill battle for the Gladiators.

While they compete and get within 1 goal during the 2nd period, the fast start for the Ghost Pirates keeps them at bay and snaps their 5 game winning streak. Savannah outshoots Atlanta by a 30-24 margin although the Gladiators have the advantage on the power play as they go 1 for 2 (compared to the Ghost Pirates going 0 for 1). Likewise, goaltender Evan Cormier (22 saves on 24 shots) has the better performance in this game, as Ethan Haider turns away 25 of 30 shots.

Head Coach Matt Ginn speaks with the media post-game. He notes the slow start creating challenges for the team, but commends them for continuing to battle and getting back in the game before Savannah's 2 goals in the 3rd period. He speaks to adjustments the team can make as it's a short turnaround with both teams meeting again on January 10th (7pm EST) at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA (you may watch his response to our questions below):

For their next game, Atlanta clearly looks to bounce back, earn a split, and improve to a possible 6 wins in their last 7 games. Savannah looks to win their 5th in a row and get more separation from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits as they have a 1 point lead for 4th place in the division (and the final playoff spot).

Notes: All photos and video are recorded by asnortonccs (click HERE for our 2025-26 season playlist). You may read our coverage of the team by visiting our site (click HERE).