Sports stats



First-place Fury claim four-point lead

March 21, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Remaining molten-lava hot, the high-tech, high-octane Muskegon Fury completed another supreme week as the defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League garnering 3-victories in 4-starts; 4(3-1-0) by sweeping a pair of encounters abroad and dividing a pair of offerings on home ice. In the process, second-year head coach Todd Nelson's disciples catapulted to the top spot and sole control of the overall UHL league-leadership for the regular season Tarry Cup crown while fortifying their grip atop their own Central Division standings. Muskegon 69(45-16-8)98-points, has gained a 4-points advantage over Eastern-Division front-running Adirondack 70(43-19-8)94-points, for the league-leadership with still having one game in hand on the Frostbite who recently completed a somewhat unfounded 3-games in 3-days road sojourn the past weekend with 3-consecutive defeats; one of those inflicted by the first-place Fury. Meanwhile, in their own divisional alignment, the men of infamous Fury cast have re-captured an 8-point advantage over 2nd place Kalamazoo 70(42-22-6)90-points, with 2-games in hand on the Wings. The Kalamazooans are prospering, again, at this hour of the campaign, having won 3-in succession overall, and at the same time, riding the crest of a 6-game win streak on the road where they are 15(13-2-0) in the last 15-away. The Wings 22-road victories are foremost in the UHL. As for the Fury, they are set to embark on the final three weeks of the regular season 80-games' schedule facing 11-more contests of which 7 still remain road-bound and 4-more on the homestead range. The overall UHL league standings read as follows: 1- MUSKEGON 98; 2- Adirondack 94; 3- Rockford 93; 4- Fort Wayne 91; 5- Kalamazoo 90; 6- Danbury 87; 7- Missouri 80. It has evolved into a two-teams tussle for the coveted eighth and final playoff berth with Quad City (74) currently holding a 3-points' lead over Flint (71). In this new week, the boys from the Fury club continue the longest road excursion of this season, playing game 2 of the 7-game mission Wednesday night in Glens Falls, NY and the rematch of the top two teams presently in the league; the Fury and Adirondack..Friday and Saturday nights, the Fury will rendezvous at Richmond for a 2-game set against the RiverDogs before completing the physically-demanding week with an Easter Sunday engagement at Danbury. This will mark Muskegon's first-ever appearance in Connecticut against the fledgling Trashers.

MONEY-TWENTY: By fashioning another supreme week through a 4(3-1-0) record, the Fury have elevated their overall season mark to a superlative 69(45-16-8) for 98-points. At this moment of the season, the "Furious Ones" have sustained a scant single setback in their last 20-games at 20(16-1-3), accruing 35 of a possible 40-points. Muskegon did have its league-best 17-games undefeated streak; 17(14-0-3) halted Friday night, when at home, they bowed to Kalamazoo, 3-2. It marked Muskegon's first setback in exactly 6-weeks since February 4th. The Fury have outscored the opposition during this torrid 20-games' segment, 77-41. Earlier this season, the Fury composed two 10-game unbeaten streaks with both being 10(9-0-1). In the last 25-games, the Fury are 25(19-3-3); last 38(28-6-4); last 45(32-8-5). The Fury's longest win streaks of the season have been 9-in a row, (second longest in the UHL this season); three 5-game win streaks; two 4-game win skeins and two 3-game winning spans. The longest losing spell of the current campaign has been 3-in a row which has been incurred on two different occasions. Muskegon's record in the first-half of the season was 40(25-10-5)55. Thus far in the second-half, the record is 29(20-6-3)43-points. Comparing the records from one year ago, the Fury were 69(43-17-9)95-points. Presently, Muskegon is 2-wins and 3-points superior to last year's clip.

HOME FATE GREAT: With still 4-more home dates remaining on their 40-games regular season slate, the Fury have already tied the franchise record for most home wins in a single season with 28. Twice previously, the "Muskegonites" have reached the record mark; the first time in the 1996-97 season, and again, in the 1998-99 campaign, the season of Colonial Cup I. For this season, they boast the UHL's foremost home composite at 36(28-5-3) with the 28-victories also pacing the loop and being 3-more than the club earned all of last year. The scant 5-home setbacks represent the least in the league. "Todd's Team" did have a UHL season-best 10-game home win skein scotched and scuttled in a 3-2 Friday night undoing imposed by Kalamazoo. The Fury are currently 12(11-1-0) in their last dozen dates and 25(20-3-2) in the last 25-dates at Walker Arena. When including the last 9-home games of late last season, the Fury mark is a masterfully magical 45(37-5-3) in the last 45-home performances. In addition to the recently-capped 10-game win streak at home, the Fury have also compiled two 4-game win streaks as well as unblemished skeins of 9(7-0-2) and 7(6-0-1).

ROCK ‘N' ROLL ON ROAD: The past week, the Fury added to their circuit supremacy abroad by engineering a pair of triumphs in hostile territory. In the process, they sprouted their latest win streak away from home bay to 3-in a row and extended their overall unbeaten streak when hitting the UHL open highways to a season's best 8-consecutively at 8(5-0-3). The last taste of defeat to be digested when traveling was 7-weeks ago, back on February 2nd when they bowed in Rockford, 3-1. Overall for the season, they have enriched their record to 33(17-11-5). The Fury-men are an impressive 18(12-3-3) in their 18-treks into foreign land.The longest road win streak has been 6-in a row while they are currently on their second 3-game victory string. The longest losing spans have been 4-in a row and 3-consecutively.

DIVISION DISSERTATION: The first-place Fury have been stellar in their divisional dealings thus far this season. In their own Central Division, they have assembled an extraordinary record of 29(23-4-2), registering 48 of a possible 58-points. They are a superb 14(13-1-0) at home and a sparkling 15(10-3-2) on the road. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are currently riding the wave of an 8-game win streak; 8(8-0-0) as they have elevated their overall mark in this category to 9(8-1-0). Against the Western Division, the "Knights of Nelson" have manifested the most marked improvement. They are now unbeaten in the last 8-games; 8(7-0-1). In the process, the Fury have upgraded their mark at 31(14-11-6); at home: 16(10-3-3); on the road: 15(4-8-3). The Central Division: Kalamazoo 9(7-1-1)32-21; home: 4(3-1-0)14-9; road: 5(4-0-1)18-11; Motor City 6(6-0-0)29-11; home: 3(3-0-0)16-5; road: 3(3-0-0)13-6; Flint 9(7-2-0)24-23; home: 4(4-0-0)9-5; road: 5(3-2-0)15-18; Port Huron 5(3-1-1)18-13; home: 3(3-0-0)14-6; road: 2(0-1-1)4-7. Western Division: Quad City 7(5-2-0)24-14; home: 4(4-0-0)18-7; road: 3(1-2-0)6-7; Missouri 6(3-1-2)20-17; home: 3(2-0-1)13-9; road: 3(1-1-1)7-8; Kansas City 7(3-2-2)23-20; home: 3(2-1-0)12-7; road: 4(1-1-2)11-13; Rockford 6(3-3-0)18-15; home: 2(2-0-0)8-3; road: 4(1-3-0)10-12; Fort Wayne: 5(0-3-2); home: 4(0-2-2); road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. Eastern Division: Richmond 3(3-0-0)14-6; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Elmira 2(2-0-0)14-1; home: 1(1-0-0)9-1; road: 1(1-0-0)5-0; Adirondack 3(2-1-0)8-5; home: 2(1-1-0)6-4; road: 1(1-0-0)2-1; Danbury 1(1-0-0)4-0; home: 1(1-0-0)4-0.

THE GF / GA WAY: In the past 4(3-1-0) week, the Fury outscored the opposition, 15-8. In the last 20-games with their 20(16-1-3) mark, Muskegon has out-goaled the adversaries, 77-41 for a GFA of 3.85 and a GAA of 2.05. At home, in posting a strong 12(11-1-0) mark through their last dozen dates, the Fury have outscored the invading visiting parties, 51-21 for a GFA of 4.25 and a GAA of a miserly manner-like 1.75. For the season at home, the Fury have outscored the opposition, 141-75. For the season, overall, the Fury rank #3 in the league offensively, accumu-lating 239-GF in 69-games for a GFA of 3.46. Defensively, Muskegon continues to be ranked #1, yielding 165-GA in 69-games for a GAA of 2.39. When they permit 3-GA or less in a game this season, the Fury record has been an outstanding 58(42-10-6). In 58 of 69-games, the Fury have allowed 3-GA or less.

ASCENSION DIMENSION: The UHL's defending scoring titlist, Robin Bouchard 63(35-46-81) ranks tied for 6th in the UHL scoring race with his line-mate Brant Blackned 64(29-52-81). Jeff Nelson 69(21-59-80) is 9th. With his 35-goals, Bouchard is ranked 5th in the league while Nelson's 59-assists are 4th most. Bouchard's 17-PPG tie him for the league-lead. In addition, Bouchard's 42-PP/Points lead the league with Blackned's 37 ranking him 4th. With 25-PP/Assists, Bouchard ranks 4th with Nelson and Blackned tied for 5th with 24-each. Nelson is 2nd in the UHL in GWG with 7. Scott Hollis and Blackned are right behind with 6-GWG. Rustyn Dolyny's 4-SHG rank 5th in the loop while B.J. Gaustad is 3rd in goal-scoring marksmanship at 25/117 for a rating of .214. Dave Van Drunen is now 4th in the UHL with a stellar +30 rating. In the UHL rookie scoring parade, Billy Collins 56(15-10-25) ranks 18th and Bil Zalba 62(10-15-25) ranks 19th. Nolan Brown is 5th among rookies with a +16 rating. Among UHL Defensemen, Jordon Flodell is 3rd in majors with 11. In the league goaltending department, rookie prize Clayton Pool is 3rd with a GAA of 2.32 while boasting the league's best winning record of 26(17-4-5) for a mark of .750. Sylvain Daigle leads the league in SPCT at .937.

GOAL-GLORY STORY: It was both an eventful and historical week of action for right wing Scott Hollis. In 4-games, he was 4(3-1-4), collecting goals in each of the last 3-games. He fired 17-SOG and attained a +3 rating. In Friday night's game against Kalamazoo, "Hot-Shot-Scott" connected on the key GTG as the Fury eradicated an early 2-0 shortfall. It was the 12-year veteran's 300th pro career goal. After delivering the tie-breaking and ultimate GWG the following night in the Fury's electrifying 4-1 come back home victory over Adirondack, Hollis struck with Fury career goal #100, the game's key, clutch FG in the 5-2 triumph over the Mechanics. He becomes only the 10th player in Fury annals to attain that prestigious plateau. Currently on a 3-games' goal-scoring streak, Hollis is actually 12(10-6-16) in the last 12-games His 6-GWG tie him for second most on the Fury club. Hollis is the Fury's nomination this week for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THIEF-THRIVE: The Fury's goal-gate guardian Sylvain Daigle has never been better for the home town team. The past week the "barricade Daigle" registered 3-more victories in as many starts in goal to advance his club record goalkeeping victory streak to an amazing 13-in succession; 13(13-0-0). For the past week, he allowed only 5-goals for a GAA of a frugal 1.67 with a .950 SPCT. Named the #3 Star in Sunday's emphatic conquest of Motor City, Daigle has raised his overall season record to a masterful 20(16-4-0) with a microscopic 1.88 GAA. During his personal 13-game win streak, he has only allowed 20-GA for a GAA of 1.54 and a SPCT of .951. Once again, this week, Daigle is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

SMOOTH-MOVE MASTER: Sleek, silk, satin center Jeff Nelson has been a superb blend of skill, will and all-around adept and adroit play for the kingpins. In 4-games, the past week, he was 4(2-3-5) with 14-SOG and a sound and solid +4 rating. He capped his strong week with a 3-points' masterpiece Sunday in Fraser where he uncorked the tie-breaking and ultimate GWG on a late second period power play before adding an UG to cement the success in the Motor City. It was Nelson's 4th multiple goal game of the season. In his last 6-games, he is 6(4-5-9).His +21 rating ties him with Brant Blackned for 3rd best on the Fury club.

"THE NOSE" KNOWS: Anxious to return to the lineup after missing two games earlier in the week due to nose surgery, the "human freight train" Jason Lawmaster certainly made up for lost time. In Saturday's stirring come back 4-1 verdict over Adirondack, "the Lawman" was both tormenting and intimidating. In that contest, he essayed 1-goal and 1-assist. He followed that with 2-more helpers in the victory at Motor City. In just 2-games, he was 2(1-3-4) with a +3 rating and 9-SOG. In his last 5-games; 5(3-7-10).

THE BIG "EMM": Center Colin Embley is paying and playing dividends for the Fury following his acquisition earlier in the season from Flint. In 4-games the past week, the former U. of Calgary star and WCHL Rookie of the Year fashioned 4-points on 2-goals, 2-assists with 4-SOG and a +2 rating. In Wednesday's win at Quad City, he stoked the IG late in the 2nd period to curtail a Mallards rally after the Fury 3-0 first period lead had diminished dangerously to 3-2. Saturday night, he was at the focal point, being both instrumental and integral in the 4-goal, unanswered resurgence that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Adirondack. Embley torched the torrent with the GTG that seemed to open the flood gates for the victors. In his last 5-games; 5(4-3-7).

BLACKNED DRAGNET: Ten-year pro Brant Blackned had lightning coming out of his skates and lightning bolt shots coming out of his stick in the 3-games in which he saw service. Firing the GWG in the Wednesday night 4-2 decision over the Mallards in Quad City, "the Big Bear" emerged as the real catalyst Sunday, also on the road in Motor City in the 5-2 success there. In the latter one, he sniped a pair of strikes with the first one forging a 2-2 tie and igniting a Fury come back counterattack crescendo before delivering the all-important IG to record his 5th multiple goal game of the year. In his last 5-games, Blackned is 5(7-2-9); the last 9(7-7-14).

PLUS ME MANTRA: The past week was a particular polished, paramount, premium plus week for three Fury fearsome fixtures. In 4-games, the past week, defenseman Tyler Palmer was utterly brilliant by achieving a +9 week. He was closely followed by his defensive partner Dave Van Drunen who responded with +8. Center / Left Wing B.J.Gaustad earned a +6 rating in those 4-outings and also registered his 2nd SHG of the season.

LINEUP LITANY: The Fury continue to operate one player under the standard 18-man playing limit. Captain Rustyn Dolyny (9), defenseman Nolan Brown (6) remain on the shelf with a sundry of ailments and maladies while another defenseman, Jon Insana has, once again, been summoned to Grand Rapids (AHL). Making his pro debut the past weekend was Michigan Tech standout defenseman Clay Wilson. Wilson was 3(0-1-1) for the weekend with a +1 rating and 4-SOG. In another move, the Fury traded left wing David Ambler to Motor City for a draft pick.

BREAKTHROUGH DUE: The Fury #1 ranked power play could not have picked a more apropos time to take and shake the slumber from its collective lumber. Undergoing an uncharacteristically destitute 0-14 funk, the extra man band broke through Sunday when Jeff Nelson notched the TBG/GWG on a power play with only 1:07 remaining in the middle stanza to sever a 2-2 tie and vault the Fury into the victory circle with a 5-2 triumph over Motor City. For the season, the Fury power play is 71-309 for a proficiency rating of 23.0%. Their 71-PPG also lead the league. The penalty-killing team continues to be magnificent. It is 320-360 for an efficiency rating an outstanding 88.9%. Muskegon has defused 48 of the last 53 and 100 of the last 112 enemy man advantages. The Fury have produced 8-SHG while surrendering 7-SHGA.

NAME IN FURY FAME: With 2-goals on Sunday in Motor City, Brant Blackned has become the Fury's 2nd all-time career goal-scoring marksman with 136-goals. Only Robin Bouchard has scored more goals in Muskegon history. Goaltender Sylvain Daigle's win in Motor City Sunday was the 150th of his illustrious Fury career, ranking him #1 in Fury history and #3 in UHL history. Todd Robinson has climbed from 7th to 5th on the Fury's all-time games played list with 288. Robin Bouchard (424) is just one goal behind still-active Jim Duhart for #2 all-time in the UHL record book.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury home record on Saturday nights this season stands at 15(13-1-1). Including the pre-season, the Fury are a perfect 8(8-0-0) this year against expansionist Motor City. With the world famous Stanley Cup in their house and playing for the overall Tarry Cup league-leadership in the UHL on Saturday night against Adirondack, the Fury attracted their first sellout, a standing room only crowd of 5,021. The Fury remain undefeated when they score 4 or more at 35(34-0-1). They are 45(41-2-2) when scoring 3-GF or more this year. With 11-games remaining in the regular season, the Fury are only 2-wins away from last year's total of 47-victories which ranked 3rd all-time in the Fury record book.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: With an ambitious agenda consisting of 4-games in 5-days, including two trips abroad, the Fury fashioned a 4(3-1-0) mark. Wednesday night in Moline, IL, the Fury struck for 3-unanswered opening period goals and defeated the Mallards, 4-2. Colin Embley (1-1-2)IG, Jon Insana (FG), B.J. Gaustad and Brant Blackned (GWG) connected for the victors with Dave Van Drunen assisting twice. Sylvain Daigle gained the victory with 34-saves. Returning home Friday night, the Fury sustained their first setback in exactly 6-weeks, falling to Kalamazoo, 3-2. Coach Nelson's squad did mount a comeback, scoring 2-second period goals to equalize it before the Wings eventually prevailed. Nigel Hawryliw and Scott Hollis (GWG) scored for the Fury. Clayton Pool made 14-saves as the Fury outshot the Wings, 39-17. Saturday night, the Fury promptly returned to their winning ways with an electrifying 4-1 come- from- behind triumph over Adirondack. In this one, Muskegon fused a 4-goal unanswered third period to erase a 1-0 deficit. Hollis (1-1-2)TBG/GWG, Jason Lawmaster (1-1-2)IG, Gaustad (SHG) and Embley (GTG) were the sharpshooters with Daigle repelling 22-shots. Back on the road Sunday in Fraser, the Fury stoked the game's last 4-goals spanning the latter 2-periods to expunge a 2-1 deficit and prevail over Motor City, 5-2. Jeff Nelson (2-1-3)TBG/PPG/GWG, Brant Blackned (2-0-2)GTG/IG also delivered with Hollis producing the game's FG. Both Todd Robinson and Lawmaster assisted twice. Daigle was scintillating with 39-saves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23RD THE FURY AT ADIRONDACK 7:00 PM

The fourth and final session to be staged and the second and last one in Glens Falls, NY where the Fury prevailed in their lone previous appearance, back on January 7th, 2-1. Muskegon has captured the latter two clashes. The Frostbite are returning home after sustaining three straight setbacks in as many days on a weekend road trip. However, at home, they have been profitable with a mark of 35(23-6-6), second best in the league behind the Fury. Coach Marc Potvin's contingent is currently riding the rapids of an 11-game home-ice unbeaten streak; 11(9-0-2).

FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH THE FURY AT RICHMOND 7:30 PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH THE FURY AT RICHMOND 7:30 PM

The fourth and fifth collisions of the campaign between these two fractious foes and the second and third ones in Virginia. The Fury lead the series, 3(3-0-0). In their lone previous appearance in Richmond, they ambushed the RiverDogs, 5-3. Since then, the next two meetings were in Muskegon with the Fury capturing both, including a 5-2 decision on March 11th.

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH THE FURY AT DANBURY 5:30 PM

The Fury will spend Easter Sunday making their first-ever trip to Connecticut where they will be hosted by the Danbury Trashers. In the only prior meeting, back on February 11th, the Fury subdued the expansion entry, 4-0 behind a Sylvain Daigle shutout in Muskegon.

• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...

International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 21, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Muskegon Lumberjacks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central