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Whistles Fail to Slow Bullfrogs : Roller hockey: Anaheim penalized 11 times during 13-6 victory over Phoenix.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

It wasn’t pretty, but the Bullfrogs still lit up the scoreboard in an ugly 13-6 victory over the Phoenix Cobras on Friday at The Pond.

The Bullfrogs were whistled for 11 penalties--nine minor, one four-minute major and one game misconduct--but gave up only two power-play goals on the way to their third consecutive Roller Hockey International victory in front of 8,324.

Goalie Rob Laurie had 34 saves to anchor the Bullfrogs’ efficient penalty-killing unit. Darren Banks and Todd Wetzel each scored three goals, Joe Cook had two goals and two assists, and Victor Gervais had five assists to lead an opportunistic offense.

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“It was a lull-type game,” Bullfrogs Coach Grant Sonier said. “We didn’t have the ‘Umph’ that we had in our first two victories, but that’s fine.”

Although the Bullfrogs (3-0) displayed sloppy stickhandling at times and took a few too many penalties for their coach’s taste, Sonier doesn’t mind his team’s aggressive attitude.

“We got a little goal-happy tonight but we’ve been scoring almost at will,” Sonier said. “They know I will harp on defense all season. We killed penalties well tonight.”

The victory spoiled the homecoming for former Bullfrog Bobby McKillop, who had a goal and two assists, and Steve Beadle. The pair were traded to Phoenix (1-6) in the off-season for Daniel Shank.

Shank played a key role in the Bullfrogs’ victory, although one of his biggest contributions was an accident.

With 39 seconds remaining in the second quarter and Phoenix working on a four-minute power play, Shank went to clear the zone and banked the puck off the right boards at center rink. But when Phoenix goalie Jeff Levy came out, the puck slid beneath his stick and into the goal to make it 6-4, Anaheim.

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One minute six seconds earlier, Bullfrogs defenseman Jared Bednar was whistled for slashing Cobras forward Brent Sapergia and was assessed a four-minute major and game-misconduct penalty. Phoenix forward Kevin St. Jacques scored on the ensuing penalty shot to draw the Cobras to within 5-4, but Shank’s goal took away the Cobras’ momentum.

The Bullfrogs frustrated the Cobras further in the third quarter. Phoenix didn’t score on four consecutive power-play opportunities--including a four-on-two. Banks scored his third goal on a breakaway, immediately after exiting the penalty box off an assist from Gervais. The goal made it 9-4 and the rout was on.

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Bullfrog Notes

Fredrick Jax and Mark Ouimet weren’t in Friday’s lineup, but neither player is injured. Brad Tiley (broken jaw) and Mark Deazeley (knee) are still out because of injuries . . . The Bullfrogs’ next game is Sunday at The Pond against the Sacramento River Rats. The game begins at 6 p.m. and the parking lot will open at 3 p.m. for a mini-carnival featuring games, product demonstrations and food.

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