Gold Kings play their 'best game,' but lose to Topeka

Despite playing their "best game of the season," the Colorado Gold Kings fell 3-2 to the Topeka Scarecrows Saturday night in front of 2,896 at the World Arena.

The Gold Kings (6-6-2) outshot the Scarecrows 17-5 in the third period but couldn't get the tying goal past Topeka's Scott Hay, who had 37 saves.

The loss snaps Colorado's win streak at three games.

"We had taken the last seven of eight points and were looking for nine of 10 tonight," Gold Kings coach Kirk Tomlinson said. "But the positive part is through the length of 60 minutes, we played our best game of the season.

"It's funny how you have to be positive over a previous win when you don't feel you played well, and tonight, you come out on the short end of the stick, but you feel like you had the best effort of the season so far."

The Gold Kings picked up their two goals from Zac Boyer early in the game and Brian LaFleur in the opening minute of the second period. Colorado's goaltender Frederick Beaubien kept the Gold Kings in the game with 34 saves.

"We attacked the net with speed," Tomlinson said. "We got a lot of shots. We only had three power plays, but still generated more than 36 shots, which is great offense. We had good goaltending. It was just great across the board. You have to be happy with the effort, just disappointed with the result."

The Gold Kings jumped out to a 1-0 advantage on an unassisted blast from the left circle by Boyer at 3:44. Boyer notched a hat trick and an assist in Friday's 5-3 victory over Topeka, and now has a team-leading nine goals.

The Scarecrows tied it up at 13:31 of the first period on a power play goal, then took the lead with 34 seconds left in the first period when left wing Bob Berg swept in for the goal.

Topeka (8-5-2) outshot Colorado 22-13 in the opening period. Colorado rallied to start the second period using a power play goal by LaFleur, who skated uncontested to the right circle, then buried a shot to the right of Hay at 1:01.

Topeka, though, continued to pepper Beaubien with shots in the second period and took the lead for good at 4:18 on a goal by left wing Paul Strand.

Colorado returns to action Tuesday and Wednesday with a pair of games at Phoenix.

- Troy Schwindt may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

Peppered

Gold Kings goalie Frederick Beaubien faced 22 shots in the first period and finished with 34 saves in the 3-2 loss to Topeka.

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