Loss Has Bullfrogs Talking to Themselves

The Bullfrogs finally found themselves fallible at home on Friday, losing for the first time in regulation in 23 games at the Pond and having their 14-game home winning streak stopped.

Not only did they lose to San Jose, 9-5, in a Roller Hockey International Western Conference showdown, they lost so badly it warranted a players’ only meeting afterward.

“We just talked about committing ourselves harder to do some of the little things at home,” said goalkeeper Rob Laurie, whose 37 saves were 10 more than his average. “The guys can’t be going Boogie boarding the day before a game and wear themselves out.”

And that’s the way the Bullfrogs played. They committed what Coach Brad McCaughey called “stupid penalties” in the first half that helped San Jose take a 4-0 lead 7 minutes 1 second into the second quarter. Two of those were on power plays.

It was a complete reversal from last weekend’s home-and-home series won by the Bullfrogs, 12-5 and 8-5. In those games, the Bullfrogs converted nine of 12 power plays in two penalty-filled games.

The Bullfrogs (7-4) led the league in power-play efficiency (52.1%) and penalty killing (66.7%). But in front of an announced crowd of 6,670, San Jose (7-2-1) mocked those totals. The Rhinos converted four of five power plays and, despite being the worst penalty-killing unit in the league (38.3%), gave up only two goals in six opportunities.

Team meeting? You better believe it.

“We were a little sluggish,” said Laurie, who dropped to 5-1. “I think we took them for granted after beating them last weekend.

“We just weren’t ready to play mentally or physically. The coach rewarded us with some light practices and we took advantage of it. When we did practice, I don’t think we practiced hard. [San Jose was] only one point behind us and we played like all we had to do was step on the floor and win. It humbled us. I hope it humbled us.”

San Jose (15 points) moved into first place, one point ahead of the Bullfrogs, who play the third-place Los Angeles Blades (12 points) on July 10 and 12, and the Rhinos (at San Jose) on July 11.

The Bullfrogs’ Doug McCarthy was held scoreless for the first time this season. Although the Bullfrogs got goals from Victor Gervais (two goals, three assists) and Tom Menicci in the final four minutes to cut the deficit to 4-2, they got no closer than 5-3 in the second half.

The teams combined for 51 penalty minutes, 27 by the Bullfrogs.

San Jose’s leading scorer, Radek Hamr (34 points), who was limited to three assists last week, had six assists and one goal on Friday. Its leading goal-scorer Jason Elders (15 goals), who scored once last weekend, scored four goals.

McCaughey said it was too late in the season for his team to need a wake-up call, but conceded this loss “better be a wake-up call--we just got our butts kicked.”