Roughnecks edge out Sabers in 4-2 bout

The Sabers returned from Thanksgiving break, finding themselves in a familiar scenario – once again falling to the Bakersfield Roughnecks in a 4-2 defeat.

The game began with a quick exchange of goals in the first period. San Diego took an early lead just 1 minute and 12 seconds into the game when Litzinger netted one past Bakersfield's goaltender Hurens, assisted by Heskett and Gouin. However, the Roughnecks swiftly responded, with Edwards finding the back of the net at 2:46, and then Faucher extending their lead at 4:07. Bakersfield continued to dominate the first period, with McCoy and Thomas adding two more goals at 11:14 and 13:27, respectively. San Diego managed to narrow the gap as Litzinger scored his second of the night at 13:30, assisted by Gouin and Gradin. The first period concluded with a score of 4-2 in favor of Bakersfield.

Photo by Greg Siller

The second period remained scoreless, with both teams battling fiercely but unable to capitalize on their opportunities. The goaltenders, May for the Sabers and Hurens for the Roughnecks, stood tall, keeping the score unchanged heading into the final period.

The intensity continued into the third period, but neither team managed to find the back of the net. Despite a couple of power-play opportunities for both sides, the scoreline remained static. Bakersfield's Whitney and Cloutier found themselves in the penalty box during the third period, but the special teams couldn't capitalize on the man-advantage opportunities.

The game concluded with a final score of Bakersfield Roughnecks 4, San Diego Sabers 2. Bakersfield outshot San Diego with an impressive 53 shots on goal, while the Sabers registered 36 shots.

In the goaltending department, Hurens of the Roughnecks showcased a solid performance, making 34 saves on 36 shots. On the other side, May of the Sabers faced a barrage of shots, making 49 saves on 53 shots.

Next weekend, from December 8-10, the Sabers are set to host the Las Vegas Thunderbirds at Icetown Carlsbad. This matchup marks the first encounter between the two teams since the beginning of the season in September. Don't miss out on the excitement; secure your tickets today!

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