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Following club record nine-game win streak, Fury drop three in a row

January 24, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Following an impressive, all-time regular season franchise record 9-game winning streak; 9(9-0-0), the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have now incur-red the pangs of an emotional letdown as reflected through a present tense 3-game losing streak; 3(0-3-0). In the process, the Fury have abdicated their royal and regal throne atop the league's Central Division standings to a torrid, molten-lava hot Kalamazoo Wings aggregation. Under the direction of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury, through the first 44-games of the 80-games' regular season agenda, have compiled a composite record of 44(26-13-5) totaling 57-points. They have fallen 2-points in arrears of first-place Kalamazoo 46(28-15-3)59-points. The Wings are a sparkling 14(13-1-0) in their last 14-games overall and a brilliant 9(8-1-0) in their last 9-sojourns abroad. Muskegon does enjoy, potentially, the luxury of 2-games in hand on their nearby West Michigan rivals who have recorded a league-best 16-wins on the road. Meanwhile, the Fury have maintained a 9-points' advantage over third-place faltering Flint 44(20-16-8)48-points as the Generals have struggled recently, going winless in their last 7-starts; 7(0-6-1) while dropping 3-consecutively at home. Concerning the overall 14-teams' UHL standings, the "Muskegonites" have fallen to 6th place overall. However, a mere 4-points separate the top 6-teams in the race for the Tarry Cup regular season crown. 1- Rockford 61, 2- Fort Wayne 60, 3- Danbury 59, Kalamazoo 59, 5- Adiron-dack 58, 6- Muskegon 57. The Fury will be approaching one of their most momentous weekends of the season in concluding the schedule for the month of January. They will confront three in-division foes in as many games this coming weekend, including a showdown for first place Friday night in Kalamazoo against the Wings. For the remainder of the weekend, the men of the Fury will be home for a pair of clashes; Saturday night against Motor City and Sunday afternoon in a 2:00 pm matinee against Flint. The latter two games will be played at Walker Arena.

RECORD REVIEW: After a masterful 9-game winning streak, the "Furious Ones" suddenly find themselves mired in a 3-game losing skid which has force them to relinquish first-place. For the season, their record stands at 44(26-13-5)57-points. Before this most recent victory hiatus, the Fury had also assembled their second 10-game undefeated skein of the year at 10(9-0-1). The Fury's longest win streaks of the season have been 9-in a row, 5-consecutively and a 4-game victory skein. There have been two 10-game unbeaten streaks with each being 10(9-0-1). Their current 3-game losing streak matches their longest of the season in that dubious department. Thus far in January, the Fury record stands at 10(7-3-0). Last January 2004, the Fury record was 13(8-2-3). Comparing records, after the first 44-games last season the Fury were 44(29-11-4)62-points. Currently, they are 3-wins and 5-points below last year's clip.

THE HOUSE WINS: Despite a rare home setback the past Friday night when the Fury trembled to visiting Kansas City, 4-3, the Fury still own the distinction of the UHL's premiere home record of a superlative 21(15-3-3)33-points. Their 3-home defeats represent the least in the league. Until that Friday night undoing, the Fury had composed their season's best 9-games' home ice unbeaten streak; 9(7-0-2). In addition, with that Friday home loss, the Fury, dating back to late last season, have gulped down a scant 3-home defeats in their last 30-home dates, posting a magnificent mark of 30(24-3-3).Longest home win streak of the season has been 4-consecutively, a mark reached twice thus far this season. There has also been one 3-game win streak. The longest home ice unsullied skeins have been 9-in succession; 9(7-0-2) and 7-straight; 7(6-0-1). Muskegon is a majestic 10(10-0-0) at home within their own Michigan-only Central Division.

ROAD WOES WEARY: Subsequent to a season's best 6-games' road winning streak, the Fury have been saddled with two consecutive rather disappointing defeats to digest. The first period has been Muskegon's demise in both of those sobering scenarios, being outscored by a combined margin of 7-0. For the season, the Fury still have a foreign ice log that is one game above the .500 barrier at 23(11-10-2). The longest road winning streaks have been 6-in a row and 3-consecutively. Longest losing streaks in hostile territory have been 4-in succession and 3-in a row.

DIVISION DYNAMICS: "Team Title" has been absolutely extraordinary in competition within its own Central Division as their 19(16-3-0) record would attest. They are a perfect 10(10-0-0) at home and a superb 9(6-3-0) on the road. Thus far this season, the defending titlists have also been staunch and stellar against Eastern Division rivals with a 4(3-1-0)mark. However, it is against the Western Division alignment, where the Fury have sputtered and stuttered lately. For the season, their record has fallen 2-games below the .500 level at 21(7-9-5) while winning just 3 of their last 16-outings within the Western confines; 16(3-8-5). The breakdown: Central Division: Kalamazoo 6(6-0-0)22-10; home: 3(3-0-0)12-6; road: 3(3-0-0)10-4; Flint 6(4-2-0)17-19; home: 2(2-0-0)5-3; road: 4(2-2-0)12-16; Motor City 3(3-0-0)16-7; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Port Huron 4(3-1-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 1(0-1-0). Western Division: Kansas City 6(3-2-1)21-17; home: 3(2-1-0)12-7; road: 3(1-1-1)9-10; Quad City 4(2-2-0)12-7; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; road: 2(0-2-0)2-5; Missouri 4(1-1-2)11-10; home: 2(1-0-1)8-5; road: 2(0-1-1)3-5; Rockford 3(1-2-0)9-9; road: 3(1-2-0)9-9; Fort Wayne 4(0-2-2)10-17; home: 3(0-1-2)8-13; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. Eastern Division: Elmira 1(1-0-0)5-0; road: 1(1-0-0)5-0; Richmond 1(1-0-0)5-3; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Adirondack 2(1-1-0)4-4; home: 1(0-1-0)2-3; road: 1(1-0-0)2-1.

THE GF / GA RESUME: Muskegon is presently ranked as the third best offensive team in the UHL, having produced 147-GF in the first 44-games for a GFA of 3.34. Only Fort Wayne (3.69) and Adirondack (3.49) have been more prolific offensively in the league. On the defensive side, the Fury also rank a lofty third, surrendering 112-GA in 44-games for a GAA of a stingy and stellar 2.55. The Fury rank 10th in the league in shots on goals, registering a per game average of 28.8. The Fury are ranked third in the league for fewest shots on goal against with a per game yield of only 27.6. Only Missouri (24.8) and Kalamazoo (26.8) have allotted less shots on goal.

TOP CARD CLASS: The UHL's defending scoring champion, Robin Bouchard 44(26-34-60) ranks 4th in league-wide scoring with Brant Blackned 41(15-34-49) and Jeff Nelson 44(11-38-49) tied for 9th. Bouchard's 26-goals tie him for 3rd most in the league while Nelson's 38-assists are 4th most. Bouchard's 13-PPG rank him as runner-up in the loop and his 32-PP/Points lead the league. Bouchard (19) and Blackned (19) are tied for circuit 2nd in PP/Assists. Blackned's 27-PP/Points rank as 3rd most in the league. Rustyn Dolyny's 4-SHG tie him for 2nd most in the league. B.J. Gaustad leads the league in goal-scoring shooting percentage with 19/75, 25.3% rating. Jason Lawmaster is 3rd in the UHL in minor penalties with 39. David Ambler has climbed to 5th in the UHL in PIM with 203 while his 19-majors tie him for 3rd most. In UHL rookie scoring, Billy Collins, recently returning to active status following a 12-games' absence due to injury, is 14th with 31(10-9-19) His 5-PPG tie him for 2nd best. Bill Zalba 38(9-8-17) is 16th among the rookies in the top scoring echelon. Collins and Zalba rank 4th and 5th respectively in goal scoring shooting percentage. Collins 10/59; 16.9%; Zalba 9/54, 16.7%. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool is #1 in the league with a 2.18 GAA. His .920 SPCT ranks 6th and his overall record of 19(12-3-2) ranks as the best winning percentage among this year's goaltending contingent.

THE B.J. JUGGERNAUT: Second-year center B.J. Gaustad has truly come of age this campaign for his title timber team. This past 3-games' work week he sustained his scoring scourge substantially. For the week, he was 3(2-1-3) with a +2 rating and 10-SOG. He maestroed his 2-strikes on home ice Friday night against Kansas City, including 1-PPG/GTG and 1-TBG, being accorded the accolades of the #3 Star selection. In his last 11-games, the crackerjack centerman has averaged a goal a game with 11(11-4-15). He has authored three 2-goal games and his lofty +13 rating ranks as 2nd best for the Fury and #1among all of the Fury forwards. For the season, his 19-total goals rank as 2nd most for the Fury club. Gaustad is the Fury's nomination for UHL / Sher-wood Player of the Week.

BARRICADE BY DAIGLE: Since his return to the Fury from a first-half globetrotting mission in London, two-time Team MVP Sylvain Daigle has played in every game totaling 5 and starting 4 of those contests for the league kingpins. The past week, the UHL Colonial Cup III MVP posted a 3(0-2-0) record with a GAA of 3.04 and a SPCT of .893. The 2001-02 UHL Goaltender of the Year, Daigle is also Muskegon's all-time career king in GPI: 243; WINS: 136; GAA: 2.69 and SPCT.915. Daigle is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sport Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

FLASHY FLAMBOYANT: The Fury's all-time career premiere cannoneer right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard has, once again, fashioned another one of his patented prodigious scoring binges. "The Gun-Sling King" is currently riding the rising rapids of a league-high 12-games' point scoring scourge. It's the second longest point streak for the entire UHL season. In that propitious expanse, "Bouch Almighty" is 12(10-16-26). In his last 15-games; 15(12-17-29). During his present 12-game point-scourge he has averaged over 2-points per game at 2.2. His six 2-goal games lead the Fury club.

CAPTAIN TERRIFIC PROLIFIC: Four-year right wing and team captain Rustyn Dolyny turned in yet another strong and stellar week for the home town team. In 3-games, he was 3(2-1-3) with both of his goals stoked Sunday in Quad City, nearly negating a Mallards 3-0 first period advantage. In his last 5-games, "Rusto Bravissimo" is averaging a proficient 2-points per game with 5(4-6-10). Moreover, in his last 11-games; he is 11(6-11-17). For the season, he is virtually averaging a point a game with 40(15-24-39). He has risen to 4th best in Muskegon team scoring.

THE "SCRAM MAN:" Left wing David Ambler 44(2-8-10) has been playing like a man possessed and obsessed in recent game action for the "Titletown Team" In fact, for this season, he has become the first Fury player to exceed 200-PIM, totaling 203. He currently ranks 4th in the UHL in PIM with his 19-majors tying him for third most in the loop.

STILL NO. 1 FUN FOR FURY: Although in the grips of a rather sullen and solemn 3-game losing streak, the Fury, nevertheless, remain on top in both of the primary special teams categories. The power play is percolating at a league best 26.1% proficiency, 54-207 with the 54-PPG foremost in the league. However, during the 3-games' hiatus, the power play is only 1-16 for a rating of an uncharacteristically destitute 6.2%. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury are still at the top of the heap operating at 87.7% efficiency, 199-227. Opponents are 5 for the last 16 for a conversion rating of 31.3%. Muskegon has delivered 6-SHG while allowing 4-SHGA.

ANNALS ALMANAC: Brant Blackned 623(362-435-797) needs just 3-more points to become the third Fury player thus far this season to attain 800-career points. Robin Bouchard 540(352-340-692) is 8-points shy of the Fury 700 club. Rustyn Dolyny 239(84-111-195) is 5-points away from the Fury 200. Dolyny's career 8-SHG have moved him into 5th place on the Fury all-time list. Upon his second coming back to the Fury recently, Sylvain Daigle, in his first start, posted pro career win #200.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In their last 2-road games, the Fury have been outscored in the first period, 7-0. Muskegon has outscored the opposition on home ice in the first period this season, 23-10. The Fury have earned the fewest OTSO wins in the league with 2; 7(2-5-0); home: 5(2-3-0); road: 2(0-2-0). Brant Blackned is presently on a 7-games' road points-scoring streak with a massive 18-points in that span. Three of the Fury's top 4 Plus players are defensemen; Dave Van Drunen +15; Nolan Brown +11; Jordon Flodell +10. In his last 12-games, Jason Lawmaster is 12(7-6-13) with 3-GWG and 5-PPG. The Fury's best period on the road has been the second out-scoring the enemy, 29-22.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: The Fury's week was somewhat an unfounded one as they failed to collect a single point in the league standings.. It all began last Monday afternoon in a matinee affair in Kansas City where the Fury were chilled by a 4-goal, unanswered first period surge in bowing to the Outlaws 5-1. Robin Bouchard averted the shutout for the Fury with a third period goal after the Outlaws had built a daunting 5-0 lead. Returning home Friday night to conclude the two-game home-and-home series, again the Outlaws ambushed the "Fury-men" 4-3. This time the expansionists rose-up with a 2-goal power play rally to erase a Fury 3-2 lead to ultimately prevail. The GWG was brewed with just 3:06 remaining in regulation time. B.J. Gausted sniped twice for the vanquished Fury (2-0-2)PPG/GTG and TBG. Bill Zalba nothed the FG with Robin Bouchard assisting twice. Muskegon outshot Kansas City, 26-23. Sunday in Quad City, once again, the first period was the downfall for the Fury as they succumbed to a 3-goal Mallards' barrage before rallying from that early 3-0 deficit before dropping a 3-2 verdict. Rustyn Dolyny accounted for both of the Muskegon strikes, including 1-PPG. Jason Lawmaster did earn 2-assists. Quad City outshot the Fury, 39-27.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28TH THE FURY AT KALAMAZOO 7:30 PM

Perhaps, the showdown for the top spot in the Michigan-only Central Division standings with the torrid Wings currently enjoying a 2-points' advantage over the roster-depleted Fury. This will be the seventh session staged and waged between two nearby archenemies and the fourth at Wings Stadium. Thus far this season, the Fury are a perfect 6(6-0-0) against the Wings and 3(3-0-0) in "K-Town." Kalamazoo is 14(13-1-0) in the last 14-games and is currently thriving through a 5-game win streak at home.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29TH MOTOR CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The newly-minted Motor City Mechanics make their third and final appearance at Walker Arena in their maiden voyage campaign as the two newly-created in-state rivals collide for the fourth of seven clashes this season. Thus far, the Fury are also perfect against former Detroit Red Wings standout Garry Unger's squad with a 3(3-0-0) mark. They are 2(2-0-0) on home ice, outscoring the suburban Detroit club, 11-4.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30TH FLINT AT THE FURY 2:00 PM

These two long-time warriors will lock antlers for the seventh of nine meetings this season and the third of four to be staged in Muskegon. The Fury, on the strength of 2-consecutive triumphs, have gained a 6(4-2-0) series lead. They are 2(2-0-0) at home and 4(2-2-0) in Flint. Both of Muskegon's home ice victories have come courtesy of the OTSO. The Generals launch the new week in a somewhat stagnant state, having gone winless in their last 7-games; 7(0-6-1).

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