Bullfrogs Open in Style With Win

ANAHEIM —  The Bullfrogs ushered in the Brad McCaughey era by bringing their first-year coach onto the playing surface in a shiny, white stretch limousine.

“We figured we’d blow it out first class,” Bullfrogs General Manager Bob Destocki said.

Then the Bullfrogs went out and blew a four-goal lead before pounding out a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Vipers in a Roller Hockey International game Saturday at the Pond.

Rick Judson scored three goals and Darren Perkins had two goals and two assists for the Bullfrogs, who played their fifth season-opener in front of an announced crowd of 11,901.

The actual number of fans present was probably closer to half the announced figure. They first jeered the Bullfrogs after they allowed the Vipers (1-1) to score four consecutive goals during a nine-minute span to tie it, 5-5, with 9 minutes 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Then the crowd cheered the Bullfrogs when they scored three goals in only 17 seconds to regain control of the game in convincing fashion.

“We did some stupid things to let them back into the game,” McCaughey said. “We forgot about defense. But we fought back and I was pleased with the effort.”

Judson started the three-goal frenzy skating around Dave Shute with a nice one-on-one move at the right faceoff circle before he beat St. Louis goalie Ken Shepard for a 6-5 Anaheim lead with 8:35 remaining.

Bullfrogs defenseman Darren Perkins scored nine seconds later, knocking in his rebound.

“Perkins’ goal was a big one and that was a hard-working goal,” McCaughey said.

Marty Yewchuck scored on a rebound with 8:18 remaining in the quarter for a three-goal lead, then Judson put the game out of reach, scoring his third goal with 2:21 remaining.

The Bullfrogs’ three-goal outburst gave former King goaltender David Goverde, a little breathing room. Goverde, who started, had 34 saves and made some key stops in the fourth quarter.

St. Louis missed its first three power-play opportunities in the final period, including a two-man advantage situation. Frank Cirone scored his third goal on a power play with 1:04 remaining to close the gap to three, but it was too late.

Goverde’s start was a little surprising considering the Bullfrogs still have three-time all-star Rob Laurie, who was a healthy scratch.

The Bullfrogs also played without the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Victor Gervais and third all-time leading scorer Savo Mitrovic. Both are out with season-ending injuries.

Although they played without the stars of their past, they made up for it with balance and some new faces. First-year Bullfrogs forward Jim Bermingham and defenseman Kurt Seher each had three assists and every Bullfrog scored except Goverde.

“I like it that way,” McCaughey said. “That way you can’t focus on just one guy to shut us down. And if we have one guy out, it’s not a big deal.”

Notes

Todd Wetzel, the Bullfrogs’ third-leading scorer last season, did not play Saturday but was a healthy scratch. “He just got back into town but we’re going to get him into the lineup every chance we get,” Coach Brad McCaughey said. . . . Defenseman Joe Cook, the team’s fourth all-time leading scorer, scored a goal Saturday and will play in “three-quarters of the games,” McCaughey said, because of prior commitments Cook made to his business and his captaincy with the U.S. team for the Inline World Hockey Championships. . . . The club retired McCaughey’s jersey, No. 18, in a pregame ceremony. . . . Director of Player Personnel and former Bullfrogs Coach Grant Sonier also participated in the opening ceremonies, singing “America the Beautiful.”