SPLASH TONIGHT

Opponent--Portland Pride

Site--The Rose Garden

Time--7:30

Records--Splash 8-7, Pride 8-10.

Splash update--The Splash’s three-game winning streak is its longest of the season. Player/Coach Dale Ervine had one goal and Danny Barber two in Sunday’s 7-5 victory over Houston as they finally reached double-figure goal-scoring for the season, joining Bernie Lilavois (22 goals, 10 assists), who leads the league in shooting percentage (37.3%) and sixth-attacker goals (three). Barber’s third short-handed goal extended his CISL career record to nine. Ervine has four goals and two assists the last three games. The defense, with Ruben Fernandez in goal, is the league’s second best (4.93 goals per game); Houston had the league’s highest scoring defense, but scored only twice when not on a power play. The last team tobeat the Splash was Portland, 5-4, which capped a stretch in which the Splash lost consecutive four road games by a combined six goals. The Splash has converted three of five power-play opportunities in the last four games, though only 31% on the season.

Pride update--The Pride has won six of its last eight and is 7-5--same as the Splash over the last 12 games--since Ralph Black became its player/coach. He replaced former Splash Coach Ian Fulton. Jeff Betts (23 goals, 14 assists), with a 12-game goal-scoring streak, and Franklin McIntosh (12 goals, 15 assists) lead the offense. Goalkeeper Brett Phillips has a 5.39 GAA. The Splash’s disappointing penalty-killing unit (58.6%) may get a break; Portland ranks 10th among 11 teams in power-play effectiveness (28.6%). This is the teams’ third meeting; both have won home games.