CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. — The Quaker Valley Quakers looked to clinch the final spot in the Class-AA playoff bracket Thursday night with a win over the Baldwin Highlanders. Baldwin, having clinched a playoff berth just three days prior over their rival Upper St. Clair, had other plans for the Quakers, defeating them 9-0 in a dominant start-to-finish effort.
Vincent Episcopo got the scoring started just 12 seconds in after he pushed a rebound in past Quakers goaltender Colin Rice. Baldwin had chances to extend the lead at numerous points in the remainder of the period, but Rice settled in after the opening goal and stood tall.
The second period was where the Highlanders made their statement. Six goals from five different players, including a short-handed goal and a power play goal, gave Baldwin the 7-0 lead after two periods. Noah Fischer put in the short-handed goal that started the barrage. Keith Reed Jr and Nathan Hobson added their own contributions a few minutes later before Reed found the back of the net for his second of the night on the power play at the 12:12 mark of the second. Ross Zofcin and Andrew Golvash, the latter had a four-goal night three days prior, added two more goals to the tally at the end of the period.
The third period was noticeably quieter, but with a running clock, Baldwin still found more scoring. Zofcin added his second goal of the game at the 13:33 mark of the third and completed the natural hat trick with just 43 seconds left in the game.
MAJOR FOCUS: BALDWIN SHELLS QUAKER VALLEY, 9-0
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