Reserve’s Goal Saves Bullfrogs : Roller hockey: Arsenault’s score is the difference as Anaheim holds off San Jose, 7-6.

The Bullfrogs got something they didn’t see much of last season--a challenge--and the defending league champions had just enough to squeak by San Jose, 7-6, Thursday at The Pond of Anaheim.

Shayne Arsenault scored with 5 minutes 8 seconds remaining to give the Bullfrogs the insurance goal they needed. San Jose rallied from a four-goal, fourth-quarter deficit and made the Bullfrogs sweat for their Roller Hockey International victory in front of an announced crowd of 9,281.

“Shayne is a godsend right now,” Bullfrogs Coach Grant Sonier said. “His goal was huge.”

Arsenault started in place of last season’s playoff most valuable player, Bobby McKillop. McKillop, recovering from a sprained right knee, was ready for action Thursday, but Sonier wanted to rest him for Saturday’s game at San Diego and Sunday’s game against the Blades at the Forum.

Injuries claimed two more Bullfrogs players Thursday. Leading scorer Victor Gervais suffered a mild concussion nine minutes into the game, and defenseman Yuri Krivokhija suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter. Neither returned to the game.

“Victor didn’t know where he was after he got hit,” Sonier said. According to Sonier, Krivokhija suffered a bruised rotator cuff. He and Gervais might miss both games this weekend, Sonier said.

Thursday’s victory was not secured until Kevin Kerr won a faceoff deep in the Bullfrogs’ zone with 1.5 seconds remaining, and the puck slid harmlessly into the left corner untouched.

Trailing, 7-6, the Rhinos pulled goalie Grant Sjerven in the final minute and had an excellent opportunity with 40 seconds remaining. Guy Gadowski had an open net, but his rebound shot sailed over the goal.

“I think Steve Beadle got his stick on that one,” Sonier said. “San Jose plays a similar style to us and they’re a very good hockey team.”

Mark Woolf had two goals and three assists to lead the Rhinos (3-1-1), who entered the game in second place in the Pacific Division behind the Bullfrogs.

Brad McCaughey had three goals and an assist and Jim Brown had two goals for the Bullfrogs (5-0), who built a 6-2 lead after three quarters. Goalie Rob Laurie had 37 saves.

Notes

New York Rangers captain Mark Messier, owner of the Tampa Bay Tritons, took the Stanley Cup trophy to Expo Hall in Tampa Bay on Wednesday for viewing and so fans could pose for photographs with it. . . . Shortly after acquiring Carl LeBlanc in a trade with Atlanta for Colin Ward, the Bullfrogs traded LeBlanc Sunday to San Jose for a 1995 third-round draft pick, Bullfrogs Coach Grant Sonier said. The Bullfrogs signed forward Rick Judson to take Ward’s roster spot. “Rick is extremely strong with the puck and will add to our offense,” Sonier said. . . . The Bullfrogs have back-to-back games this weekend, playing at San Diego Saturday and at the Forum against the Los Angeles Blades Sunday. The Bullfrogs return to The Pond of Anaheim July 29 to play Portland.