Vancouver Puts Away Bullfrogs in First Game

The Bullfrogs are one game away from elimination in the Roller Hockey International playoffs after losing, 9-5, to the Vancouver VooDoo in the first game of the Western Conference finals Saturday at the General Motors Place in Vancouver.

The teams meet today in Game 2 at The Pond.

Forward Doug Ast scored four goals and goaltender Bob Bell made 33 saves to lead Vancouver.

With Vancouver leading, 5-2, in the third quarter, the Bullfrogs’ Sean Whyte and Glenn Stewart scored to narrow the lead to one.

However, the VooDoo (21-8-3) put the game away by scoring four consecutive goals. The loss stopped the Bullfrogs’ winning streak at five.

Vancouver led, 1-0, after the first quarter on a goal by Shaun Snesar. Ast then scored three goals in the second quarter to give Vancouver a 5-2 lead at the half.

Bullfrog goalie Eric Raymond was lifted at halftime in favor of Rob Laurie, the league’s second-ranked goaltender with a 4.5 goals-against average.

Stewart, who led the Bullfrogs with 33 goals during the regular season, scored his third goal of the game midway through the final quarter.