Players Still Face Difficult Decision

The United States and Canada, as expected, posted decisive victories in opening-round games at the International Ice Hockey Federation In-Line World Championship Monday at Disney ICE.

But of more interest were the plans of 12 tournament participants, including three Americans, for Wednesday’s Major League Roller Hockey game between the Bullfrogs and Virginia.

The issue has simmered since late June when Bullfrog Coach Todd Gordon, in an apparent split with assistant coach Richard Ropchan, said players would have to choose between the Bullfrogs or their national teams during the week-long World Championship. Eight of the 12 in question are Bullfrogs.

The front-running Bullfrogs (17-0) play the Vultures (9-3) at the Arrowhead Pond at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the same time the Bullfrogs’ John Hanson, Bill Lund and MLRH’s top goaltender, Rob Laurie, intend to suit up for the U.S. against Russia. Canadians Sean Whyte, Mark Woolf, Victor Gervais, Kevin St. Jacques and Bullfrog team captain Darren Perkins intend to play against Switzerland at 4:30 p.m. but think they can make the faceoff with Virginia. Vultures Hugo Belanger, Brian Goudie, Gary Gulash and Kevin Kerr of Canada also feel they can play in both.

Bullfrog President and General Manager Stuart Silver, who initially backed Gordon, said he sought to have the U.S.-Russia game switched to an earlier start. But Ken Yaffe of the National Hockey League, co-sponsor of the event, vetoed that idea. Silver said Monday he is ready to compromise, but Gordon was unavailable for comment.

Ropchan, the former Canadian National Team coach, said he signed most of the current Bullfrogs with the understanding that they could play for their respective countries and said Gordon’s stand was “a miscommunication” with Bullfrog management.

But United States Coach Roy Sommer blasted the MLRH for not accommodating the World Championships schedule and said the Bullfrogs’ front office was being “un-American.” He pointed out that the U.S. team, defending gold medalists, fielded only eight players and were stunned by Austria, 4-3, in an exhibition game Sunday, while the Bullfrogs were in Maryland playing the Washington Power. Perkins said he hopes cooler heads prevail when Gordon returns from the East Coast.

“I would love to see them play both,” Perkins said of his American-born teammates. “It’s definitely exciting to play for your country. It doesn’t happen every day. They shut down the NHL for three weeks during the Olympics, why not work something out for this?”

United States 18, Italy 0--The U.S. recorded the second shutout in tournament history in front of an announced crowd of 857. Hanson and Tony Szabo each scored four times and Lund had three goals. The Italians were late replacements for the Czech Republic.

Canada 14, Austria 4--The two-time silver medalists made it look easy, outscoring the Austrians, 9-2, in the second half. Woolf (three goals) and St. Jacques (two goals, two assists) led Canada.

Germany 7, Switzerland 7--Germany outshot the Swiss, 44-28, but had to rely on a goal from Udo Schmid with 3 minutes 49 seconds left in the game to salvage a draw. German forward Oliver Kasper scored three goals.

Finland 13, Russia 2--Aki Tuominen had three goals for Finland.