Fury continue to compile club records

Published on November 20, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: In an abbreviated two games' work week, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, established two more all-time franchise records. With their come-from-behind 9-6 triumph extracted from the Komets in Fort Wayne Friday night, the Fury achieved their best winning streak ever from the start of the season at 10(10-0-0), while at the same time, attaining a new club record for longest consecutive games' winning streak overall during the regular season at 10-in succession. The latter new standard eclipsed the former Fury team record of 9-consecutive victories which was set just last season, the year of Colonial Cup IV in 2004-05. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury record now stands at sparkling 11(10-1-0) totaling 20-points with a win percentage of a starry .909. Muskegon presently possesses the league's premiere record, though they have played the least number of games in the UHL with only 11. Through the initial six weeks of the 2005-06 campaign, the Fury have maintained their own strong stake on first-place in the Central Division which is emerging rather prominently as the league's most powerful division. They Fury are continuing to wage a major battle for the Michigan-only division leadership with Kalamazoo and Motor City with both Port Huron and Flint very much in the picture of the circuit's most competitive alignment. The Fury have also maintained significant games in hand on the other two UHL kingpins. They currently own 3-games in hand on Eastern Division front-running Adirondack and 4-games in hand on Western Division leading Rockford. On this Thanksgiving holiday week, the Fury will face a daunting docket consisting of four games in five days, equitably divided with two being played on the road and the other two at the friendly climes and environs of their home of Walker Arena. It all starts Wednesday night with a date in Moline, IL against the Quad City Mallards before Muskegon returns home for its annual Thanksgiving night affair with Motor City providing the opposition. Saturday night, the Fury face a showdown on home ice against Rockford then it's on to Missouri Sunday for a 2 pm matinee against the River Otters.

THE PERFECT "10": Before bowing for the initial time in 11-games thus far this season, the first-place Fury had launched their current campaign with a franchise record 10-game winning streak; 10(10-0-0). The "Furious Ones" 10(10-0-0) beginning of the frequent winning represented the best start for any team in the UHL in this 2005-06 season. It also represented the league's best start by an individual team since Elmira commenced the campaign by matching the league's all-time record for best win streak from the start of the season of 12-consecutively; 12(12-0-0). Both Elmira and Quad City continue to share the league record in this department at 12-in a row. Comparing Fury records; they are 11(10-1-0)20-points today. Last year, after the first 11-games, they were 11(9-1-1) for 19-points. Dating back to last regular season, the Fury have attained a brilliant record of 42(32-6-4) in their last 42-games and a sterling 61(45-11-5) mark over the last 61-decisions. In 2004-05, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury actually set their original record for longest win streak at 9-in a row while composing a team-record and league-best 17-game unsullied streak; 17(14-0-3). Last season as well, the "Knights of Nelson" compiled two 10-games' unblemished skeins; 10(9-0-1). FRIENDLY CLIMES CLIMB: When they trembled at home Saturday night against the Kalamazoo Wings, 4-2, the Fury saw their season-broaching 6-game home ice win streak stifled; 6(6-0-0) which represents the second longest home streak of the young UHL season. Furthermore, the setback was only their third in their last 23-regular season home outings; 23(20-3-0), still out-goaling the visiting parties, 104-47. In the last 65-home decisions, they are still a scintillating 65(53-9-3) for a win percentage of .845. The longest home win streak thus far this season is 6-consecutively. The longest win streak of last season at home was 10-in a row.

UNBEATEN BARONS ABROAD: By surmounting a somewhat daunting deficit of 4-1 Friday night in Fort Wayne to ultimately prevail over the Komets, 9-6, Muskegon still remained the lone undefeated road team in the UHL at a perfect 4(4-0-0). Their #1 in the UHL offense has been especially effective on foreign ice, riddling and ravaging their rivals with 24-GF in those 4-tests for a prodigious 6.00 GFA. The Fury are currently two victories shy of duplicating their best winning road standard of last season when they accrued a 6-game road win skein. Their longest unbeaten abroad stretch was 8-straight; 8(5-0-3) last year.

DIVISION DICHOTOMY: With an overall record of 11(10-1-0), the Fury have reaped a bountiful harvest against all divisions in the circuit. In their own Central Division, they have posted a healthy mark of 6(5-1-0)26-13. At home: 3(2-1-0)11-8; road: 3(3-0-0)15-5. The breakdown: Port Huron 2(2-0-0)9-4; road: 2(2-0-0)9-4. Flint 1(1-0-0)6-2; home: 1(1-0-0)6-2; Motor City 1(1-0-0)6-1; road: 1(1-0-0)6-1; Kalamazoo 2(1-1-0)5-6; home: 1(1-1-0)5-6. In the Western Division: 3(3-0-0)24-12; home: 2(2-0-0)15-6; road: 1(1-0-0)9-6. The breakdown: Fort Wayne 2(2-0-0)15-9; home: 1(1-0-0)6-3; road: 1(1-0-0)9-6; Missouri 1(1-0-0)9-3; home: 1(1-0-0)9-3. In the Eastern Division: 2(2-0-0)8-5; home: 2(2-0-0)8-5. The breakdown: Elmira 1(1-0-0)3-1; home: 1(1-0-0)3-1; Danbury 1(1-0-0)5-4; home: 1(1-0-0)5-4.

GOAL GUSH RUSH: When they erupted volcanically for 9-goals Friday night in Fort Wayne, it already marked the second time in just 8-games that the 4-time kingpins had amassed 9-goals in a single game. Their 9-goals deluge represents the most goals scored in a single game by a UHL team so far this season. The Fury also have the distinction of being the highest scoring machine in the league for a third consecutive year running. In 11-games, they have delivered a prolific 58-GF for a GFA of a mighty 5.27. "Todd's Team" has been especially explosive on the road, fusing 24-GF in just 4-outings for a GFA of 6.00. At home, the Fury have engineered 34-GF in 7-games for a GFA of 4.86. Defensively, the Fury rank 4th in the loop with 30-GA in 11-games for a GAA of 2.73.

THE BEST OF THE REST: The Fury are utterly dominating the league's elite in most of the important departments. Muskegon currently is represented by the UHL's top 3-scoring leaders as well as 4 of the top 6 and 5 of the top 9 in the league top 10. Todd Robinson 11(7-20-27) is #1; Jeff Nelson 11(9-17-26) is #2; Robin Bouchard 11(12-12-24) is #3. Rookie Ryan Keller 11(9-11-20) is 6th and David Wrigley 11(10-6-16) is 9th. Bouchard's 12-goals tie him for the league-leadership with Wrigley (10) 4th. Robinson (20) and Nelson (17) are 1st and 2nd respectively in assists. With 5-PPG, Bouchard ranks tied for 3rd in the league. Bouchard (56) and Keller (56) are tied for 3rd in the UHL in SOG. The two rookie sensations, Wrigley (4) and Keller (3) are 1st and 2nd in the loop in GWG. Wrigley leads the UHL in SHG with 3 with Keller right behind with 2-SHG. In goal-scoring marksmanship, Nelson is #1 9/23 for .391 and Wrigley is 4th, 10-34, .294. Nelson is the UHL's best plus player at +15; Dave Van Drunen (13) is tied for 3rd best. In UHL rookie scoring, Keller is #1, Wrigley is #3 and Clay Wilson 11(3-8-11) is 8th. Keller's 4-PPG are 2nd most, his 9-goals are tied for 3rd and his 11-assists lead the rookies. Keller (+9) and Wrigley (+9) are tied for the best plus player among the UHL rookie class. On the defense, Clay Wilson is 5th in scoring and Dave Van Drunen 11(1-7-8) is 12th. In the goaltending category, Kevin LaPointe is 3rd with a 2.12 GAA and Clayton Pool is 8th at 2.91 GAA. LaPointe's .923 SPCT ranks as 4th best.

FURY FORTUNE 500: It was yet another landmark, milestones' weekend for the Fury'a all-time premiere career cannoneer, right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard. The 12-year pro attained two more major milestones, accomplishing the two feats on back-to-back nights. Friday night in Fort Wayne, "Bouch Almighty" authored a brilliant 4-points performance (2-2-4) with his 4th point of the night on line-mate Ryan Keller's third period GWG, representing his 1,000th pro career point. Then on the following night, his second goal of the game was his 500th in his illustrious career. "The Gun-Sling King's" up-to-date career numbers: 772(500-502-1,002). For the two games' week, he was 2(4-2-6) with 11-SOG and an excellent +4 rating. Bouchard is on a season-opening 11-games' point-scoring streak with 11(12-12-24) and has assembled four consecutive multiple-point games; 4(7-4-11). Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

ZERO HERO: Rookie goaltender Kevin LaPointe remains as one of only two net-minders in the league undefeated and untied with a perfect mark of 4(4-0-0). In his lone appearance for the weekend, the Sacred Heart U. standout provided superb relief in his team's stirring come back 9-6 victory verdict at Fort Wayne. Entering the contest with his club trailing, 4-1, LaPointe rebuked 16 of 18-shots to earn the victory. In the process, he improved his road record to 2(2-0-0) with a stingy, stellar GAA of 1.67. LaPointe is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sport Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

SIX-PACK PIVOT: Smooth-move center Jeff Nelson is off to one of the best starts of his extraordinary 14-year career. The UHL's second leading point-maker was awesome and then-some in the Fury's come back 9-6 triumph in Fort Wayne as he was instrumental and integral on his team's first 5-goals in an overall 6-points masterpiece; (2-4-6). In accomplishing this grand performance, J. Nelson became the first in the circuit to attain a 6-points night in a single game. Included in his output were 1-SHG and 1-GTG. For the week, he was 2(2-5-7), and he has now registered scoring points in 10 of the Fury's first 11-games. In his last 8-games; 8(7-14-21).

RUSTO-BRAVISSIMO BRAVO: Returning to the lineup for the first time since opening night on October 22nd and an ensuing 8-games' absence, the Captain, Rustyn Dolyny just picked up where he left off in the scoring column. After delivering the GWG/PPG and 1-assist in the 3-1 opening night victory over Elmira, the former MSU star, essayed 3-points (1-2-3) with a PPG in the 9-6 triumph at Fort Wayne. In his first 2-games; 2(2-3-5).

CLASSY CLAY: Another one of the Fury's prized first-year pros, defenseman Clay Wilson has been at the top of his game since the top of the season. The past weekend, the former Michigan Tech stalwart continued to contribute timely offensive spark along with his always sound and solid defense. The past week, he was 2(0-3-3). In his last 9-games, he is 9(3-8-11). He has emerged as the Fury's top scoring defenseman and ranks 6th overall in Fury team scoring.

T.J. "THE GREAT JOHNSONI": Third-year defenseman Trevor Johnson has stepped up his overall game with great aplomb and alacrity. For the season, he is 11(2-5-7) with both of his goals brewed over the past 4-games with each strike stoked being a power play goal. He is the Fury's third leading scoring defenseman and ranks 8th overall in the team scoring derby; 11(2-5-7).

THE STRONG STRENGTH: For a third consecutive year running, the Fury power play continues as the circuit's foremost. Friday night, the extra man band engineered a season-high 4-PPG to overcome Fort Wayne. For the season, Muskegon is an impressive 21-73 for a proficiency rating of a superlative 28.8%. The Fury are 4 for their last 9 for a rating of 44.4%. Their 21-PPG also are the most in the UHL. On the penalty-killing side, the Fury are #1 for a second year in a row, operating at a supreme 90.3%, surrendering only 9-PPGA in 93-advantages afforded the adversaries. The Fury have also yielded the fewest PPGA. Muskegon leads the league in SHG with 7.

MULTI-MILESTIONES: As previously chronicled and promulgated, Robin Bouchard has attained 1,000 career points and 500-career goals in his distinguished 12-year pro career. Todd Robinson (120) has moved into 4th place on the Fury's all-time scoring list. Rustyn Dolyny (94) needs just 6-more goals to become only the 11th player in Fury history to reach 100-goals. Dolyny's next SHG (9) will tie him with Paul Willett (10) and Sergei Kharin (10) for third place on the all-time team list. Ken Fels played his 300th pro game Saturday night against Kalamazoo. Tyler Palmer (297) is 3-games from 300. Jeff Nelson (293) is 7-goals from career 300.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Last season, the Fury were undefeated when scoring 4 or more goals at 42(41-0-1). Thus far this season, they are still undefeated in this category at 7(7-0-0). When the Fury surrender 3 or fewer goals in a game, their record is an impeccable 8(8-0-0). The Fury are the best third period team in the UHL, outscoring the opposition, 22-8. The Fury have outscored their opponents on the road in the second period, 10-2. The Fury have surrendered the game's FG to the opposition in 9 of their first 11-games. All 5-teams in the Fury's Central Division are either at or above the .500 barrier.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Faced with an abbreviated agenda comprised of two games in two nights, the Fury posted a 2(1-1-0) record; winning on the road and falling for the first time this season with that occurrence coming at home. Friday night in Fort Wayne, the Fury unleashed a 6-goal unanswered barrage to eradicate a 4-1 late first-period deficit, to overcome the Komets, 9-6. The Fury 9-goal assault featured 4-PPG and 1-SHG and 6-points from Jeff Nelson (2-4-6 )GTG/SHG. Also making connection for the "Fury-men" were Robin Bouchard (2-2-4) PPG/TBG; Todd Robinson (1-3-4); David Wrigley (1-2-3)PPG, Rustyn Dolyny (1-2-3)PPG; Ryan Keller (1-2-3)GWG and Trevor Johnson (PPG). Clay Wilson had 2-assists and Kevin LaPointe, in relief in goal, rebuffed 16 of 18-shots to gain credit for the victory. Saturday night at home, the Fury tasted the bitter brine of defeat for the first time this season as they bowed to Kalamazoo, 4-2. Bouchard accounted for both Fury strikes including a first period GTG. Clayton Pool turned aside 27-shots.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD THE FURY AT QUAD CITY 8:00 PM

The two long-time acrimonious archenemies will lock antlers for the first time this season. Last season, the Fury dominated the season series 7(5-2-0). Muskegon was 3(1-2-0) at The Mark of the Quad Cities in Moline, IL. In the opening round of the playoffs, the Fury ousted the Mallards in a taut-fraught 7-game series; 7(4-3-0). It marked the second year in a row that the Fury had won the season series from the "Greenheads" and had also ousted their opposition in the first round of the playoffs.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH MOTOR CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

It's a rich tradition in Muskegon, Thanksgiving Night hockey at Walker Arena. This year, divisional rival Motor City comes to town to furnish the Fury foes. The second clash of the campaign and the first in Muskegon where the Fury swept all three meetings last year. Thus far this season, the Fury are 1(1-0-0) against Danton Cole's Mechanics after a 6-1 triumph back on November 6th in "The Garage" in Fraser. Muskegon has a lifetime record of 8(7-1-0) over its opponent.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH ROCKFORD AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The initial test for both clubs in this featured bout between two of the league's division kingpins. While the Fury launched their season with a remarkable 10(10-0-0) mark, the IceHogs were prospering as well, opening the campaign at 9(9-0-0). Last season, the Fury captured the season series, 7(4-3-0), with a 3(3-0-0) mark in Muskegon.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH THE FURY AT MISSOURI 2:00 PM

This is the second meeting of the season of two inter-divisional opponents with the Fury claiming a 1(1-0-0) lead thus far. Back on October 29th, on home ice, the Fury dismantled the Missourians, 9-3, exploding for six third period goals. Last season, the Fury were 6(3-1-2) against the River Otters and 3(1-1-1) in St. Charles.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 20, 2005


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