Bullfrogs Use a Familiar Style of Play to Dominate Las Vegas, 14-4

There were many happy returns for the Bullfrogs in their 14-4 victory over Las Vegas Friday night.

A crowd of 10,601 at The Pond of Anaheim watched the Bullfrogs bring back the style of game that many fans had grown accustomed to last season, when the team won the Roller Hockey International championship.

Victor Gervais and Jim Brown rediscovered their scoring touch as each collected three goals and an assist.

Forward Bobby McKillop, last season’s playoff MVP, made his way back to the score sheet with two goals, his first in nearly four weeks.

And Anaheim’s suffocating defense also returned, limiting the Flash to 31 shots as goalie Rob Laurie made some sparkling saves.

“If I could bottle tonight’s emotion and release it before every game I’d be a millionaire,” Bullfrog Coach Grant Sonier said.

Although the Bullfrogs played without captain Kevin Kerr and their top-scoring defenseman, Darren Perkins, the team didn’t miss a beat.

Christian Lalonde and Steve Beadle each had four assists, Brad McCaughey had a goal and three assists, and Joe Cook scored two goals.

Rich Chernomaz scored three goals for Las Vegas.

Kerr sat out after receiving a mandatory one-game suspension for a game-misconduct penalty he incurred in the last game. Perkins is attending his sister’s wedding, Sonier said.

The Bullfrogs (12-4) pulled within two points of the Blades (13-4), who lead the Pacific Division. Las Vegas (6-10-1) is four points out of the division’s last playoff spot behind San Diego (8-7-2).

The only scare for the Bullfrogs came with 3 minutes 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Gervais, the team’s leading scorer with 20 goals and 20 assists, injured his knee and left the game. Sonier said he may be ready for tonight’s game at Oakland.