JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Savannah Ghost Pirates, proud ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, scored seven goals to defeat the Jacksonville Icemen 7-4 in their lone preseason game Friday night at Community First Igloo.
The game opened with a fight just 2:41 into the first period, as Savannah's Skate Skalde dropped the gloves with Jacksonville's Jaden Condotta.
The Ghost Pirates struck first at 7:33 of the opening period when Anthony Callin (1) fired a shot from the right circle to give Savannah a 1-0 lead. Reid Pabich and Tristan Amonte recorded the assists on the only goal of the period.
Jacksonville tied the game 3:03 into the second period when Colby Ambrosio intercepted a Savannah pass and fired a shot off the left post and into the net to make it 1-1.
Savannah quickly regained the lead when Liam McLinskey (1) scored a power-play goal just 1:50 later. Eddie Matsushima and Callin picked up the assists.
The Ghost Pirates extended their lead just 48 seconds later after another Jacksonville turnover. Max Dorrington (1) capitalized to put Savannah ahead 3-1.
The Icemen responded with a power-play goal of their own when Jacques Bouquot tipped in a Trevor Griebel shot to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Savannah answered with another power-play goal as Amonte found McLinskey (2) in front of the net. McLinskey buried his second goal of the night to make it 4-2.
Jacksonville pulled within one when Bennett MacArthur tipped in a shot from Jaden Condotta, cutting Savannah's lead to 4-3.
The Ghost Pirates responded again after forcing another turnover. Nick DeGrazia found Liam Gorman (1) in front of the net, and Gorman finished the play to extend the lead to 5-3.
Callin (2) scored his second goal of the night to close out the second-period scoring, with Pabich recording the lone assist to give Savannah a 6-3 advantage.
Jacksonville opened the third-period scoring when Brandon Yeamans finished a 2-on-1 rush at 6:12, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
McLinskey (3) completed his hat trick at 15:37 of the third period to cap the scoring and secure Savannah's 7-4 victory. Matsushima and Amonte recorded the assists.
Vinnie Purpura started in goal for Savannah, stopping 10 of 12 shots. Tyler Muszelik also made 10 saves on 12 shots and earned the win. For Jacksonville, Chase Wutzke stopped 22 of 25 shots, while Michael Bullion made 17 saves on 21 shots.
The Ghost Pirates open their fifth season next Friday, October 16, when they host the Norfolk Admirals at Enmarket Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. For tickets and more information, visit ghostpirateshockey.com.
— GHOST PIRATES —
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