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Fury complete stirring week

April 3, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: For a second consecutive week, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury were faced with the daunting task of four games in five days with three of those against Western Division competition. The gallant men of the Fury responded superbly in claiming three of their four outings as they fortified their grip on first place in their own Central Division standings as well as the overall UHL standings in their bid for a second consecutive Tarry Cup Regular Season Championship and the third such treasured honor in franchise history. Under the doctrine according to third year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury have attained the circuit's supreme record of 70(49-14-7) totaling 105-points and a .750 win percentage. With two weeks consisting of six games remaining in the regular phase prior to the advent of the post-season playoffs, the Fury have gained a four-point advantage over second place Kalamazoo 70(47-16-7) for 101-points. The Wings are flourishing as reflected in their 20(14-4-2) mark in the past 20-games. Both the Fury and Kalamazoo play the same number of remaining games. The Fury squadron currently holds a 6-point lead over Western Division front-running Rockford 71(46-18-7) for 99-points. Muskegon does own one game in hand on the Ice Hogs with the two rivals set to collide three more times spanning the final two weeks of the current campaign. Two more of those episodes between the Fury and Rockford are to be staged this weekend when the Fury host the ‘Hogs Saturday night at "The Hockey Barn of Bedlam" before traveling to the Illinois city Sunday afternoon for a matinee encore presentation. The Fury will actually launch the second to last week of the regular season and three games in three nights Friday night at Flint in a duel with their divisional archrivals, the Generals.

ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT / HOME FINALE: This Saturday night, when the Fury engage in combat against Rockford, the Muskegon organization will present its annual "Awards Night" ceremonies prior to the opening face-off. The Fury's actual regular season home finale is the re-scheduled game from January 14th when the Fury were to host the Adirondack Frostbite. This postponed Fury game will be played on Tuesday night, April 11th at 7:30 pm at Walker Arena. That particular night, the Fury will also present their ever popular "Carload Special II."

TARRY CUP CROWN BOUND: The past week, the Fury survived and thrived, assembling a masterful 4(3-1-0) record for 6 of a possible 8-points. In the process, the Muskegon men of pro hockey excellence advanced and otherwise enhanced their overall season record to an extraordinary 70(49-14-7) for 105-points. "Todd's Team" has recorded two more wins and has 2-fewer losses than any other team in the league. This marks the third consecutive year in which the Fury have attained the coveted century point plateau and the fourth time through the past 5-seasons. Muskegon stands on the precipice of its second successive 50-win season which would be their third overall in club history. The Fury have previously gathered its third consecutive 40-win season, it's the fourth in the past 5-seasons; the seventh in 9-seasons and their ninth in the past dozen years. Currently, the Fury are 11(8-3-0) in their last 11-offerings; last 24(15-6-3). One year ago after 70-games, the Fury were riding high as well with a gaudy log of 70(45-17-8) for 98-points. This year's Fury edition has 4-more wins, 3-fewer defeats and 7-more points at the same juncture of the campaign. Muskegon's longest win streaks of the season have been two 10-game win streaks and two 5-game win skeins. In addition, the "Furious Ones" have compiled the UHL's longest undefeated streak of the season at 15(13-0-2). Moreover, they have also assembled an 11-game unbeaten streak; (10-0-1) and a 7-game unbeaten streak; 7(6-0-1). The monthly records: 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); March 15(10-5-0); April 2(1-1-0).

HOME STYLE STEP: The past week, the Fury fashioned a 2(1-1-0) record on home ice, including a hard-earned Friday night 3-2 victory over Kalamazoo followed the next night with a 4-1 subduing inflicted by Rockford. For the season, the Fury home record ranks as 4th best in the UHL at 36(25-8-3). Their 8-home setbacks are two more than they incurred all of last season; 40(31-6-3). Presently, the Fury are 3(1-2-0) in their last three home dates. This season's top Fury win streaks at home have been 6-in succession as well as 5-consecutively. The Fury have also achieved a 9-game home ice unbeaten streak; 9(8-0-1). This season, the Fury actually have earned a better record abroad than they have at home.

ROAD WINS RECORD: By virtue of their impeccable 3-0 shutout triumph Sunday at Quad City, the Fury have established a new club record for most road wins in a single season at 24. They are 34(24-6-4) abroad with four more road bouts coming up on the docket. Previously, "Team Title" set a new standard for fewest road setbacks in one season. The former record was 13-road defeats for the Fury. Having accomplished the UHL's premiere road record for this season, the Fury are, once again, excelling abroad. They are 5(4-1-0) in their 5-sojourns; last 8 (6-2-0); last 10(7-3-0). The longest road win streaks thus far this season have been two 7-game win streaks; an 11-game unblemished streak; 11(10-0-1) and an 8-game stretch 8(7-0-1).

DIVISION DYNAMICS: Outside their own Central Division, the Fury have been virtually inviolate this season with a combined record against the Western and Eastern Divisions of 32(26-4-2). They are 22(18-3-1) against the West and 10(8-1-1) vs. East. In their own Central Division, the Fury have posted a mark of 38(23-10-5). The breakdown: Central Divison: 38(23-10-5); home: 20(13-5-2); road: 18(10-5-3). The breakdown: Port Huron 10(7-0-3); home: 4(3-0-1); road: 6(4-0-2); Flint 8(6-1-1); home: 5(4-1-0); road: 3(2-0-1); Motor City 9(5-4-0); home:5(3-2-0); road: 4(2-2-0). Kalamazoo 11(5-5-1); home: 6(3-3-0) road: 5(2-2-1). Western Division: 22(18-3-1); home: 12(9-2-1); road: 10(9-1-0). The breakdown: Quad City 6(5-0-1); home: 3(2-0-1); road: 3(3-0-0); Fort Wayne 5(5-0-0); home:3(3-0-0); road: 2 (2-0-0); Rockford 5(4-1-0); home: 4(3-1-0); road: 1 (1-0-0). Missouri: 6(4-2-0); home: 2(1-1-0); road: 4(3-1-0). Eastern Division: 10(8-1-1); home: 4(3-0-1); road: 6(5-1-0). The breakdown: Roanoke 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Richmond 3(2-0-1); home: 1(0-0-1); road: 2(2-0-0); Elmira 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Adirondack 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Danbury 2(1-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(0-1-0).

THE DUKES OF DEFENSE: Defensively, in recent action, the Fury have demonstrated excellent improvement and resolve. The past week, alone, in 4-contests, they grudgingly surrendered only 8-GA for a GAA of a nifty and thrifty 2.00. Taking another step further, in their last 11-games, the kingpins have allowed only 26-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.36. Muskegon, overall, is ranked circuit seventh with a GAA of 3.14 and shrinking. Offensively speaking, the Fury have been prolific and prodigious, rated second in the league with a GFA of 4.20.

TOP TIMBER TALENT: The Fury continue to feature 5 of the top 13-point artisans in the circuit with just two weeks remaining on the regular season slate. Seeking his second UHL scoring title in the past 3-seasons, Robin Bouchard 69(56-56-112) is #1; Jeff Nelson is #2 66(32-79-111); Todd Robinson 50(18-60-78) is 8th. Ryan Keller is 9th 60(39-38-77); David Wrigley is 13th 70(38-38-76). Bouchard leads the UHL in goals with 56, PPG with 32, SOG with 333 and MG with 13. Nelson tops the league in assists with 79; Robinson is 5th with 60. Keller (10) leads the league in GWG with Wrigley (9) ranked 2nd and Bouchard (8) ranking 3rd. Bouchard (7/11) is 4th in the UHL in OTSO goals. Keller and Wrigley are ranked #1 and #2 in UHL rookie scoring with Keller's 39-goals still leading all rookies with Wrigley inching up with 38. Wrigley's 13-PPG rank him 4th in UHL rookies. Keller's stellar +35 rating ranks rookie runner-up. For the defense, Trevor Johnson 60(10-41-51) ranks 4th in scoring among UHL defensemen. Dave Van Drunen's +36 rating ranks him 4th among defensemen. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool (28) is ranked 5th in the UHL for wins while Nick Boucher is tied for 4th in the UHL with 3-shutouts.

"WRIGS' ROLLS ROYCE: Coming off a stalwart week for the Fury is top-flight rookie left wing David Wrigley who struck for a key, crucial goal in each one of the Fury's 4-games the past week. For the week, the former Mercyhurst College star was 4(4-04) with 17-PIM and a positive +2 rating. Each one of Wrigley's strikes was significant; including 2-FG, 1-IG, 1-PPG and 1-GWG. He earned the game's #3 Star twice in succession; 4/1/06, accounting for the Fury's lone goal (PPG) Saturday night in a 4-1 setback inflicted by Rockford and the next day, 4/2/06 when he scored his team's FG/GWG in the Fury's shutout 3-0 triumph at Quad City. Wrigley is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

SHUTOUT SHARP: Muskegon's newest acquisition, goaltender Nick Boucher is relishing his new role with his new team. In his initial 6-starts, the former Dartmouth College standout has posted a sterling 6(5-1-0) mark, a scintillating 1.87 GAA and SPCT mark of .933. The past week, Nick "The Quick" posted a perfect 2(2-0-0) record through a 3-2 Friday night victory over Kalamazoo followed by his second consecutive shutout at Quad City and a 3-0 trumping of the "Greenheads" the past Sunday. For the past week, his GAA was a microscopic 1.00 with a SPCT of a meteoric .964. Boucher is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month for March.

RYAN APPLYIN': Another of the Fury's rookie sensations this season has been left wing Ryan Keller. In March, the fleet first year left wing tied for the Muskegon team scoring lead with 14(9-9-18), 14-PIM and 59-SOG. Included in his monthly numbers were a team-high 9-goals and team-high 4-GWG with 3 of those coming consecutively in his first 3-games for the month. He also produced four 2-goal games and five multi-point games. His +5 rating for March shared the team leadership in that all-important category. Four times he was named the game's #1 Star, once the #2 Star. Keller has already set new Fury rookie records for goals (39); points (77); GWG (10). He is just 3-goals shy of matching the UHL league record for rookie goal-scoring (42) while his next GWG will tie the all-time UHL record (11) in that category as well. Keller is the Fury nomination for both Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Month and Easton / UHL Rookie of the Month.

THE JUICE FROM "BOUCH": On Friday night, when the Fury clipped the Kalamazoo Wings, 3-2, the "Gun-Sling-King" right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard connected on the key, touch-in-the-clutch TBG/GWG/PPG late in the second period to sever a 2-2 and vault the Fury into the victory circle. It was another record-breaking, history making performance for the UHL's all-time greatest goal scorer as he delivered his Fury club record 56th goal of the campaign. That goal shattered the team record of 55 which he had shared on two previous occasions with Brett Seguin. The Fury's famous #32 has also equaled his personal best for goals (56) which he originally established in the 1995-96 season as a member of the Colonial Cup Champions, the Flint Generals.

THE JEFF JR. JOURNAL: The Fury's smooth-move center Jeff Nelson continues to impress with his consummate professional style and polished play and performance. As steady and staunch as they come, "J. Nel" engineered a point in every Fury game the past week; 4(2-4-6) with a +2 rating and 2-ENG to solidify his team's verdicts. He authored two 2-point games and now has 963-points for his pro career. He is just 37-points away from pro career 1,000-points in his illustrious 14-year coverall.

BILLY BLITZ: Detroit Wayne State center Billy Collins was overdue for a breakthrough and come through he did. The past week, in 4-games, he averaged a point a game with 4(2-2-4) with a +3 rating. Included in his output was an IG/UG in the Fury's 3-0 Sunday shutout win at Quad City as well as the FG/GTG/PPG he netted late in the final minute of the first period Wednesday night in the Fury's triumph at Missouri, 5-2 over the River Otters.

THE TRIO WITH DEAN-O: Late last week, the Fury announced the signing of 32-year-old 14-year veteran blue line specialist Dean Melanson. Melanson made his Fury debut Saturday night on home ice against Rockford. A top-drawer defenseman who has played his entire pro career at the higher levels of the NHL, AHL and IHL becomes the third and final installment of the pro hockey playing Melanson brothers to play for the Fury. Dean Melanson was preceded here by brothers Rob (1992-2001) and Stan (1995-96).

ODD MAN BAND: The Fury's feared and formidable power play continues to shine as the best of the rest in the UHL. This marks the third consecutive year that the Fury extra man band has been ranked at the top of the summit. For this season, they are operating at 24.4% proficiency on 96-394 with those 96-PPG ranked as runner-up to Kalamazoo's 103-PPG. This week, the Fury open with their penalty-killing cast ranked 4th in the UHL at 404-477 for an efficiency ratio of 84.7. The Fury lead the UHL in SHG with 19.

FURY FAME IN THE NAME: This week, Rustyn Dolyny (117) tied Andrew Luciuk (117) for 5th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list while passing Luciuk for 8th place in Fury career points (279).Todd Robinson (347) is just 3-games away from Fury 350. Robinson (131) needs just 3-more goals to tie Brett Seguin (134) for third place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. When Dean Melanson debuted for the Fury Saturday night against Rockford, it was his 800th pro career game. Head Coach Todd Nelson 226(147-52-25) is just 3-victories from becoming only the 8th coach in UHL history to win 150-games.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury are undefeated this season entering the third period with the lead at 39(36-0-3). The Fury are also undefeated when they allow 3-GA or less at 40(38-0-2). The Fury completed their 6-game season series against Quad City undefeated at 6(5-0-1), sweeping all 3-games in Quad City, outscoring the Mallards there, 9-1. Dating back to last season, the Fury have a 9-game undefeated streak against Quad City 9(8-0-1). Only two Fury players, Dave Van Drunen and David Wrigley have played in all 70-games this season. When Rockford subdued the Fury Saturday night, 4-1, Muskegon saw its 16-game home ice unbeaten streak against the Ice Hogs come to a close. It also halted a Fury overall 7-game winning streak against the Ice Hogs dating back to last season.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Faced with an ambitious docket consisting of 4-games in 5-days the past week, the Fury responded with an excellent 4(3-1-0) record. Launching the week's activities Wednesday night in Missouri, the Fury decisioned the River Otters, 5-2. Rustyn Dolyny led the cavalry charge with (2-2-4) including SHG/GTG and GWG while Billy Collins (1-1-2)GTG/PPG, David Wrigley (IG), Jeff Nelson (ENG) also connected with Tom Galvin assisting twice. Clayton Pool was blade sharp in goal with 26-saves. Returning home Friday night, the Fury defeated Kalamazoo, 3-2. Todd Robinson (1-1-2)PPG, Wrigley (FG), Robin Bouchard (TBG/GWG) all struck with Nelson adding two assists. Nick Boucher gained the win with 22-saves in goal. Saturday night, the Fury bowed to visiting Rockford, 4-1. Wrigley (PPG) notched his team's sole goal in the contest. Sunday afternoon, the Fury rebounded with a real masterpiece in a 3-0 shutout triumph at Quad City. Boucher posted the shutout with 29-saves while Wrigley (FG/GWG), Collins (IG/UG) and Nelson (1-1-2)ENG were the Muskegon marksmen. Boucher earned his second straight shutout in Quad City with 29-saves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH THE FURY AT FLINT 7:30 PM

The ninth and last time these two long-time rivals will see other for this current campaign and the fourth time they will vie in Flint. The Fury have clinched the season series 8(6-1-1). Muskegon is undefeated at the Perani Arena this year at 3(2-0-1). Muskegon finished its regular season home schedule against Flint at 5(4-1-0).

SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH ROCKFORD AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 4:00 PM

This crucial two-game home-and-home series will help determine the final standings at the top of the UHL once the regular season ends leading to the playoffs. The Fury lead the series 5(4-1-0); going 4(3-1-0) at home and 1(1-0-0) at the Metro Centre.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 3, 2006


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