Atlanta Gladiators Rally Past Savannah Ghost Pirates 7–4 as Alex Young Records First Career Hat Trick

The Atlanta Gladiators rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat the Savannah Ghost Pirates 7–4 on Tuesday night at Gas South Arena.

Forward Alex Young recorded the first hat trick of his professional career, finishing with three goals and one assist in a four-point performance that powered Atlanta’s comeback.

The victory came just two days after the Gladiators were shut out 3–0 by Savannah in their previous meeting.

Ghost Pirates Take Early Lead

Savannah opened the scoring early in the first period when Evan Nause capitalized on a rebound in front of the net following a save by Atlanta goaltender Ethan Haider.

The Ghost Pirates extended their lead late in the period with a shorthanded goal from Nicholas Zabaneh. Zabaneh intercepted the puck during a Gladiators power play, skated past multiple defenders and fired a shot into the top corner to make it 2–0 with less than a minute remaining in the opening frame.

Savannah carried that lead into the first intermission.

Gladiators Respond in Second Period

Atlanta found momentum early in the second period during four-on-four play. Captain Cody Sylvester scored on a play assisted by Nolan Orzeck to cut the deficit to 2–1.

Savannah responded late in the period when Phip Waugh scored off a pass from Reece Vitelli to restore a two-goal advantage at 3–1.

The Gladiators answered again shortly afterward. Carson Denomie scored his seventh goal of the season on a quick counterattack with assists from Ryan Francis and Chad Nychuk, bringing Atlanta within one.

Young then tied the game at 3–3 with 2:26 remaining in the second period, finishing a two-on-one rush with Sylvester.

Atlanta Completes Comeback

Savannah briefly regained the lead early in the third period when Liam Walsh scored 2:24 into the frame to make it 4–3.

Atlanta responded with a power-play goal from Isak Walther to tie the game once again. The Gladiators took advantage of the extra skater by applying sustained pressure around the net.

The goal sparked a decisive late-game rally.

Young scored again on a deflection off a shot from Nychuk to give Atlanta its first lead of the night. He later added an empty-net goal to complete his hat trick.

Ryan Conroy added another empty-net goal in the final minutes to seal the victory and bring the final score to 7–4.

Key Performances

Young finished with three goals and one assist for his second career four-point game. Sylvester added a goal and an assist, while Nychuk contributed two assists in the win.

Haider earned the victory in net for Atlanta, making his fourth consecutive start.

The comeback victory marked one of Atlanta’s highest-scoring performances of the season as the Gladiators reversed an early deficit to secure the win at home.