The Savannah Ghost Pirates defeated the Jacksonville Icemen 7–4 on October 9 at Community First Igloo in Jacksonville, Florida. Liam McLinskey scored a hat trick, and Anthony Callin added two goals. The exhibition was Savannah’s only preseason game before the start of its 2026–27 ECHL schedule.
Callin opened the scoring in the first period before Savannah produced five second-period goals. McLinskey scored twice on the power play during that middle period. Max Dorrington and Liam Gorman also scored as the Ghost Pirates built a 6–3 lead through 40 minutes.
Jacksonville cut the deficit to two goals in the third period. McLinskey completed his hat trick at 15:37 to finish the scoring. Savannah’s recap credited goaltenders Vinnie Purpura and Tyler Muszelik with 10 saves apiece on 12 shots each.
The result provided an early return from Savannah’s connection with the Charlotte Checkers. Charlotte loaned McLinskey and Purpura to the Ghost Pirates along with three other players on October 1. Muszelik subsequently joined Savannah through an October 7 reassignment from Charlotte after making his professional debut in the AHL.
The seven-goal performance gives the staff examples of how its forwards can create opportunities as combinations take shape. The power-play goals also offer useful material for the final preparation sessions. Allowing four goals leaves defensive execution as another area to examine before the first regular-season opponent arrives.
The Ghost Pirates’ camp schedule lists a Green and Black scrimmage at the Ice Cove on October 13 at 4 p.m. Savannah then opens its fifth season by hosting Norfolk at Enmarket Arena on October 16. That game starts at 7 p.m. Eastern and begins the transition from exhibition evaluation to games that affect the standings.
GSB Take
Savannah’s forwards supplied an encouraging first look at their scoring potential. McLinskey and Callin finished chances, and the power play contributed to a productive night. Carrying that offense into the regular season will be more valuable if the Ghost Pirates also tighten the defensive work that allowed Jacksonville to remain within reach.