Sabers' Last Three-Game Series of the 2024-2025 Regular Season

The San Diego Sabers started their last three-game series of the 2024-2025 regular season with an impressive 9-1 victory and an intense 4-3 overtime win. Although they were unable to close out the series and regular season with a win, this does not take away from their efforts from this past week. Learn more about how the Sabers finished off the regular season!

Friday, February 28, 2025

Game 1 | San Diego Sabers 9, Colorado Fighting Elk 1

The Sabers opened up the game with an early goal scored by Sammy Albano and closed out the first period of the game with a short handed goal scored by Weston English, which extended their lead to 2-0. Aidan Cosgrove continued the Sabers’ momentum into the second period with a goal scored two minutes and twenty-one seconds into the period (3-0). Although the Colorado Fighting Elk were able to answer back to one of the goals and momentarily make it a 3-1 game, this did not hinder the Sabers from closing the second period with a power play goal scored by Matthew Matsuda (4-1). The Sabers completely dominated the third period with five goals scored which secured their 9-1 win. The five Sabers goals were scored by Knut Hornkvist (1 G), Jeremy Adkins (1 G), Owen Robertson (1 G), and Sam Bailey who scored a power play goal and a regular goal (2 G). After ending the game with 49 shots on goal and Mikhail Saratovtsev’s 24 out of 25 shots on goal saved by the end of the third period, the Sabers were able to break their losing streak and potentially end the regular season with a winning streak.

Saturday, March 01, 2025

Game 2 | San Diego Sabers 4, Henderson Force 3

The Sabers did not back down as they answered back to Henderson Force’s two goals, which were scored early in the first period, with a goal scored by Sammy Albano (2-1) . Knut Hornkvist opened up the second period with a game tying power play goal scored one minute and thirty-six seconds into the period (2-2). Henderson Force answered back later in the period which made the score 3-2 in their favor. With time winding down in the third period, Sam Bailey was able to capitalize on a power play opportunity which forced the teams to go into overtime with a score of 3-3. Sabers’ Knut Hornkvist was able to score the game winning goal fourteen seconds into overtime which helped the Sabers secure their 4-3 win. The Sabers ended the game victorious with 28 shots on goal, a 100% power play success rate, and with Mikhail Saratovtsev, saving 36 out of 39 shots on goal by the end of the game. 

Sunday, March 02, 2025

Game 3 | Henderson Force 5, San Diego Sabers 3

Henderson Force came back with vengeance from their overtime loss and scored three unanswered goals during the first period of the game (3-0). After being dominated by Henderson Force in the first period, the Sabers regrouped and made it a one-goal game after taking over the second period with two unanswered goals (3-2). The two goals during the second period were scored by Weston English and Sam Bailey. Sabers’ Matthew Matsuda made it a tied game, 3-3, after scoring a power play goal early in the third period. After what seemed like a standstill as the rest of the period remained quiet up until the last three minutes of the game, Henderson Force were able to regain, extend, and secure their 5-3 win within the last few minutes of the period. This unfortunate loss does not take away from the Sabers’ 35 shots on goal and Parker Lewis’ 26 saves out of 30 shots on goal that he faced during this game. 

Although the San Diego Sabers were not able to close out the regular season with a win, they should be proud of their effort and determination to stay in the competition. They should also be proud of being able to break their losing streak with a two-game winning streak which was maintained up until their last game against Henderson Force. The Sabers went into this season with a clean slate as they were in a rebuild and closed out the 2024-2025 regular season with an intense set of games which fuels their eagerness to improve and evolve as the franchise. 

Thank you for checking into the San Diego Sabers’ weekly recap articles of the 2024-2025 USPHL regular season. Come back for the 2025-2026 USPHL regular season and stay tuned for the playoff coverage!