The Savannah Ghost Pirates fell 3-2 to the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday night at Enmarket Arena.Orlando struck first just 3:57 into the opening period when Reece Newkirk fired a shot from the right side that deflected into the net for a 1-0 lead.Savannah answered shortly after as Josh Lopina swatted a Riley Hughes pass out of midair to tie the game at 1-1. Bryce Brodzinski added the secondary assist.The Solar Bears regained the lead 31 seconds later on a goal from Peter Laviolette, who slipped a shot through from the left circle to make it 2-1 at the end of the first period.Orlando extended its advantage 5:20 into the second period on the power play. Newkirk set up Spencer Kersten, who wristed in a shot from the right side to push the lead to 3-1. The goal proved to be the only scoring in the middle frame.The Ghost Pirates cut the deficit to one just 49 seconds into the third period when Logan Drevitch scored on the power play from the left circle. Dennis Cesana and Reece Vitelli recorded assists on the play.Savannah was unable to find the equalizer down the stretch as Orlando held on for the win.Jon Gillies made 31 saves on 33 shots for the Solar Bears. Vinnie Purpura stopped 21 of 24 shots for the Ghost Pirates.Savannah returns to action Friday night when it hosts the Jacksonville Icemen at Enmarket Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

The Savannah Ghost Pirates fell 3-2 to the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday night at Enmarket Arena.

Orlando struck first just 3:57 into the opening period when Reece Newkirk fired a shot from the right side that deflected into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Savannah answered shortly after as Josh Lopina swatted a Riley Hughes pass out of midair to tie the game at 1-1. Bryce Brodzinski added the secondary assist.

The Solar Bears regained the lead 31 seconds later on a goal from Peter Laviolette, who slipped a shot through from the left circle to make it 2-1 at the end of the first period.

Orlando extended its advantage 5:20 into the second period on the power play. Newkirk set up Spencer Kersten, who wristed in a shot from the right side to push the lead to 3-1. The goal proved to be the only scoring in the middle frame.

The Ghost Pirates cut the deficit to one just 49 seconds into the third period when Logan Drevitch scored on the power play from the left circle. Dennis Cesana and Reece Vitelli recorded assists on the play.

Savannah was unable to find the equalizer down the stretch as Orlando held on for the win.

Jon Gillies made 31 saves on 33 shots for the Solar Bears. Vinnie Purpura stopped 21 of 24 shots for the Ghost Pirates.

Savannah returns to action Friday night when it hosts the Jacksonville Icemen at Enmarket Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.