Fury announce first round playoff schedule
April 17, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Having attained a coveted berth in the United Hockey League's premiere, showcase event, the Colonial Cup Playoffs for an unprecedented 14th consecutive year, the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury, will launch their quest for a league record-breaking, history-making third consecutive crown in a first round playoff series against the Adirondack Frostbite. The two inter-divisional rivals will lock antlers in the best 4-of-7 opening round series with the ultimate victor attaining a hallowed berth in the best 4-of-7 Semi-Finals.
For the second consecutive year, the Fury will skate with the home ice advantage by virtue of a superior overall regular season record than Adirondack. The Fury completed the 76-games' regular season schedule with their best winning record in franchise history at 76(51-18-7) totaling 109-points with a winning percentage of .717. Their final 2005-06 composite record was ever so slightly superior to the 1998-99 Tarry Cup I, Colonial Cup I mark of 74(50-18-6) 106-points, resulting in a .716 winning percentile. This season, Muskegon's 51-victories equaled the all-time club record, which was set last year, while the 18-setbacks matched the record for fewest defeats and the 109-points were a mere two points shy of equaling last year's record of 111. Finishing in a lofty second place position in both the Central Division and overall UHL standings, the Fury have been designated as the #4 seed for this opening round series.
As for the Fury's opening round opponent, Adirondack, the Frostbite completed the regular phase in second place in the Eastern Division, compiling a record of 76(46-24-6) for 98-points. Under the direction of head coach Dane Jack-son, the Glens Falls, NY based club finished 9-points back of divisional titlist Danbury after Adirondack had captured the same crown atop the East in 2004-05.
Both teams completed the regular season in a rather mundane, ordinary fashion. The Fury were 10(5-5-0) in their last 10-starts; 6(2-4-0) in the final half-dozen dates after dominating the first-half of the season with an enormous mark of 38(31-5-2). Meanwhile, Adirondack posted a record of 5(1-3-1) in its last 5-games; 10(5-4-1) in the last 10-outings. Against Eastern Division competition this season, the Fury excelled as their 11(9-1-1) mark attests. Adirondack was 12(4-7-1) when competing in the Central Division.
This is the second time in Fury UHL history that Muskegon will test with Adirondack in the post-season and each time it has occurred during the opening round of the playoffs. In the lone previous combat, back in the 1999-00 season, again as defending Colonial Cup Champions, the Fury ousted the Adirondack club when they were known under the moniker of the "Ice Hawks." In a best 2-of-3 series, the Fury ousted the Adirondack, 2-games to none; outscoring them 11-2.
Games #1 and #2 of this series are set for Muskegon's Walker Arena on FRIDAY, APRIL 21ST and SATURDAY, APRIL 22ND with both games having an opening face-off of 7:30 PM.
Adirondack will proceed to host Games #3, #4 and #5 with the latter, if necessary. The game dates in Glens Falls are on the docket for WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26TH at 7:00 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH and SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH with both of those games set for 7:30 PM.
Should games #6 and #7 be necessary, the series would return to Muskegon with the dates being MONDAY, MAY 1ST and TUESDAY, MAY 2ND with game times 7:30 PM.
During the regular season, the two teams tangled twice with the Fury capturing the series, 2-0; outscoring the Frostbite, 7-2. Muskegon extracted a 3-1 verdict in their lone appearance in Glens Falls, back on January 8th before prevailing here in Muskegon last Tuesday, April 11th, 4-1.
The Fury are launching their quest for the circuit's most prized jewel, inspired by the opportunity of making UHL post-season history. As the two-time reigning league Champions, Muskegon is seeking to become the first-ever team in UHL history to capture a third consecutive Colonial Cup crown. In 2004-05, last season, the Fury did become only the third team in league history to claim two titles in succession. In so doing, Muskegon became the first-ever UHL club to capture the UHL's most hallowed hardware four times. In 2005-06, the Fury seek a record fifth Colonial Cup Championship over the last seven calendar years.
The Fury franchise is coming off yet another highly-successful campaign in which they qualified for the league playoffs for an unprecedented 14th consecutive season, mirroring their overall existence in the UHL as Muskegon achieved another impressive winning record, also for a 14th successive season.
The Fury will open their two-time title defense having amassed the most regular season victories (592) and the most playoff victories (80) in UHL history.
Adirondack has reached the UHL's post-season playoffs for the sixth time in the organization's seven year history. The Frostbite are looking for the team's first-ever playoff series success, having posted a 5(0-5) playoff series mark.
UHL COLONIAL CUP PLAYOFFS / OPENING ROUND BEST 4-OF-7 SERIES
THE FURY VS. ADIRONDACK
GAME #1 FRIDAY, APRIL 21 ADIRONDACK AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
GAME #2 SATURDAY, APRIL 22 ADIRONDACK AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
GAME #3 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 THE FURY AT ADIRONDACK 7:00 PM
GAME #4 FRIDAY, APRIL 28 THE FURY AT ADIRONDACK 7:30 PM
GAME #5** SATURDAY, APRIL 29 THE FURY AT ADIRONDACK 7:30 PM
GAME #6** MONDAY, MAY 1 ADIRONDACK AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
GAME #7** TUESDAY, MAY 2 ADIRONDACK AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
** IF NECESSARY **
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- First Round Playoff Dates are set - Motor City Mechanics
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- Trashers begin playoffs Friday at home - Danbury Trashers
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- Rockford closes out regular season taking three of four points - Rockford IceHogs
- Frostbite Open Playoffs on Friday - Adirondack Frostbite
- Adirondack Frostbite Weekly - Adirondack Frostbite
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