Bullfrogs Roll to 15-8 Victory in Playoff Opener

ANAHEIM —  After physically battering Connecticut for a half, the Bullfrogs assaulted the nets, scoring six third-quarter goals to break open a close game and cruise to a 15-8 victory Tuesday night in the first round of the Roller Hockey International playoffs.

Joe Cook had four goals and two assists and Savo Mitrovic added three goals and three assists to lead the Bullfrogs before 5,493 at Anaheim Arena.

The Bullfrogs (14-0-1) advanced to the semifinals, where they will play the winner of the Toronto Planets-Blades game Aug. 31 at Anaheim Arena.

Victor Gervais scored two goals in an eight-goal run that gave the Bullfrogs a 12-4 lead seven seconds into the fourth quarter.

After a sluggish first half, Gervais’ slapshot goal with 20.9 seconds remaining in the second quarter gave Anaheim a 5-4 halftime lead.

“We were coming off our best game and then we played the worst half I’ve witnessed all season,” Bullfrog Coach Chris McSorley said.

The Bullfrogs defeated the Oakland Skates, 13-3, Sunday in the regular-season finale.

“Our players got a peek at the Coasters’ roster and didn’t see too many names that they recognized,” McSorley said. “They didn’t think Connecticut would give them a game.”

Although they had a poor first half, the Bullfrogs were sharp in the second half with Mitrovic, Brad McCaughey and Barry Potomski each scoring in the first five minutes of the third quarter for an 8-4 lead.

Bob McKillop scored off a McCaughey assist and Cook scored two goals in the third to give the Bullfrogs an 11-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“When Joe Cook comes to the bench you either want to pat him or punch him,” McSorley said. “And there wasn’t a lot of patting in the first half.”

The Bullfrogs’ offense, which outshot the Coasters, 28-15, in the first half, was kept under wraps by Connecticut goalie Neil Walsh, who made some outstanding saves to keep the Coasters close.

Brian Horan led the Coasters (7-6-2) scoring four goals.