Sabers secure second victory at Showcase

by James Karr

Monday, December 18, 2023 - City National Arena Summerlin Hospital Rink A

In their second game of the day at the USPHL Las Vegas Showcase, the San Diego Sabers showcased their offensive prowess, securing a victory against the Rogue Valley Royals with a final score of 8-5.

The first period set the tone for an action-packed game. Rogue Valley Royals took an early lead with a goal from Los at 5:12, but the Sabers responded swiftly. Ouellet netted one for the Sabers at 6:19, leveling the score. The back-and-forth continued, with both teams adding goals—Kehl for the Royals and Frizado for the Sabers—resulting in a 2-2 tie by the end of the period.



The intensity escalated in the second period, with both teams hungry for dominance. Kehl of the Royals opened the scoring at 3:11, but the Sabers responded with a flurry of goals. Paganini, Toulec, and Frizado all found the back of the net, putting the Sabers in a commanding position. The Royals managed to narrow the gap with a power-play goal from Hanson, but the Sabers continued their offensive onslaught. Ouellet, Frizado, and Toulec contributed to a 7-4 lead for the Sabers at the close of the period.



Entering the third period with a three-goal advantage, the Sabers remained resilient. Despite a goal from Matias for the Royals at 3:36, the Sabers' Frizado sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:01. The final score stood at 8-5 in favor of the Sabers.



The game saw notable performances from key players, with Ouellet and Frizado each contributing three goals. The Sabers' May, guarding the net, made 27 saves out of 32 shots, securing a crucial win for the team.

With this impressive victory, the San Diego Sabers continue to make their mark at the USPHL Las Vegas Showcase. The team's relentless offense and solid goaltending have positioned them as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.