Bullfrog Offense Is Happy to Have Dallas in Town
Dallas, which lost to the Bullfrogs, 11-4, Wednesday night at the Arrowhead Pond, was expected to be the most difficult start-up project in Roller Hockey International this season.
After all, the Stallions were created to satisfy regional concerns of a national television contract that has since fallen through. They postponed their first day of training camp because of problems at their site, and with 13 rookies on the roster, they didn’t figure to win the league title anyway.
But Dallas (0-2) did give the Bullfrogs a chance to work out some kinks before the Bullfrogs’ game Friday at San Jose.
“We were much more patient tonight,” Bullfrog Coach Brad McCaughey said.
Kevin St. Jacques scored four goals and had two assists, Hugo Belanger scored two goals and assisted on three more and the Bullfrogs (1-1) played much better defense in their zone than they did in their 5-4 season-opening loss to San Jose.
The line of rookie defenseman Bob Raposa and veteran Sean Whyte and forwards Belanger and St. Jacques was particularly impressive with crisp passing and puck control. That had goalkeeper Rob Laurie, making his first start since helping the United States win the gold medal at last week’s World Cup, resting both arms on the crossbar at times while taking in the action on the other end of the floor in the Stallions’ zone.
About the only thing disappointing for the Bullfrogs was the announced crowd of 2,564, which team President Bob Elder blamed on the midweek date while school is still in session.
Whyte said he expects big things from his line this season.
“When you have two offensive-minded players like St. Jacques and Hugo it makes it so easy for Raposa and I to defend,” Whyte said. “And when Bob and I go up the floor, we know that St. Jacques and Hugo are going to cover for us. It’s a good combination.”
Dallas, meanwhile, has given up 21 goals in two games.
Notes
The Bullfrogs released goaltender Rick Plester, who was in the net for the loss to San Jose. They picked up RHI veteran Cory Cadden, who joined the league in 1994 and has a record of 9-17 with four losses by shootout. He’s expected to be the team’s No. 2 goaltender behind Rob Laurie. . . . Defenseman Darren Perkins said it’ll be at least another week before he will consider returning to play. He suffered a broken orbital bone in his eye socket while playing ice hockey for San Diego of the West Coast Hockey League. . . . Sunday’s game with the St. Louis Vipers starts at 6 p.m. and features two-for-one ticket prices on $12 and $16 seats.