Bullfrogs Find the Right Blend : Roller hockey: They get help from new and experienced players to open season with 7-5 victory.

The Bullfrogs displayed the perfect mix of old and new in their season-opening 7-5 victory over the Blades at The Pond Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 13,911.

Third-year Roller Hockey International veteran Joe Cook scored two goals and the newly acquired Daniel Shank added three assists to spearhead Anaheim’s offense.

Although the Bullfrogs took a 5-1 halftime lead, they needed key second-half goals from third-year defenseman Darren Perkins and first-year forward Marc Ouimet to help fend off the Blades.

Perkins scored the only goal of the fourth quarter to give the Bullfrogs a two-goal cushion. Ouimet scored with 1 minute 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter after the Blades had scored three consecutive goals to trim the lead to 5-4.

“Ouimet’s goal was huge,” Bullfrog Coach Grant Sonier said. “We’re creatures of habit, so when you get up four or five goals I think you have a tendency to let up a little.

“But what I liked was when L.A. made it close, our guys responded. I like our hockey team.”

Although the Bullfrogs couldn’t muster much offense in the second half, goalie Rob Laurie made the lead stand up.

Last season, Laurie almost shut out the Blades in the season opener and was named to the Western Conference All-Star team. Saturday, Laurie was sharp again, making 40 saves.

“Rob played really well tonight,” Blade defenseman Steve Wilson said. “I think he is the top goaltender in the RHI.”

When the Bullfrogs stayed out of the penalty box, they made it easy for Laurie. The Blades scored four of their five goals on power plays.

Peter Kasowski had two goals and an assist and Rob Hartnell had a goal and two assists to lead the Blades’ rally. But the Bullfrogs were already too far ahead.

The Bullfrogs closed the second quarter with a flurry, scoring three consecutive goals and two in the final 1:02.

Victor Gervais and Brad McCaughey each had a goal and an assist and first-year player Fredrik Jax also scored his first RHI goal.

“There were a lot of good performances all around tonight,” Sonier said. “Besides the scoring standouts, Darren Banks finished every check, Rick Judson and B.J. MacPherson played great in one-on-ones. They were the unsung heroes.”

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Bullfrog Notes

Kings defenseman Marty McSorley joined his brother, Chris, the Bullfrogs’ director of player personnel, to drop the puck for the ceremonial opening faceoff. . . . The Bullfrogs’ next game is against the Oklahoma Coyotes June 10 at The Pond. The Bullfrogs will hold special silent auctions at the game for the Oklahoma City Mayors Relief Fund, which benefits the bombing victims and their families. . . . ESPN will televise the Bullfrogs-Blades game Thursday.