SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah Ghost Pirates, proud ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 5-2 on Thursday morning at Enmarket Arena.
FIRST PERIOD
The Ghost Pirates (3-4-1-0) started strong against the Atlanta Gladiators (2-6-1-0) and were rewarded late in the period with a pair of goals from Philip Tresca.
Tresca (3) opened the scoring when he collected a bouncing puck and beat goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter to give Savannah a 1-0 lead. Kasper Lundell extended his point streak to five games with an assist, while Will Riedell also collected an assist.
Just over a minute later, Tresca (4) scored again, this time beating Semptimphelter on the power play to make it 2-0. Colton Huard extended his point streak to four games with an assist, while Emil Pieniniemi collected the secondary assist to extend his point streak to five games.
SECOND PERIOD
The Atlanta Gladiators cut the deficit to one in the second period when Mike McNamee scored to make it 2-1.
THIRD PERIOD
The Ghost Pirates extended their lead in the third period when Max Dorrington (2) scored on the power play to make it 3-1. Eddie Matsushima and Liam McLinskey recorded the assists.
Tristan Amonte (2) continued the offensive surge, scoring Savannah's first shorthanded goal of the season to extend the lead to 4-1. Liam Walsh recorded the loan assist.
The Gladiators cut the deficit to two when Hiroki Gojsic scored on the power play, beating goaltender Vinnie Purpura glove side to make it 4-2.
The Ghost Pirates added one more goal when Nick DeGrazia (1) scored his first career professional goal to secure a 5-2 victory for Savannah. Max Dorrington recorded the assist.
Purpura earned his first win of the season, stopping 23 of 25 shots. Semptimphelter took the loss, allowing five goals on 41 shots.
The Ghost Pirates continue their fifth season Friday, Nov. 6, when the Greenville Swamp Rabbits visit Enmarket Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. For tickets and more information, visit ghostpirateshockey.com.
– GHOST PIRATES –
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