Gervais a Success in His Return

ANAHEIM — All-time leading scorer Victor Gervais made a successful return to the Bullfrogs Saturday night, but it was Rick Judson, his teammate and long-time friend, who secured a 9-7 Roller Hockey International victory over the St. Louis Vipers.

Gervais, who missed five games because of knee surgery, had four assists for the Bullfrogs (4-2) in front of an announced crowd of 7,270 at the Pond.

The Vipers (2-2) pulled goaltender Ken Shepard and attacked with a man advantage in the final minute. Judson was the only Bullfrog in the lineup who did not have a point when he approached St. Louis winger Christian Skoryna halfway down the court.

Skoryna tried to get around Judson, a fifth-year in-line defender, but Judson poked the puck away, rolled a few steps and then fired the puck into the empty net with 12.7 seconds remaining.

The score was tied five times before the Bullfrogs took an 8-6 lead a minute into the fourth quarter on a goal by defender Doug McCarthy, his eighth of the season. But St. Louis answered five minutes later on Frank Cirone’s seventh goal of the year.

St. Louis, playing its first game since June 13, dominated the action after that, and it took several fine saves from all-star goalie Rob Laurie in the final two minutes to set the stage for Judson’s heroics.

“I just wanted to force [Skoryna] to make a play,” Judson said.

As for Gervais, the shaggy-haired captain strapped on in-line skates for the first time in more than a year. He got a rousing welcome from the crowd, and then the starting job. He picked up his first point less than two minutes into the game, assisting Todd Wetzel on a power play goal.

“I just missed the game so much,” said Gervais, who changed his mind about retiring 10 days ago. “I just wanted to get back to playing.”

Bullfrog Notes

To make room for Victor Gervais, the Bullfrogs released left winger Peter Vandermeer, who appeared in one game and did not score. . . . No. 2 goaltender David Goverde missed Saturday’s game to attend his grandmother’s funeral in Canada. He is expected to start Wednesday at the Pond against the Blades. . . . Bullfrog defender Tom Menicci saw his first action in four games after his upper lip was cut when he was hit by a puck in practice. . . . St. Louis hosts the Bullfrogs Thursday. The Bullfrogs play at San Jose Saturday and then host the Rhinos June 29 at the Pond.