Ghost Pirates Capture First Championship In Franchise History

ROCKVILLE, M.D. — The D.C. Ghost Pirates are the 2024 Summer Playoff Champions.

Ryan Rudy scored twice, including the game-winner with 1:28 minutes left in regulation time, and Kevin Bartechko stopped 27 of 29 shots en route to a 3-2 victory over Thunder to clinch the Parent Cup for D.C.

It marks the Ghost Pirates' first title in franchise history after just four seasons as members of Hockey North America Washington. The team went undefeated in the postseason to clinch the championship.

"It's an honor to go to war with these guys every night," captain Sammi Silber said. "We needed our top guys to step up and they did, but it was also a team effort from start to finish. I'm proud of this group."

Mike Kerwin opened the scoring for the Ghost Pirates in the first period, sliding home a backhand shot to even the score at 1. Gregory Gertner also picked up an assist on Rudy's first goal for D.C.

The Ghost Pirates went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill in the title game. and were perfect on the PK throughout the entire postseason.

"We stayed feral," alternate captain James Ortmann, who had a hat trick in the semifinal game against the Invaders to help D.C. advance to the championship with a 6-5 victory, noted.