Bullfrogs’ Judson Finds the Net, Beats Oakland

In the Bullfrogs’ 9-6 victory over Oakland on Sunday, the crowd of 9,221 at The Pond of Anaheim watched the birth of a new hero and villain.

Forward Rick Judson scored his first goal as a Bullfrog, breaking a 6-6 tie with 3 minutes 23 seconds remaining, then added two more goals in the next 2:42 to ensure the Roller Hockey International victory for the Bullfrogs (9-1).

Anaheim captain Kevin Kerr had a goal and three assists and Victor Gervais had four assists and two goals, including one that tied the score, 6-6, with 6:10 left.

The partisan crowd that cheered for Gervais and Judson, enthusiastically booed Oakland forward Doug Lawrence, who had a goal and an assist.

Anaheim fans remembered Lawrence’s scrappy play in last season’s championship series, and he didn’t back down again as he and Kerr exchanged words and were separated by officials and players at the game’s conclusion.

The Skates (2-8) trailed, 5-1, midway through the third quarter before responding with five consecutive goals, starting with Lawrence’s score with 5:47 remaining in the third quarter.

After two third-quarter power-play goals by Dave Doucette, Sylvain Naud scored on the power play with 9:57 remaining and Mike Robertson scored on a breakaway 27 seconds later to give the Skates a 6-5 lead.

“Give Oakland credit because they played well and scored some power-play goals,” Bullfrog Coach Grant Sonier said. “But I really believe the referees took us out of this game by calling unnecessary penalties against us.

“If our player is high-sticking, I expect that to be called. But there were lots of interference, holding, and tripping penalties that weren’t called (on Oakland).

“We are certainly walking a tightrope. Sometimes, we get ourselves into trouble but tonight . . . I really don’t know how I would have reacted if we had lost this game.”

Luckily for Sonier’s team, Gervais stepped up his play.

After Gervais scored the tying goal, referees whistled Oakland’s Howie Rosenblatt for high-sticking. The Bullfrogs cashed in the power-play opportunity when Judson scored off assists from Kerr and Gervais. Gervais also assisted on Judson’s next goals, the final one an empty-netter with 41.9 seconds remaining.

Bullfrog goalie Chris Gordon made 24 saves, and his teammates outshot Oakland, 46-30.

Watching from the bench was Gordon’s teammate, goalie Rob Laurie, the Bullfrogs’ lone representative for the RHI All-Star game July 9.

Laurie’s night off Sunday was well deserved.

He faced 70 shots and made a league-record 64 saves Saturday in the Bullfrogs’ 9-6 victory over San Diego.

Scott Humphrey of St. Louis set the previous mark, making 61 saves June 26 in a 7-6 shootout-loss to Chicago.

“The 70 shots didn’t bother me,” Sonier said. “It was a weird game. We were asleep and they were asleep, too, we just woke up before they did.”

And the Bullfrogs woke up just in time again Sunday.

Notes

ESPN will broadcast live the inaugural RHI All-Star game in Vancouver, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Bullfrog Coach Grant Sonier will join Buffalo’s Chris McSorley as a head coach in the game. Last season, Sonier served as an assistant to McSorley, the RHI coach of the year who led the Bullfrogs to the league title. . . . The Bullfrogs’ Brad McCaughey, a player-assistant coach, donned a coat and tie instead of a uniform Sunday, joining Sonier behind the bench. McCaughey, who had a team-leading 19 points, nine goals and 10 assists heading into Sunday’s game, suffered a mild concussion in the Bullfrogs’ 9-6 victory over San Diego on Saturday. . . . Defenseman Yuri Krivokhija, still nursing a shoulder injury, should return to the lineup July 10 when the Bullfrogs play San Jose at home.