Oct. 11-12, 2024: San Diego Sabers’ First Shootout Win!

The San Diego Sabers faced the Ventura Vikings on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Carlsbad Icetown. They then traveled to Iceoplex Simi Valley where they faced the Ontario Jr. Reign on Saturday, October 12, 2024 for Game 2 of their two-game series. Game 1 of the two-game series resulted in a 3-2 shootout win for the San Diego Sabers. Game 2 resulted in a 5-2 win in favor of Ontario Jr. Reign.

Friday, October 11, 2024

Game 1: San Diego Sabers 3, Ventura Vikings 2

The San Diego Sabers started the game with a slow first period which remained scoreless despite a few powerplay attempts. The Ventura Vikings scored two goals in the first half of the second period and Sabers’ Sam Bailey answered back with 13 seconds left of the period to make it a one-goal game (2-1). With a little over 3 minutes left in the third period, Knut Hornkvist scored the game-tying goal which remained unanswered and forced the teams into overtime. Parker Lewis was in net for the San Diego Sabers and saved 19 out of 21 shots on goal while Joshua Arsenault was in net for the Ventura Vikings and saved a total of 23 out of 25 shots on goal during regulation. Sam Bailey opened up the shootout with a successful first attempt which was answered back by the Ventura Vikings. Tied, Sammy Ablano was able to successfully score and close out the shootout with a San Diego Sabers 3-2 shootout victory. In the shootout, both goaltenders stayed in net and Parker Lewis only let one of Ventura Viking’s shootout attempts slip past him which secured the win for the Sabers. 

After the game, Sammy Ablano expressed how scoring the game winning goal was awesome and expressed how the resilience and teams’ hard work throughout the game paid off as that gave them the momentum to finish strong. He also expressed how he was “glad that he was able to close it out” and that “it was a good win for the boys”. When questioned about how he dealt with the pressure in that shootout he answered with, “I didn’t really feel any pressure. I knew I could close it off and get a goal in there”. That confidence sums up the overall fuel that drives the Sabers determination and hunger to win.   

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Game 2: Ontario Jr. Reign 5, San Diego Sabers 2

The San Diego Sabers and Ontario Jr. Reign faced each other at Iceoplex Simi Valley for the Ice in Paradise Showcase on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Ontario Jr. Reign started strong with a short handed goal scored during the first period. The San Diego Sabers answered back 44 seconds into the second period to momentarily tie the game 1-1. The Ontario Jr. Reign were able to make it a one-goal game going into the third period after scoring early in the second period which remained unanswered by the Sabers. Despite being able to answer back on one out of three goals scored by the Ontario Jr. Reign, the Sabers’ efforts to make a comeback in the third period unfortunately fell short and the game ended with a final score of 5-2 in the Reign’s favor. Domenik McInenly able to secure the win for the Ontario Jr. Reign after saving 39 out of 41 shots on goal. Viktor Pasztor was in net for the San Diego Sabers and saved a total of 31 out of 36 shots on goal. 

Although the Sabers ended their weekend with a loss, the Sabers’ efforts should not be dismissed. They preserved and achieved their first shootout win against the Ventura Vikings on Friday, October 11, 2024 and fought hard against Ontario Jr. Reign. Their confidence has not been diminished and their determination will continue to be their driving force as they go into the games this weekend. 

The scheduled for this weekend’s games: 

Game 1 | Thursday, October 17, 2024 | Lakewood Ice (Away)

• San Diego Sabers (5-4-0-0) will face the Long Beach Bombers (1-10-0-0) on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:00 PM PDT. This game will be located at Lakewood Ice.

  • Watch on FloHockey

Game 2 | Friday, October 18, 2024 | Carlsbad Icetown (Home)

• San Diego Sabers (5-4-0-0) will face the Ontario Jr. Reign (6-2-0-0) on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM PDT. This game will be located at Carlsbad Icetown.

  • Watch on FloHockey

Game 3 | Sunday, October 20, 2024 | Carlsbad Icetown (Home)

• San Diego Sabers (5-4-0-0) will face the Lake Tahoe Lakers (10-2-0-0) on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM PDT. This home game will be located at Carlsbad Icetown.

  • Watch on FloHockey

Come back for the next San Diego Sabers’ weekly recap of the 2024-2025 USPHL regular season!