Evelyn Jerden for Inside The Rink
SAVANNAH, Ga. – On Saturday, the Savannah Ghost Pirates hosted the Orlando Solar Bears for Country Night, complete with cowboy hats, boots, and a toe-tapping atmosphere inside Enmarket Arena. The crowd brought the country spirit, and the players brought the intensity.
Orlando struck first in the opening period when Reece Newkirk buried a rebound off a rush from Tyler Bird, giving the Solar Bears an early lead.
Savannah answered in the second period when Ryan Sullivan snapped home his first goal of the season from the high slot, giving the Ghost Pirates a spark that matched the energy of the crowd.
In the third, Savannah pulled within one. On a shorthanded chance, Nicholas Zabaneh set up Cole Krygier for a left-side strike, making it 3–2 and bringing fans to their feet like it was a honky-tonk showdown.
Despite a late surge and several strong looks at the net, the Ghost Pirates couldn’t rope in the tying goal. Savannah showed plenty of grit fighting back after falling behind, piecing together a strong two-period push, killing off key penalties, and even netting a shorthanded tally. But Orlando’s goaltending and defense held firm in the final minutes to secure the 3-2 win.
Even though the comeback fell short, Savannah put on a battle worthy of Country Night full of heart, hustle, and a little Saturday-night swagger heading into their next game.
Check out this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Evelyn Jerden for highlights from the game.
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