Sports
Ghost Pirates Defenseman Reaches Milestone In Win Over Stingrays
It was a big night for the Savannah Ghost Pirates and defenseman Dennis Cesana on Saturday.
The Ghost Pirates went on the road and handed the South Carolina Stingrays a 5-1 defeat in front of 6,000-plus fans at North Charleston Coliseum.
Cesana also reached a milestone in the win, becoming the first defenseman in the ECHL to reach the 30-point mark this season.
Cesana picked up a goal eight seconds into a Ghost Pirates power-play opportunity 2:09 into the first period.
Cesana took a pass from Logan Drevitch and sent a shot from the right side past South Carolina netminder Seth Eisele under the cross bar to put the Ghost Pirates ahead 2-1.
It was the Stingrays who scored first, as Josh Wilkins knocked in a loose puck in front of the net for his eighth goal of the season.
The Ghost Pirates tied the score 1-1 later in the period on a redirection from Liam Arnsby, who tipped in a shot from Evan Nause.
After Cesana’s goal, Kyle Jeffers made it a 3-1 score on a breakaway goal just after he stepped out of the penalty box.
The lead stretched to 4-1 when Will Riedell fired a wrist shot past Eisele from the high slot.
The Ghost Pirates’ final tally came in the third period off the stick of Nick Granowicz, a shorthanded goal 12:08 into the final frame.
The 26-year-old Cesana currently has 11 goals and 19 assists for his 30 points with Savannah this season. The Florida Panthers signed him to a two-year AHL contract beginning in the 2022-23 season following four years of NCAA hockey at Michigan State.
In 2023-24, Cesana split time between the AHL and ECHL. In 21 games with the Charlotte Checkers, he recorded an assist in 21 games. He totaled a goal and six assists for seven points in 10 games with the Florida Everblades.
At MSU, the Providence, R.I. native served as a team captain his final season. He posted 74 points (20-54-74) in 135 career games.
The Ghost Pirates and Stingrays will meet again in North Charleston Sunday afternoon, with puck drop set for 3:05 Pm ET.
‘New Year’s Eve is always a let-down’: how January 1st became the number one date in the clubbing calendar
What happens during a transfer window? And are there any rules?
‘Saving the ocean is all I’ve ever wanted to do’
Cavaliers beat Lakers 122-110 for 8th straight win and spoil LeBron’s first game since turning 40
Dry January a ‘fashionable excuse for dangerous drinking in December’
Lakers coach JJ Redick says beating Cavaliers requires ‘close to perfect basketball’ after 122–110 loss
Nugent-Hopkins scores decisive goal, McDavid and Brown gets 2 assists each and Oilers top Utah 4-1
Austin Reaves and new-look Lakers are encouraged, but they can’t beat NBA-best Cavs
