Commitment To Team Defense Has The Lumberjacks Knocking On First Place Door
February 1, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
LUMBERJACKS LINES: Having completed their best month thus far in this 2008-09 International Hockey League season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks are gaining some significant energy, enthusiasm and much-valued momentum as they move forward into the real rigors of the second-half of the long, grueling, marathon-like league schedule. Under the direction of third-year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Lumberjacks have discovered their defensive prowess, and, with that added dimension becoming so much more prominent to their game, have re-established themselves as title timber stock with still 35-games remaining on their schedule. Though residing in third place in the fiercely-competi-tive IHL league standings, the Lumberjacks, nevertheless, own the circuit's most supreme record at 41(24-13-4) totaling 52-points and a winning percentage of .634, the best in the league. With January being their best month thus far this season, through a record of 14(9-3-2) for 20 of 28-points, the 'Jacks have closed to within a scant single point of second place, reigning champion Fort Wayne 45(23-15-7) 53-points with 4-games in hand on the Komets. The Fort Wayners are 9(5-1-3) in their last 9-outings. In the meantime, Muskegon has climbed to within 5-points of first place Port Huron 45(27-15-3) 57-points, also with 4-games in hand on the Icehawks who are a gaudy 20(13-4-3) in their last 20-episodes. The Lumberjacks have advanced 2-points ahead of fourth place Kalamazoo 42(25-17-0) 50-points with 1-game in hand on the Wings who have dropped 2-in a row and are 11(4-7-0) in their last 11-games with all 4 of their victories coming in the extra time of either overtime or the OTSO. Muskegon is set to embark on its most strenuous stretch of the season with the arrival of the month of February as the home team will play 14-games in the span of 25-days with 9 of those on the road. It all begins this week with 4-games in 5-days, launched by a 2-game home-and-home series against vastly improved Bloomington 42(17-22-3) 37-points, having vacated last place in the standings. Muskegon will be in Illinois Wednesday with the Prairie Thunder reciprocating Friday night for a return clash here in Muskegon. For the second of 4-consecutive Saturday nights, the 'Jacks have a date with Flint as the Generals come to town this Saturday before the week is wrapped-up Sunday with an assignment at Fort Wayne against the Komets.
PRE-EMINENT PROMOS: The Lumberjacks organization is presenting more premium, pre-eminent promotional activities for the two games' homestand coming up this weekend at Walker Arena. This Friday night, when the 'Jacks host Bloomington, it will be "Scout Night." In addition, all adult tickets will be specially-priced for only $10 when secured in advance. Moreover, 16-oz. canned beer will be available for only $3. Saturday night against Flint, the Lumberjacks are teaming up with Mercy Health Partners for "Health Night."
SURGE TO SUMMIT: By recording a 3(2-1-0) mark the past week, the "Lumbertown" sextet has elevated its record to 41(24-13-4) 52-points and a winning percentage of a league best .634. Muskegon's 13-setbacks are the least in the league as are their 41-games played. "The Ramsay Rendition" enjoys games in hand on all other IHL member clubs at this juncture of the season. In their most recent action, the 'Jacks have won 2-in a row; last 2(2-0-0); last 14(9-3-2); last 16(10-4-2); last 20(12-5-3). Muskegon's longest unbeaten streak of the season has been 8-straight; 8(6-0-2) mirroring the initial 8-games of the new calendar year in January. The longest win streaks have been 4-in succession; 4(4-0-0) and a pair of 3-game win skeins 3(3-0-0). The monthly returns: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 11(4-6-1); January 14(9-3-2). One year ago, after 41-games, the Muskegon record stood at 41(21-18-2) 44-points. At this stage this season, Muskegon has 3-more wins, 5-less losses and 8-more points than last season.
HOME TEAM TOUGH: In their lone home appearance this past weekend, the 'Jacks dismissed Flint Saturday night, 4-2. In the process, they upgraded their home record to a league best 23(15-6-2) for 32-points. Their 15-home wins pace the league. In January, the home record for team Muskegon was 8(5-1-2). The 'Jacks are 9(6-1-2) in their last 9-home starts and 11(7-2-2) in the last 11-home endeavors. The longest home win streak of the season so far has been 7-consecutively; 7(7-0-0), accomplished through their initial 7-home performances of the season. The longest unsullied streak has been 8-straight; 8(6-0-2). With 15-home games remaining on their slate, the Lumberjacks need only 3-more wins to match last year's home win output of 18.
'ZOO ZEROING: The past week, with a renewed commitment to defensive responsibility, the Lumberjacks were most impressive in dividing a pair of foreign ice affairs. Certainly earning a better fate and destiny than the 2-1 setback they were saddled with Tuesday night in Port Huron, the Lumberjacks made it very emphatic Friday night in Kalama-zoo where they dominated their archrivals, 5-0. In so doing, the 'Jacks improved their alien ice log to 18(9-7-2) 20-points. Through the shutout triumph in Kalamazoo, the Lumberjacks have now extracted road victories from every city comprising the circuit as the Wings were the last ones to fall in that department. Recent road records; last 8(5-2-1); last 11(6-3-2). Longest win streak away is 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0). Muskegon has sustained only one set of back-to-back defeats in foreign ice warfare thus far this season.
DENYING DEFENSE: Forced to perform and persevere without their two top goal-scoring virtuosos in 22-goal cannoneers Luke Stauffacher and Chad Woollard, the Lumberjacks have turned to re-discovering defensive might and mettle. In 3-games the past week, they grudgingly surrendered a minuscule 4-GA for a team GAA of a thrifty and nifty 1.33. In the last 4-games, the GA is only 6 for a GAA of 1.34. Subtracting the heinous 10-3 defeat inflicted by Fort Wayne back on 1/24 here in Muskegon, the 'Jacks in the last 6-games, have allotted only 10-GA for a GAA of a miserly, microscopic, 1.54.
ELITE STREET STARS: Veteran center Todd Robinson 40(17-50-67) remains at the top of the class in IHL league-wide point-scoring. Luke Stauffacher 36(22-20-42) is 11th and Chad Woollard 33(22-15-37) 17th. Stauffacher (22), Woollard (22) share 4th place distinction in goal-production while Robinson's 50-assists are foremost through the circuit. Woollard tops the loop in PPG with 12; Robinson's 18-PP/Assists rank 2nd best. "T. Rob's" 4-GWG tie him for #2 league-wide; Robinson and Frank Littlejohn are tied for the league-leadership in SHG with 2. Stauffacher is #1 in the IHL in shooting percentage at 22/100; .220 with Robin Bouchard ranked 3rd at 10/46; .217. Bouchard ranks 4th in the OTSO at 2/3; .667. Steven Later (151) is 3rd and Frank Littlejohn (142) is 4th in PIM with Littlejohn's 31-minors listing him tied for 4th most. In Rookie Scoring, Maxime Lincourt 38(13-16-29) is 4th, Chad Costello 40(10-17-27) is 6th and Alec Kirschner 40(3-19-22) is 7th. Lincourt's 13-goals tie him for 2nd most while Kirschner's 19-assists rank rookie 3rd and Costello's 17-helpers list him tied for #4. Lincourt, Costello and Adam Bartholomay rank 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively in shooting percentage with Lincourt 13/84; .155; Costello 10/66; .152; Bartholomay 6/41; .146. Among league defensemen, Darryl McArthur 41(7-24-31) is 3rd; Matt Gens 39(6-20-26) is 5th; Adam Bartholomay 31(6-11-17) is 13th. McArthur (4) is tied for 3rd in PPG and tied for 2nd in PP/Assists (12). McArthur's 24-total assists rank as 3rd best. The top 3 defensemen in PIM belong to Muskegon; 1-Later (151); 2-Alex Lamontagne (106); 3- Sam Miller (100). Later (11), Miller (10) rank 1-2 in majors with Bartholomay 6/41; .146 and Dan Boeser 3/21; .143, 2nd and 3rd in shooting percentage. In the seal of good goalkeeping department, Clayton Pool ranks 3rd in the IHL with a shrinking GAA of 2.92 while he leads the league in win percentage 15(10-2-3) .767 and SPCT at .921. His 10-wins are league 5th most.
GUN-SLING KING COLOSSUS: Right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard achieved another stellar week, and, for that matter, a strong and stellar first month back with the home town team. The 15-year pro saw service in his team's last 12-games of January, collecting 15-points, including a club-high 10-goals. As the 'Jacks 2nd top scorer for the month, he fashioned 8-PP/Points on 4-PPG and 4-PP/Assists while topping the team in SOG with 46 and in the OTSO at 2/3 for .667. His January consisted of three 2-goal games and 5-multiple point outings as he registered points in 9 of those 12-games, including a 5-game point streak; 5(4-4-8). He also found time to notch Muskegon career PPG #200. For the past week, the two-time league scoring titlist cannonaded 3-goals, 4-points in the Lumberjacks 2-game weekend win-ning sweep, "booming" the GWG amongst his 2-goals and 3-points in Saturday night's 4-2 trumping of Flint, earning the game's #2 Star. In his last 9-games; 9(10-2-12). Bouchard is the Lumberjacks nomination for both Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week and Player of the Month.
IN THE ZERO ZONE: Goaltender Clayton Pool is enjoying his best hours of the season as the season crosses into February. The 5-year Muskegon backbone backstop achieved an utterly brilliant month of January as he appeared in all 14-games, including 13-starts, posting a stingy, sterling 2.75 GAA, .922 SPCT and 13(9-2-2) record. Having actually seen service in his team's last 16-straight games with 14-starts, the former U. of Alberta standout culminated the month in grand style and grand fashion. The past 2-game weekend, he was named the game's #1 Star for both games and for the overall 3-game week, compiled a brilliant shutout streak of 168:55, starting at 6:59 of the first period last Tuesday night in Port Huron and finally concluding at the 15:54 mark of the third period on home ice Saturday night against Flint. In between, performing in his 200th Muskegon career game Friday night at Kalamazoo, he became the all-time career shutout king in Muskegon franchise history with shutout #9 in a 5-0 domination of the archrival Wings. In his last 4-starts, Pool has essayed a 4(3-1-0) mark with a frugal 1.46 GAA and .950 SPCT. Pool is the Lumberjacks nomination for the Southern Sports Supply Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.
SMART ALEC: Always seeming to have lightning coming out of his skate blades, speedy left wing Alec Kirschner appears to be making much and many progressive strides in his rookie season of pro development. The past month, the erstwhile UConn star repeatedly showed that he belonged in the pro's fraternity of hockey playing pucksters. Seeing action in all 14-January games, he amassed 10-total points on 1-goal, 9-assists with 26-SOG. His +4 rating equaled the team leadership as he started and finished the demanding month's schedule with 2-points' performances. Registering points in 9 of 14-games, Kirschner was 6th in team scoring, generating 6-points in the last 7-games on 7(1-5-6) with a +4 rating. For the past week, he was 3(1-2-3) with 8-SOG and an excellent +3 rating. Hailed the #3 Star in Saturday night's 4-2 dousing of Flint, Kirschner is the Lumberjacks nomination for both Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Month and Rookie of the Week.
FRANK "THE TANK" TONIC: Crowd-pleasing right wing Frank Littlejohn made the most of the turning of the calendar to the new year of 2009. Tied for third in team scoring for the month, he produced 11-points in 14-games on 7-goals, 4-assists with 53-PIM and +3 rating. His month's output included 4-PPG, 1-GWG and 39-SOG. His 7-snipes were runner-up for the club for the month. His +3 rating ranked third best for Muskegon.
MAIN MAN "MAC": Veteran defenseman Darryl McArthur continues to be an absolute paragon of consistency and congruity this season. In the 'Jacks 2-game weekend sweep, he not only anchored a solid, stable defense which permitted parsimony to the tune of only 2-GA-only 4-GA for the entire 3-game week, but also contributed masterfully and mightily inside the opponents' blue line as well. For the 2-games, he was 2(1-2-3) with 1-PPG and 1-PP/Assist. He attained an outstanding +3 rating and generated 6-SOG. For January he was 14(3-5-8) with all 3-goals and 7 of his 8-points stemming from the power play.
BILLY BETTER BEST: Center Billy Collins found more verve, energy and vitality to his game in the opening month 2009. The Wayne State U. product registered 6-points in 14-games on 3-goals, 3-assists, delivering 1-GWG and 2-FG. His +4 rating matched the best for the Lumberjacks for January. His key, touch-in-the-clutch FG Friday night in his club's 5-0 dispatching of the Wings in Kalamazoo also proved to be the GWG.
STEVEN STIFFENS: Rugged, rock-ribbed, ruffian defenseman Steven Later seems to have found his stride in the nick of time in helping his squadron for a strong second half surge. The ECHL refugee, the past weekend, was an intimidating, tormenting force and factor in the Lumberjacks vastly-improved defensive play. In the two impressive victories, Later achieved an excellent +3 rating while accumulating 21-PIM.
UNEVEN STRENGTH STRONG: The Lumberjacks special teams seem to reaching the zenith zone of their own through their recent play. The power play has retained its top-rated perch in the IHL at 41-184 for a rating of 22.3%. Despite presented 26-fewer man advantages than all other member clubs, Muskegon, nevertheless, has scored the third most PPG in the league. The past 2-game weekend, they were 4-9 for 44.5% proficiency rating. The 'Jacks are actually 18 for the last 49; 36.7% and 23 for the last 60; 38.3% conversion rating. Not to be overridden is the penalty-killing cast, which has displayed enormous improvement. In fact, Muskegon has defused the last 14-consecutive enemy power plays; 100%. Beyond that, there's more. The Lumberjacks are 28 for the last 32; 87.5% and 43 for the last 49; 87.8% efficiency rating.
NUMEROLOGY ANTHOLOGY: Clayton Pool has become only the second goalkeeper in franchise annals to reach the 200-games' plateau; only Sylvain Daigle has played more games in goal. Robin Bouchard is now at 613 career goals, 6th on the all-time minor pro hockey list. Billy Collins 310(91-96-187) is 9-goals from 100, 4-assists from 100 and 13-points from 200 in his Muskegon pro career. Defenseman Matt Gens (88) is 12-assists away from pro career 100. Steven Later (683) is 17-PIM from career 700. Frank Littlejohn (193) is 7-assists away from career 200. Todd Robinson (881) is 19-points from pro career 900.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Through his first 40-games this season, Todd Robinson has already authored 20-multiple point games. The Lumberjacks are a perfect 14(14-0-0) when entering the third period with the lead. Muskegon's record when scoring the game's FG is 27(20-4-3). The 'Jacks best period on the road is the third period, outscoring the opposition, 27-17. Though leading the IHL in PIM with a per game average of 24.0, the 'Jacks have the least number of minors in the league with 237. However, they do lead the league in game misconducts with 13 and are second in the league in both 10-minute misconducts (13) and majors with 50.
THE WEEK'S WRAP: Confronting 3-games for the week with the first two away, the 'Jacks responded with a strong and stellar showing and a 3(2-1-0) mark. Tuesday night in Port Huron, perhaps earning a far better fate and destiny, the 'Jacks were nipped by the league-leaders, 2-1. Muskegon dominated the proceedings, outshooting the home team, 40-25; 16-5 in the second period, but were unable to spirit away any points in the standings. Maxime Lincourt accounted for the club's sole goal; Clayton Pool was blade sharp with 23-saves. Friday night at Kalamazoo, Muskegon sustained its outstanding performance from the previous game as it extinguished the Wings, 5-0. Pool was superb with 33-saves while Billy Collins (FG/GWG), Adam Bartholomay (1-1-2)UG, Robin Bouchard, Matt Gens (PPG) and Darryl McArthur (PPG) all connected. Saturday night, it was even more of the same all-around effort and defensive excellence as the 'Jacks disposed of Flint, 4-2. Bouchard ripped a pair "bazooka blasts," (PPG/GWG) and assisted once with Alec Kirschner (1-1-2)FG and Frank Littlejohn (PPG) also delivering the mail. McArthur had 2-assists. Pool's bid for a second straight shutout was sabotaged at 15:54 of the third period.
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
Muskegon leads the season series after 9-sessions staged at 9(6-3-0), outscoring the Prairie Thunder 39-33. In Bloomington, the 'Jacks are 5(3-2-0), bowing in their last sojourn there back on January 23rd, 2-1. That setback halted a Lumberjacks 4-game win streak over the Illinois entry and a 2-game win skein at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The Lumberjacks are 4(3-1-0) on home ice this season against the Thunder who are playing their best hockey of the year as they enter the week, riding the crest of a 7-game unbeaten streak; 7(5-0-2), having vacated 6th place.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7TH FLINT AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
The second of 4-consecutive Saturday night meetings for the 'Jacks and the Generals with Muskegon leading the series, 6(4-1-1). Including this one, there are still 10-more meetings remaining for the two long-time archenemies.
At home, the 'Jacks are 4(3-1-0) against Flint.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FORT WAYNE 5:00 PM
For the tenth time the two teams tussle and for the fifth time in Indiana where the 'Jacks have excelled thus far this season as their 4(3-1-0) record would attest. In fact, Muskegon actually has a better record abroad as compared to at home against the Komets who are 5(3-2-0) in Muskegon. The home team has only won 3 of the first 9-clashes this season.
THE 'JACKS ON RADIO ON "94 K-ROCK": For the second consecutive year, all of the electrifying action of Muskegon Lumberjacks IHL pro hockey, every game, play-by-play, home and away, all the way, can be found on WWKR-FM 94.1, "West Michigan's 94 K-Rock." The "Voice of the Lumberjacks," Terry Ficorelli, has the call radio ice-side with the 'Jacks.
THE MONDAY NIGHT "JACKS JAM" ON "94 K-ROCK": The Monday night "Jacks Jam" is on the radio every Monday night for two full hours, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, live from Cuti's Sports Bar and Grill and on WWKR-FM 94.1, "West Michigan's 94 K-Rock." Terry Ficorelli will host special Lumberjacks guests in front of a live studio audience every week.
THE LUMBERJACKS DAILY REPORT ON "94 K-ROCK": All 'Jacks fans can stay up to date everyday even when there is not a game. Get your daily 'Jacks fix from "Fic." "The Lumberjacks Hockey Update" is Monday through Friday at 5:20 pm on WWKR-FM 94.1, "West Michigan's 94 K-Rock."
THE LUMBERJACKS TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all Lumberjacks home games are on sale at the Walker Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Centers or by phone at (231) 726-2400. VISA / MASTERCARD are accepted. For great group rates and birthday parties with the Lumberjacks, phone the Lumberjacks office at (231) 726-3879. Special youth prices for all home games. All area youth 17 and under can purchase their seats for only $5.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 1, 2009
- Commitment To Team Defense Has The Lumberjacks Knocking On First Place Door - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Lumberjacks Weekly Notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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