Bullfrogs Can’t Catch Up After Slow Start : Roller hockey: Their late rally falls short in 9-7 loss, Anaheim’s first in regulation.

The San Diego Barracudas defeated the Bullfrogs, 9-7, in a Roller Hockey International game Saturday night at the San Diego Sports Arena.

The loss, in regulation, is the first in franchise history for the Bullfrogs, who finished last season 17-0-1 and started this season with five victories.

After ending the first quarter in a 2-2 tie, the Barracudas scored five consecutive goals, three in the second quarter and two in the third. Scott Gruhl and Marc Savard scored two goals each for the Barracudas during the five-goal run.

The Bullfrogs started the fourth quarter by scoring three consecutive goals. Brad McCaughey at 2:29; Joe Cook at 5:29 and Jim Brown’s goal at 8:38 cut the deficit to 8-6. But Gruhl put the game out of reach with his fourth goal of the night at 10:34.

Barracudas goaltender Francis Ouellette earned the victory by recording 41 saves as Anaheim outshot San Diego, 57-41.

“Francis Ouellette was the key to our first loss. He was outstanding early in the game, and after the start, it was hard to come back,” said Anaheim Coach Grant Sonier.

Bobby McKillop had two goals and two assists for the Bullfrogs, who dropped to 5-1-0 with 10 points on the season. The Barracudas improved to 4-3-0 with eight points.

The Bullfrogs play the Blades at 5:05 tonight at the Forum.