CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Savannah Ghost Pirates, proud ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, fell to the South Carolina Stingrays 7-3 on Friday night at North Charleston Coliseum.
FIRST PERIOD
The Stingrays (5-0-0) and Ghost Pirates (2-3-0) opened the contest with an entertaining, offense-heavy first period. South Carolina struck first when forward Josh Wilkins scored his second goal of the season to give the Stingrays a 1-0 lead.
Savannah responded to tie the game at 1-1 when Kasper Lundell (1) scored his first goal of the young season and first professional goal in North America. Eddie Matsushima and Will Zmolek assisted on the goal.
South Carolina regained the lead when Alex Gaffney beat Ghost Pirates goaltender Vinnie Purpura to make it 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
SECOND PERIOD
Savannah quickly evened the score in the second period when Philip Tresca (2) scored on the power play to make it 2-2. Colton Huard and Emil Pieniniemi assisted on the goal.
However, South Carolina regained the lead 3-2 on a power-play goal by Ryan Sandelin before Kyle Jackson extended the Stingrays' advantage to 4-2.
The Ghost Pirates responded when Max Dorrington (1) scored his first goal of the season, with Tresca and Anthony Callin picking up the assists to cut the deficit to one, 4-3.
South Carolina answered with a breakaway goal by Tyler Weiss, giving the Stingrays a 5-3 lead heading into the third period.
THIRD PERIOD
South Carolina extended its lead early in the third period when Josh Prokop scored to make it 6-3.
Prokop added his second goal of the night with 2:55 remaining in regulation, sealing a 7-3 victory for the Stingrays.
Ben Kraws earned the win for South Carolina, stopping 25 of 28 shots. Purpura took the loss for Savannah, making 33 saves on 40 shots.
The Ghost Pirates return home to Enmarket Arena on Sunday, Nov. 1, as they celebrate Day of the Dead against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. For tickets and additional information, visit ghostpirateshockey.com.
– GHOST PIRATES –
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