Bullfrogs and Hanson Set Scoring Records

A depleted Washington Power team wasn’t prepared for the quick first-quarter surge of the Bullfrogs Friday night.

The Bullfrogs opened a seven-goal lead in the first seven minutes of another Major League Roller Hockey mismatch at the Arrowhead Pond and rolled to their fourth consecutive victory, 25-2, in front of an announced crowd of 6,208.

Forward John Hanson set a team record with six goals and three assists, breaking the previous mark of eight points set by Bill Lund last week in a 16-2 rout of the Philadelphia Sting. Four other Bullfrogs got hat tricks or better and the 25 goals were the most scored by one team in a MLRH game this season.

The 25 goals also set a franchise record for most goals scored in a game. The Bullfrogs have outscored MLRH opponents, 54-9. They host Tampa Bay (3-3) Sunday.

When MLRH began its second season, many thought there would be a bunch of lop-sided scores. That was particularly true of the experienced Bullfrogs, who won the Roller Hockey International title in 1997, but switched to MLRH when the RHI folded.

Friday, six different Bullfrogs made it look easy as they marched to an 8-1 first-quarter lead. The defending MLRH champion Power (0-4) had only 12 players on the bench after a players’ revolt earlier in the week that erupted because of Arnold J. Willis’ meddling in coaching decisions.

Player/coach Eugene Wehner said that he expects more players to quit soon.

The Power picked up goaltender Steve Sinclair of Yorba Linda. It was Sinclair’s second consecutive one-game contract playing for a Bullfrog opponent.

Sinclair came in midway through the first quarter and gave up four goals before being removed in favor of starter Matthew Hines.

Last week, Sinclair gave up three goals in the final period when the Bullfrogs beat the Sting.

Bullfrog Coach Todd Gordon was enthused about the outcome.

“This is the best we have played from top to bottom,” Gordon said. “We were prepared to dominate from the drop of the puck.”

Gordon said the victory sent a message to teams like the Virginia Vultures (4-0), who host the Bullfrogs Tuesday in Richmond. Virginia beat the Power, 5-4, in their first meeting. Forward Glenn Stewart, who had a hat trick, agreed.

“It’s important to have one of these games once in a while,” Stewart said.

The Bullfrogs opened the second quarter with four goals in the first six minutes and led by 16 goals at the end of the third quarter.