Ghost Pirates fall 5–2 to Solar Bears in third straight loss

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The Savannah Ghost Pirates dropped their third straight game Friday night, falling 5-2 to the Orlando Solar Bears at Enmarket Arena. Orlando opened the scoring in the first period and extended their lead with two quick goals. The Solar Bears capped their first-period surge with a power-play goal to take a 4-0 lead into the intermission. Savannah got on the board in the second period, but a Ghost Pirates power-play goal was overturned in the third. Savannah eventually made it a two-goal game, but an empty-net goal sealed the win for Orlando.

Why it matters

The Ghost Pirates have now lost three games in a row, raising concerns about their recent performance and ability to bounce back. The team's struggles come as they face a scheduling change due to winter weather, adding an additional challenge as they try to turn things around.

The details

Orlando opened the scoring at the 9:21 mark of the first period when Jack Adams found Anthony Bardaro on the right side for the game's first goal. The Solar Bears then extended the lead with two goals in a 56-second span, with Aaron Luchuk finishing from the doorstep off a pass from Reece Newkirk, and Cole Kodsi working his way to the front of the net and slipping a backhand past the goaltender. Orlando capped its first-period surge with a power-play goal from Jared Lukosevicius. Savannah got on the board in the second period when Liam Walsh redirected a Dennis Cesana shot, but a Ghost Pirates power-play goal was overturned in the third. Savannah eventually made it a two-goal game when Ryan McAllister centered the puck to Nicholas Zabaneh, who lifted a shot under the crossbar. Lukosevicius sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the closing minutes.

• The game was played on Friday, January 30, 2026.
• The first period saw four goals scored, with Orlando taking a 4-0 lead into the intermission.
• Savannah scored a goal in the second period to make it 4-1.
• Savannah scored again in the third period to make it 4-2, but an empty-net goal sealed the win for Orlando.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Ghost Pirates continue Youth Sports Weekend against the Solar Bears on Saturday afternoon at Enmarket Arena. Puck drop has been moved up to 1 p.m. ET due to winter weather in the forecast.