Hull Keeps His Shirt on, Blades Win

After an 8-5 victory over Oakland on Tuesday night at the Forum, Blade Coach Bobby Hull Jr.’s record reads: one victory, one loss, three shirts.

The coach of the roller hockey team had been so angry about his team’s lethargic play in Anaheim that he had to change shirts at halftime.

Tuesday, Hull was happier because Tony Gruba, Steve Bogoyevac and Steve Ross each scored twice.

“The shirt made it,” said Hull. “We played a lot better tonight, but I think we’re still at about 80%. We worked on shots all week, and we improved putting the puck on the goal.”

The Blades outshot Oakland, 44-29, before 4,157.

Blade goalie Maxim Mikhailovsky had 24 saves and gave up two goals in seven seconds early in the third period. The Blade defense kept the action almost entirely on the Oakland side of the rink for the period’s last 10 minutes, scoring three consecutive goals.

Rob Mendel assisted Bogoyevac on a give-and-go fast break at 9:39 of the third to put the Blades ahead, 7-3.

“You practice plays all week, but when you get a chance at those fast breaks, that’s what it’s all about,” Bogoyevac said.

The Blades led, 4-1, at halftime, thanks mostly to Oakland’s 22 penalty minutes. Gruba scored twice on first-half power plays.