Bullfrogs Look Ahead, Back After Victory
ANAHEIM — Oh, what the Bullfrogs wouldn’t give to have June 19 back.
That was the date that they refused to skate in Sacramento’s new outdoor arena because of safety concerns.
Roller Hockey International declared the game a forfeit in favor of the River Rats.
If Anaheim, 7-4 winners over Sacramento Friday night at the Pond, had won that game, it would be atop the Western Conference standings, only a victory away from a third consecutive Western title.
Instead, the Bullfrogs, who play at Sacramento tonight, moved to two points behind San Jose, and find themselves in the unusual position of rooting for the Blades, who play at San Jose tonight. If the Blades and Bullfrogs win, Anaheim will tie for the conference title, but it would get home advantage (more victories).
The outcome of the regular season was very much on the minds of the Bullfrogs Friday, yet they started slowly in front of an announced crowd of 11,916. They trailed 4-3 early in the third period.
“We were talking about that first game up there today,” said Bullfrog goaltender Rob Laurie, who is expected to start tonight. “Their players didn’t want to play it, either, and they came up to us and told us that.”
Hugo Belanger tied the score with 5 minutes 37 seconds left in the quarter and defenseman Tom Menicci slid the puck under the legs of Sacramento goaltender Sean Gauthier 90 seconds later for the go-ahead goal. Jim Ficenec, Brent and Todd Wetzel scored in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento, which is out of playoff contention, took only 28 shots.
Bullfrog Coach Brad McCaughey said he thought his team came out unprepared to play.
“We fell to their level,” he said.
But he also said he prefers not to think about that first meeting with Sacramento, despite making earlier appeals to Commissioner Ralph Backstrom to replay the contest.
“Who knows what would have happened that night,” he said. “I can’t agonize over that. We have to think about tonight. They smoked us pretty good up there last time, so we need to be ready. Our destiny is in our own hands and we want to get home-court advantage in the playoffs.”
Notes
Team president Stuart Silver said the Bullfrogs, if they finish first or second, might have to give up home advantage to get the playoff series in. That would happen if the team’s first-round opponent failed to secure a site Monday or Tuesday. The Pond is not available until Aug. 20, a day after the league requires first round playoff games to conclude, because of a water-sports show in the parking lot next weekend. . . . Former Bullfrog Glenn Stewart had a goal and two assists Thursday--his first points since being traded to New Jersey nine days ago--in a 11-5 victory over Buffalo.
