Phoenix Trips Up the Bullfrogs : Roller hockey: Cobras win, 10-8, to end a 13-game streak for Anaheim.

The Bullfrogs’ 13-game unbeaten streak came to an end Friday night, as the Phoenix Cobras recorded a 10-8 Roller Hockey International victory at The Pond.

A prime example of how the Bullfrogs struggled came with 5 minutes 30 seconds remaining in the game. Trailing by four goals, several penalties gave the Bullfrogs a man advantage.

But even that wasn’t good enough for the league’s top power-play unit. Brad Tiley, Todd Wetzel and captain Victor Gervais couldn’t solve Phoenix goaltender Jeff Levy as the Cobras went on to victory.

It was the first regulation loss for the Bullfrogs (12-1-1), who dropped a game to Oakland in a shootout. Phoenix, in a tight race with the Blades for second place in the division, is 7-7.

The Cobras, who have lost twice to the Bullfrogs, including a one-goal decision Tuesday night at home, controlled the game with five power-play goals.

Leading the way was Brent Sapergia, who scored three goals before the midpoint of the second quarter.

The Bullfrogs, who got a three-goal performance from Rick Judson, would just as soon forget that second quarter. Although they skated slowly from the outset of the game, the Bullfrogs fell behind, 8-4, at the 3:31 mark of the quarter on Ralph Barhona’s unassisted goal on Bullfrogs goaltender Chris Gordon.

Those five Cobra power-play goals were the subject of great debate in the locker room of the Bullfrogs, who were missing Daniel Shank and Joe Cook because of suspension stemming from fights in Thursday’s game at Sacramento.

“We were a little tired, but we played like a bunch of idiots out there tonight,” Savo Mitrovic said. “We took stupid penalties, myself included. We had no discipline.”

Mitrovic was kicked out of the game with 7:05 remaining after he was called for slashing Rickard Gronberg. The Bullfrogs were trailing, 9-6.

Phoenix was awarded a penalty shot and Michel Couvrette beat Gordon to make it 10-6.

“We started the game a little flat, myself included, and that was frustrating,” Gordon said. “We need some time off but that was no excuse for losing.”

Anaheim, which has played six games in nine days, retains the best overall league record, and largest division lead in the RHI. But with six of their last 10 games scheduled on the road, including a rematch Aug. 9 at Phoenix, the Bullfrogs are aware that the second half of the season won’t be a cake walk.

“We will start over from scratch,” said Coach Grant Sonier of the second half of the season, which begins Tuesday at Vancouver. “It was our philosophy to try to put together two good halves and next week we will try to regroup.”

A pleased Phoenix Coach Todd Brost agreed that the second half of the season will be much tougher for all.

“It was a big win for us,” Brost said. “I thought our power play would be better than it has been this season, but tonight it clicked. That was good to see.”