Two Shorties, A Shutout, and a Playoff Spot Clinched, Topeka Wins 6-0

Topeka came into Friday night's game two points from clinching a playoff berth for the first time in 25 years. The Scarecrows were the last professional team to do so in 2001. After a turbulent season against the Zydeco including two losses the last time these two squads met here in Topeka the Scarecrows sought out a path to victory as well as extending their inaugural season. 

As the teams felt eachother out through the first period confidence began to build and Topeka found the back of the net on a faceoff won by Steven Klinck back to Cameron Clark who threw a pass to the front of the net and Scott Coash caught it on the backhand and tossed it over the shoulder of Bailey Stephens for the 1-0 lead at 12:16 of the period.

Despite being shorthanded the Scarecrows continued to push the pace of play and after Douglas Blaisdell sent Clark forward Trevor Grasby picked up the rebound and tucked it behind Stephens for the 2-0 lead 6:14 into period two. 1:36 later on a perfect cross crease pass Clark found Steven Klinck wide open who fired the puck past Stephens for 3-0 lead. On a power play Topeka struck for the third time in the period as Connor Lind threw the puck in front of the net and found Boston Bird's stick for his 11th of the season to make it 4-0 Scarecrows 11:18 into the second period.

Grasby opened up the scoring in the third as well on a shorthanded goal hustling down after Cory Checco took a shot on Stephens and Grasby put home the rebound for the 5-0 lead 4:08 into the period. 3:09 later rookie Jordan Stear got a puck at the point, skated into the top of the circle and fired it past Stephens for the 6-0 victory.

Sammy Bernard stopped 18 of 18 Zydeco shots for his first 18 win season of his career, and his third shutout of the season.

Topeka returns to action tomorrow night against the Zydeco at 7:05pm. Get your tickets on Ticketmaster or at the Cable Dahmer Box Office.