First-place Fury sweep three games in three days

February 27, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: It was a highly-successful three games in three days weekend for the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury. Under the guidance of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Central Division men of the Fury fashioned a sweet 3-games' sweep in a most impressive manner. In conquering division rival Motor City and Western Division foes Fort Wayne and league-leading Rockford on consecutive days, Muskegon elevated its overall season record to a league-best 53(38-8-7) totaling 83-points and a win percentage of a UHL premiere .783. In the process, the Fury have irrigated their grip on first-place atop the Michigan-only Central Division standings by 3-points over second-place Kalamazoo 55(37-12-6) 80-points, still maintaining 2-games in hand on the torrid Wings who are 9(7-1-1) in their last 9-games and 13(10-2-1) through their past 13-assignments. Certainly not to be overshadowed in this recent Fury surge is the matter of the overall Tarry Cup regular season league leadership. On the strength of their 3-1 Sunday triumph over molten-lava hot Rockford 55(39-10-6)84, the Muskegon men of hockey have crept to within a single point of the league's overall premiere pinnacle while still enjoying the potential luxury of 2-games in hand on an Ice Hogs squad which sustained only their fourth defeat in the last 32-games by way of the Fury conquest. Of their remaining 23-regular season games, the Fury will face both Kalamazoo and Rockford in over one-third of the schedule; or a total of 8-times. They will see the Wings and the ‘Hogs each 4-more times before season's conclusion on April 15th. Regarding the third UHL divisional kingpin, Danbury 57(34-13-10)78, the Fury have a 5-point advantage over the Trashers with 4-games in hand on the Connecticut sextet. This new week will find the Fury introducing their ambitious 15-games' March docket by way of a 3-game road junket which will transport them to Danbury Wednesday night, Elmira Friday night before being capped Sunday in Port Huron.

BACK ON BEAM MACHINE: Through their impressive sweep of 3-games in 3-days the past weekend, the Fury have not only won 3-games in a row but have also extended their latest unsullied streak to 7-games; 7(4-0-3). For the composite campaign, the Fury have upgraded their record to a stunning 53(38-8-7) for 83-points. Their mere 8-set-backs are two less than any other team in the league. Dating back to last season and Tarry Cup II as well as Colonial Cup IV, the "Furious Ones" sport a supreme record of 62(44-10-8) in their last 62-outings. Elaborating and enumerat-ing further, they are a scintillating 84(60-13-11) in their last 84-affairs and 103(73-18-12) in their last 103 regular season contests. One year ago, after 53-games, the Fury had assembled a mark of 53(32-15-6) for 70-points. Presently, the Fury have garnered 6-more wins, have suffered 7-fewer losses and have recorded 13-more points at this hour of the 2004-05 season. Thus far this season, the Fury's longest win skeins have been 10-in a row twice, (the second longest overall win streak in the UHL), one 5-game win streak, one 11-game undefeated streak; 11(10-0-1); one 7-games unbeaten streak; 7(6-0-1). In the 2004-05 season, the year of Tarry Cup II and Colonial Cup IV, the Fury accrued one 9-game win streak and an all-time club record and UHL season-best 17-games unblemished streak; 17(14-0-3). Last season as well, the Fury attained two 10-game unbeaten streaks with both being 10(9-0-1). For the monthly returns thus far this season: October 3(3-0-0); November 12(11-1-0); December 14(8-4-2); January 11(10-0-1); February 13(6-3-4).

HOME DOME DAZZLE: The past weekend saw the Fury claim a pair of home appearances in less than 24-hours in a Saturday night-Sunday matinee combination. With their latest home success, the Fury have swelled their latest home undefeated string to 4-games at 4(3-0-1). For the collective campaign, Muskegon 28(19-5-4) have equaled Adirondack 28(19-5-4) for the circuit's second best home mark. Only Rockford has been superior in home standing status at 30(24-4-2). The Fury's top winning streaks at home this season have been 6-in a row and 5-in succession. "Todd's Team" has also recorded a season's best 9-game home ice unbeaten spell; 9(8-0-1). They are a sterling 44(34-7-3) in their last 44-home encounters and an amazing 86(67-13-6) in their last 86-home decisions.

PREVAIL OVER TRAVAIL: On Friday night at "The Garage" in Fraser, the Fury halted a season-long 4-game winless streak in hostile territory as they edged Motor City, 3-2. The victory represented the Fury's first road win since their last game prior to the UHL All-Star break; a January 22nd 5-2 triumph in Flint. It also enhanced Muskegon's foreign ice log to a league-best 25(18-3-4). The franchise record for most road wins in a single season is 23, attained in both the 1998-99 and 2001-02 seasons. The fewest road defeats in one season are 13. Muskegon's longest road win streak has been a league season-best 7-in a row, which the Fury have achieved twice thus far this season. They have also registered a stellar 11-games unbeaten abroad spell of 11(10-0-1), as well as an 8-games'scourge of 8(7-0-1).

DIVISION DOCKET: The Fury have been virtually inviolate when they venture outside of their own Central Divis-ion boundaries. Combining their activities against both the Eastern and Western Divisions, the Fury are a masterful 24(21-1-2). They are an unblemished 8(7-0-1) against the East and 16(14-1-1) against the Western Division. Seven of Muskegon's league-low 8-defeats have been inflicted within their own Central Division; 29(17-7-5). The breakdown by division; Central Division: 29(17-7-5); home: 13(9-4-2); road: 14(8-3-3). Port Huron 8(5-0-3); home: 3(2-0-1); road: 5(3-0-2); Flint 6(4-1-1); home: 4(3-1-0); road: 2(1-0-1); Motor City 8(5-3-0); home: 5(3-2-0); road: 3(2-1-0); Kalamazoo 7(3-3-1); home: 3(1-2-0); road: 4(2-1-1). Western Division breakdown: Fort Wayne 5(5-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0); Rockford 4(4-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 1 (1-0-0); Missouri 4(3-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 3(2-1-0); Quad City 3(2-0-1); home: 2(1-0-1) road: 1 (1-0-0). Eastern Division: Richmond 3(2-0-1); home: 1(0-0-1); road: 2(2-0-0); Roanoke 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Danbury 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); Adirondack 1 (1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Elmira 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0).

MORE OFFENSE; MORE DEFENSE: With the impeccable 3(3-0-0) record for the weekend, the Fury produced 11-GF while allotting only 7-GA. For the season and for a third straight year, the Fury have achieved the most potent offensive artillery in the loop. In 53-games, they have produced a prolific 240-GF for a GFA of a mighty 4.53. At the same time, the once-maligned defensive corps has steadied and stabilized, as the blue line brigade only permitted 7-GA in the past 3-games for a GAA of an avarice 2.33. In the Sunday triumph over fiercely-contending Rockford, Muskegon's defense was absolute and resolute as they allowed only a late 3rd period PPG to the Ice Hogs, limiting their high-octane attack to a menial 16-SOG for the game and only a 7-SOG combined for the initial two stanzas.

ELITE STREET STARS: This week, the UHL's top scoring aggregation nation features no fewer than 5 top-flight artisans among the league's top 15-scoring elite. #1 Robin Bouchard 53(51-48-99); #2 Jeff Nelson 50(28-68-96); #8 David Wrigley 53(29-33-62); #11 Ryan Keller 44(30-30-60); #15 Todd Robinson 33(14-46-60). Bouchard leads the UHL with 51-goals while Nelson's 68-assists are the top mark. Bouchard also leads the loop in PPG with 28 with Nelson 4th totaling 14-PPG. Bouchard also leads the UHL in SOG with 273 and multiple goal games with 13. Wrigley (7) is tied for the UHL lead in GWG with Keller (6) next in league line. Wrigley's 4-SHG tie him for 3rd most in the league. Nelson's +36 rating ranks 3rd best with Keller's +30 listed 5th. Brett Angel's 16-major penalties rank as 4th most in the league. Wrigley and Keller are ranked #1 and #2 in UHL rookie scoring with Wrigley's 11-PPG 4th best among the yearlings. Keller (30) is 2nd and Wrigley (29) is third in goal-scoring for rookies. Angel's 196-PIM rank rookie 4th. Keller (+30) shares the rookie lead for best plus with Wrigley (+29) rated 3rd best. For the defense, currently on loan to AHL Cleveland, Trevor Johnson 43(7-33-40) still ranks 5th with Dave Van Drunen 53(7-22-29) ranked 12th. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool 31(22-6-3) ranks 4th in victories while rookie Kevin LaPointe 22(16-2-4) has incurred the fewest losses of any goalkeeper currently in the league (2).

"B.C." BREAKOUT: Former Detroit Wayne State standout Billy Collins is coming to the crossroads and seems to have found the light and it is burning quite bright. In his team's 3-games in 3 days sweep, the center from Colonial Cups III and IV crafted kinetic choreography, authoring 5-points, including 4-goals; 2-strikes stoked in a single game. In Friday night's 3-2 verdict at Motor City, Muskegon's #8 delivered a pair of strikes. The first one was the key GTG and the second resulted in the ultimate GWG. He was lauded as the game's #1 Star. Saturday night, Collins, again, delivered when it mattered the most, a touch in the clutch PPG which fueled the Fury's comeback crescendo in a 5-4 triumph over visiting Fort Wayne. Then on Sunday afternoon, he essayed his second GWG of the week to spearhead his team's crucial 3-1 conquest of Rockford. For a second straight game in less than 24-hours he was named the #3 Star. For the week, Collns was 3(4-1-5) with 2-GWG, 1-GTG and 1-PPG. Collins is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

"BOUCH" JUICE JUGGERNAUT: Right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is setting yet another blistering pace at an apropos time of the season. The UHL's all-time greatest goal-scoring colossus, produced another prodigious month of spellbinding, riveting production. In February, he led the Fury in goal-scoring and point-scoring with 13(14-12-26). Included in his monthly numbers were a team-high 9-PPG and 3-GWG, 4-multiple-goal games, with 3 of those crammed into the final 5-games of the month. The "Gun-Sling King" crowned capped the month with a 5-game goal-scoring and PPG streak; 5(8-5-13); 7-PPG and an 8-game point streak; 8(10-9-19) He scored goals in 9 of the 13-February games. His month was actually crowned the opening weekend of February when Bouchard delivered the TBG/GWG with 2:51 remaining, late third period to tie Kevin Kerr for the most career goals in UHL annals. Then on the next night, "Bouch Almighty" fired a natural 3-goal first period "hat trick" to become the greatest goal virtuoso ever in the UHL; #470 and then-some!! Having previously captured UHL Player of the Month for two consecutive months, in November and December, Bouchard is, again, the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Month for February.

FORTY SPORTY: Goaltender Clayton Pool turned in two outstanding performances the past weekend in helping the home town team lay claim to 2 of the 3-victories. Friday night in Motor City, he was rapier-like sharp in rebuffing 41 of 43-Mechanics offerings in the 3-2 triumph. Then on home ice Sunday, he was just 3:15 away from his second shutout of the season, being saluted as the game's #1 Star in Muskegon's 3-1 subduing of Rockford. For the week, Pool was 2(2-0-0) with a miserly 1.50 GAA and stellar .949 SPCT. For the month, the former U. of Alberta star was 8(3-3-2) with a 3.44 GAA. Pool's career record in Muskegon stands at a remarkable 60(40-12-8) for a win percentage of .733. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week and of the Month.

ROOKIE RYAN FLYIN': Rookie left wing Ryan Keller has matured into one of the more dangerous offensive weapons in the Fury's high-voltage lineup. For February, Keller was, again, prominent and dominant. In 12-games, the Fury rookie discovery finished 4th in team scoring with 12(9-7-16). His 9-goals were 2nd most while his overall monthly report card read 3-FG, 2-PPG, 2-GTG, 1-TBG and 2-multiple goal games. Keller engineered 6-multiple points games and experienced only 2-"minus" efforts. The winner of the Easton / UHL Rookie of the Month, last month in January, Ryan Keller, is again, the Fury's nomination for Easton / UHL Rookie of the Month for February.

MVP MAJESTIC: Smooth-move center Jeff Nelson is staying the steady course with his extraordinary play in all zones of the ice. The 14-year veteran center may be set to enjoy the best season of his distinguished career yet. In 3-games the past weekend, he was 3(2-4-6) with 2-PPG and a +1 rating. For the season, the UHL's second top scorer is 50(28-68-96). In Saturday night's 5-4 comeback victory he authored 2-PPG and 2-assists as we named the game's #1 Star. In his last 7-games; 7(3-13-16).

HERRRRE'S JOHNNY: Third year defenseman Jon Insana has picked just the right time to be playing some of his best hockey of the current campaign. The former Michigan State standout has been playing as if a man possessed with his blue line presence and assertiveness. The past week, logging heavy duty ice time due to the loss of 4-defensemen, the "Johnny I Guy" stepped up with 3(0-1-1) with an excellent +4 rating.

THE DOUBLE ‘D' IN "DVD": Veteran two-time All-Star defenseman Dave Van Drunen embodies the definition of spirit and hard work from the total team perspective. The 9-year pro absolutely closed down three opponents top units with his relentless and persistent play and performance. For the week, he carded a +2 rating and left no trace of a doubt that he is the best of the rest of rearguard royalty in the UHL.

TOTAL TEAM TONIC: For a third consecutive year running, the Fury own the UHL's premiere power play power plant. In fact, in their Saturday night 5-4 defeat of Fort Wayne, Muskegon matched its all-time club record for most PPG in a single game with 5. The power play is fructifying fluidly again. They are 13 for the last 37; 35.1% rating; 16 for the last 46 for a mark of 34.8%. For the season, the Fury power play is still #1 operating at 26.0% proficiency; 81-309 for a rating of 26.6%.

MARKING MILESTONES: Robin Bouchard's league-high 28th PPG Sunday was also the 175th PPG of his Fury career. He is only 117-PPG ahead of Fury runner-up Brant Blackned (58). Todd Robinson (127) needs just 7-more goals to tie Brett Seguin (134) for third place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Rustyn Dolyny (267) has reached the top 10 in Fury career point-scoring. Steve O'Rourke (95) is 5-points away from career 100.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury have been thriving on Sunday this season with a record of 11(9-1-1) overall and an undefeated 7(6-0-1) on the road. The Fury are +24 in the first period this season, outscoring their opposition, 83-59. Muskegon is the best third period UHL squad, out-goaling the adversary, 85-50. When the Fury surrender 3-GA or less, they are undefeated at 31(29-0-2). The Fury are 11(4-7) in the OTSO this season; at home: 5(2-3-0); road: 6(2-4-0). In the last OTSO, the Fury are 5(1-4-0) in their last 5-such events.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Facing the daunting task of 3-games in 3-days on the weekend, the Fury responded in magical fashion, posting a perfect 3(3-0-0). Friday night on the road in Fraser, the Fury trimmed the Motor City Mechanics, 3-2. Billy Collins fired a pair of goals with his first tying the contest and the latter one proving to be the GWG. Robin Bouchard 1-1-2 (PPG/TBG) for the Fury. Clayton Pool was sharp with 41-saves. Returning home for the balance of the weekend, the Fury overcame 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to conquer Fort Wayne, 5-4. The Fury power play exploded to the tune of a record 5-PPG performance. Jeff Nelson (2-2-4), Bouchard (2-1-3)GWG and Collins (1-1-2) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen. Kevin LaPointe made 26-saves in the Muskegon goal. Sunday afternoon, the Fury were virtually flawless in a 3-1 taming of Rockford. Todd Robinson (FG), Collins (GWG) and Bouchard (PPG) were the sharpshooters with Rustyn Dolyny assisting twice. Clayton Pool turned aside 15-shots.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1ST THE FURY AT DANBURY 7:00 PM

Only the second meeting of the season between the two combatants from last year's UHL Colonial Cup semi-finals. In their earlier clash back on November 11th, the Fury prevailed over the Trashers, 5-4, eradicating a 3-2 third period deficit. This will be Muskegon's lone regular season trip to the Connecticut state. Last year in the Colonial Cup semi-finals, the Fury ousted the Trashers in 5-games, 4-1.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD THE FURY AT ELMIRA 7:00 PM

The second and final meeting of the season between two familiar adversaries from the Fury' Finals victories over the Jackals in 2002 and 2004 to capture two of their four Colonial Cup crowns. The lone time the Fury and the Jackals met this season was way back on opening night, October 22nd in Muskegon where the Fury prevailed, 3-1.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM

The ninth of ten collisions for two Central Division, in-state foes with the Fury on top in the season series, 8(5-0-3) and 5(3-0-2) in Port Huron where the Fury will be making their last regular season appearance for the 2005-06 season. The Flags are coached by former Fury Colonial Cup I All-Star center Paul Willett.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 27, 2006


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