Evelyn Jerden for Inside The Rink

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Wednesday night, the Savannah Ghost Pirates hosted the Orlando Solar Bears in a crucial South Division showdown with playoff positioning on the line. Orlando would take a 3-2 victory.

Orlando wasted no time getting on the board. Just 3:57 into the opening period, Reece Newkirk sent a shot toward the net that deflected off traffic and found its way in, giving the Solar Bears an early 1–0 lead. Savannah responded quickly. Josh Lopina showcased impressive hand-eye coordination, batting a pass out of midair and into the net to even the score at one. Later in the first, Orlando regained the momentum when Peter Laviolette slipped a shot through to restore the visitors’ advantage heading into the intermission.

The second period featured a bit of chaos as both teams were assessed bench minors for too many men on the ice one right after another. Orlando made Savannah pay on the ensuing power-play opportunity, as Spencer Kersten buried his chance to extend the lead to 3–1. Even though the Solar Bears held the edge on the scoreboard, Savannah controlled much of the play in the middle frame, outshooting Orlando 14–7 and generating sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The Ghost Pirates simply couldn’t break through.

The urgency ramped up in the third. After Orlando was called for cross-checking, Savannah went to work on the power play. Team captain Logan Drevitch delivered, cutting the deficit to 3–2 and bringing life back into the building. Savannah pressed hard in the final minutes, pushing for the equalizer and throwing quality chances on net. But Orlando goaltender Jon Gillies stood tall when his team needed him most, stopping 31 of 33 shots to secure the victory. The win tightens the South Division race even further. With the result, Orlando moves to within three points of Savannah for the fourth and final playoff spot, setting up what promises to be a heated stretch run in February.

Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Evelyn Jerden for highlights from the game.

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