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Fury earn four of six points for week

December 6, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Thoroughly immersed in their most ambitious month of scheduling for the 2004-05 United Hockey League season, the defending Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury, have maintained a minuscule one-point advantage atop the league's Central Division on the strength of earning 4 of an available 6-points for the past three-games' week. Composing an unsullied week of 3(1-0-2), Muskegon has advanced its overall season mark, through the first-quarter pole of the 80-games schedule marathon to 21(12-6-3) totaling 27-points. Under the doctrine according to second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men cast in the color code of the Fury will launch week number two of their strenuous 16-games' December docket leading second-place Flint 22(12-8-2)26-points by a single point with one precious in hand game on the Generals who are 9(6-3-0) in their last 9-games but 5(2-3-0) in their most recent 5-starts. Muskegon's pro hockey headliners are presently protecting a 6-points' advantage over third-place Kalamazoo 20(10-9-1)21-points with the Wings having one game in hand following the completion of a 6-games' road junket in which they posted a record of 6(2-3-1). Within their own Michigan-only Central Division, the Fury have fostered a flourish as their 8(7-1-0) record would reflect. The Fury trail the other two UHL divisional leaders, Eastern Division pace-setting Danbury 24(16-7-1)33 and Western Division front-running Rockford 23(15-5-3)33 by 6-points with 3-games in hand on the fledgling Trashers and 2-games in hand on the IceHogs. This week the "Knights of Nelson" face a daunting three-games' workload with the first one in the home lair and the latter two abroad as the front end of an extended four-games' expedition. This Friday night has all the ingredients for a classic showdown as the Fury host nearby rival Kalamazoo before trekking to Rockford Saturday night then on to Missouri for a Sunday matinee presentation.

RECORD-RANKING: The past week, the Fury compiled a 3-games' mark of 3(1-0-2), out-scoring the opponents, 8-6. For the season, their record stands at 21(12-6-3)27. After the first 21-games last season, the year of Colonial Cup III, they had a record of 21(14-7-0)28. Currently, Muskegon is 2-wins and only 1-point behind last season's clip. They also have absorbed one less loss as compared to last campaign. In their last 5-games, the Fury are 5(1-2-2)12-13 and since broaching the new season with their best start ever in the form of a 10-game unbeaten streak; 10(9-0-1), their record read is 11(3-6-2) being out-scored 32-29. The longest win streaks of the season have been 5-in a row and 4-in succession while the longest losing spell has been 3-consecutively.

IN FRONT OF FURY FANS: In the "Muskegonites" lone home appearance for the week, they dueled to a draw in the form of a 0-0 regulation deadlock against Fort Wayne before the Komets gained the bonus point in the OTSO. The Fury are now 2(0-1-1)2-4 in their last 2-starts on the home lake and 4(2-1-1)14-7 in their most recent 4-decisions at Walker Arena. For the season, they are a stellar 12(8-2-2)18, having out-goaled the invading parties, 48-28. Dating back to last season, the "Furious Ones" have attained a robust record of 21(17-2-2) in the last 21-home dates, out-scoring the opponents by nearly a 2 to 1 margin, 85-44. The longest home winning streak of the season thus far has been 4-in a row, along with a 7-games' unsullied skein at 7(6-0-1).

ROAD REVIVAL: Having endured a somewhat uncharacteristic 4-game losing spell on the road, the Fury have fought back fiercely to earn 3 of a possible 4-points in their latest two sojourns abroad. It was deemed a successful journey to the "Show-Me-State" of Missouri where the crowned kingpins engineered a resounding 7-3 domination of Kansas City the past Wednesday night, before securing one more important point away from home bay in a 2-1 OTSO outcome in St. Charles against the River Otters. For the season, the Fury have balanced their road books to a more than respectable 9(4-4-1)9. Longest road win streak of the first-quarter has been 3-in a row; longest foreign ice hiatus from victory has been 4-consecutively.

THE DIVISION MISSION: The Fury are really reaping a bountiful harvest within the confines of their own Mich-igan-only Central Division. Thus far, they have gained a sparkling 8(7-1-0) record, out-scoring their fellow divisional delegates, 33-18. However, outside their own divisional walls, the Fury club has lacked consistency and congruity. After launching the campaign with an unbeaten 5(4-0-1) mark against the Western Division, Muskegon has been just 7(1-4-2) in their last 7-verdicts. The breakdown: Central Division: Kalamazoo 2(2-0-0)7-4; road: 2(2-0-0)7-4; Motor City 2(2-0-0)11-4; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; Flint 3(2-1-0)9-8; home: 1(1-0-0)2-1; road: 2(1-1-0) 7-7; Port Huron 1(1-0-0)6-2; home: 1(1-0-0)6-2. Western Division breakdown: Kansas City 3(3-0-0)16-6; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 1(1-0-0)7-3; Quad City 3(2-1-0)10-4; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; road: 1(0-1-0)0-2; Missouri 1(0-0-1); road: 1(0-0-1)1-2; Fort Wayne 4(0-2-2)10-17; home: 3(0-2-1)8-13; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are 1(0-1-0) with the setback incurred against Adirondack.

THE GOALING GUIDE: Having registered only one goal in their past two games, the Fury are now ranked third in the UHL in goal-scoring prowess with 73-GF in 21-games for a GFA of 3.48. In their past 5-games, the Fury have scored only 12-GF for a GFA of a rather sluggish 2.40. In the last 11-games; 11(3-6-2), they have netted 29-GF for a GFA of 2.64. However, on the defensive side of the ledger, the "Fury-men" have been stout and stellar, allowing only 3-GA in the last 2-games; GAA of 1.50 and just 13-GA in the last 5-outings for a GAA of 2.60. For the whole season, Muskegon is ranked a lofty third in the league with 53-GA in 21-games for a GAA of a miserly 2.52. In the shots on goal category, the Fury rank tied for 8th with a per game output of 29.5 while ranking a strong circuit second for fewest shots on goal against at 26.5.

TOP FLOCK FLIGHT: UHL defending scoring titlist Robin Bouchard 21(13-16-29) is currently ranked 4th in UHL league-wide point-production with Brant Blackned 21(10-13-23) and Jeff Nelson 21(6-17-23) tied for 15th among the league elite. Bouchard's 7-PPG tie him for 3rd most with Blackned's 6-PPG tying him for 5th finest. Blackned is tied for 2nd in the loop in GWG with 3. Bouchard leads the UHL in PP/Points with 20 with Blackned ranked as 4th best with 16. Bouchard is 2nd in the UHL in PP/Assists with 13. In the SHG department, Rustyn Dolyny (2) is tied for runner-up. Jason Lawmaster's 27-minor penalties lead the league and his total of 129-PIM rank as #5 overall. Billy Collins 21(8-6-14) is 5th in UHL rookie scoring with his 8-goals tying him for 3rd most and his 4-PPG tying him for 2nd most in this year's freshmen class. Collins 8/40 goal-scoring shooting percentage of .200 also ranks him rookie runner-up league-wide. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, Clayton Pool is ranked #1 in the UHL with a GAA of a microscopic 1.58; his SPCT of .942 is also tops in the league.

ELEVEN ELITE: Muskegon's smooth-move centerman #11 Jeff Nelson has been the mighty master magician of his team's Fury fortunes in recent action. The past 3-games' week, he was 3(0-4-4) with 8-SOG and an excellent +5 rating. Included in his week's work was a brilliant 3-assists masterpiece in the Wednesday night 7-3 domination in Kansas City as he earned an extraordinary +4 rating for the night. In his last 5-games, he is 5(0-8-8). For the season his overall +8 rating ranks 2nd best on the club and #1 for the Fury among all forwards. His 17-assists are 6th most in the UHL. Nelsonian Puck Plutonium II is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

POOL PUCK POLICE: First-year goaltender Clayton Pool has made a lasting impression with his human puck-blockade act. In his lone start of the week, he was truly bedazzling in rebuking all 38- Fort Wayne shots in a rare regulation scoreless duel on Saturday night at the "Hockey Barn of Bedlam." For his first-ever pro career shutout, he was heralded as the "Star of the Game." Currently ranked as the UHL's top goalkeeper, he has suffered only a scant single setback in his first half-dozen starts; 6(4-1-1). Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sport Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

"BIG BEAR" BONANZA: It was another week of Fury hockey which must mean yet another career milestone for the "Big Bear Barrage," Brant Blackned. The 10-year standout pro, now in his 4th campaign in the Fury coat of arms ascended into a tie for third place on the Fury's all-time goal-cannoneering list when he struck in the Wednesday night Fury flight over Kansas City and the ultimate arrest of the Outlaws. Blackned's goal was the 117th of his distinguished Muskegon career and tied him with Andrew Luciuk for #3 all-time. Additionally, he has climbed from 11th to 8th place on the Fury's all-time career points list with 262.

THE "JOHNNY I-GUY": Third-year defenseman John Insana enjoyed a banner week for the hometown team, both offensively and defensively. The former Michigan State standout was especially enterprising with his expertise Wednesday night in Kansas City where he orchestrated a masterful 3-points' performance with 1-goal, 2-assists. For the season, he has emerged as the Fury's foremost offensive blue line laureate with 21(2-4-6), essaying 1-PPG and 1-GWG.

JORDON THE HUN: Another third-year pro defenseman, Jordon Flodell is at the top of his game with his ominous presence and persistent punishment. Known more for his physical style profile, he has emerged as one of the real rock-ribbed ramparts of a stingier and stingier blue line brigade. For the season, he is 21(0-4-4) with 42-PIM and a team-tying best +9 rating.

FIRSTS FOR FIRST FROSH: It evolved into a rather special time and week for three Fury first-year pros in this, 2004-05 season. In order of the actual historic event, first it was rookie center Billy Collins collecting his first-ever pro three-goal "hat-trick" last Wednesday in the 7-3 Fury romp past Kansas City. Second, it was defenseman Nolan Brown's first-ever pro goal, the Fury's sole goal in a 2-1 OTSO affair in Missouri on Friday night. Third, it was goaltender Clayton Pool's first-ever pro career shutout in a 1-0 OTSO outcome on home ice against Fort Wayne. Referring, again, to Brown, his season rating of +6 ranks as #3 on the team.

SPECIALTY TEAMS TIGHT: Once again, this week, "Team Title" leads the UHL in both power play expertise and penalty-killing efficiency. With the extra man, Muskegon is 30-110 for a proficiency standing of a staunch 27.3%. The Fury are 6% superior to all other member clubs in this category and also lead the UHL in actual PPG. In the shorthanded situations, they are a remarkable 101-113 for a rating of 89.4. Opponents are only 1 for the last 16 for an effective mark of 93.8%. Muskegon's 4-SHG tie them for 4th most in the league. They have surrendered 2-SHGA.

MAJESTICALLY MILESTONES: When he steps on the ice for the Fury's next game action Friday night at home against Kalamazoo, Jeff Nelson will play pro career game #900. Scott Hollis (293) is 7-assists away from career 300. Kevin Haupt is just 2-assists away from career 100. Brant Blackned's next GWG will, again, tie him with Andrew Luciuk (17) for third place on that all-time Fury list.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": On home ice this season, the Fury have out-scored the visitors in the first two periods combined, 33-15; 13-6 in the first period and 20-9 in the second stanza. Muskegon is unbeaten this season when they score 4 or more at 11(10-0-1). The Fury's 7-goal deluge Wednesday night in Kansas City represented their highest single game scoring output of the season. The Fury are 7(5-1-1) on home ice on Saturday nights this season. Against below .500 teams in the UHL, the Fury have a perfect record of 6(6-0-0). Against the rest of the league, they are 15(6-6-3). Muskegon's 3-goal opening period uprising Wednesday in Kansas City nearly equaled their entire first period goal output on the road for the whole season entering that game of 4.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: The coronated kings compiled a 3(1-0-2) record for the week as they prevailed in the first bout and fought to a regulation draw in the latter two. Wednesday night in Kansas City, they apprehended the Outlaws, 7-3. Billy Collins fired the 3-goal "hat-trick" (2-PPG/GWG) while Rustyn Dolyny (2-2-4)FG/SHG, Jon Insana (1-2-3) and Brant Blackned also made connection. Brent Belecki brushed aside 20-shots in goal. Friday night in Missouri, the Fury were involved in a 2-1 OTSO result with Nolan Brown (FG) providing the Fury's lone offensive thrust. Belecki was superb with 23-saves. Back at home on Saturday night, the Fury were faced with their second straight OTSO in as many nights in a rare contest that saw 60-minutes of regulation scoreless hockey with Fort Wayne furnishing the Fury foe in an eventual 1-0 OTSO final. Clayton Pool was electrifying in the cage, rejecting all 38-Komets shots.

THE FURY GAME DATES FOR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The third of nine clashes for two West Michigan rivals and the first of four offerings in Muskegon. The Fury have claimed a 2-0 lead in the season set following consecutive conquests in both contests on the road. Muskegon has captured the season series from the Wings in each of the latter's first four years in the UHL. However, in 6-meetings in Muskegon last season, Kalamazoo did extract 3-victories from Walker Arena.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 8:00 PM

The second of seven sessions for the Fury and the IceHogs with the Illinois entry leading the series, 1-0. In the lone previous encounter, November 19th, also in Rockford, the Fury fell, 3-1 with the 3rd GA finding the Fury's vacated cage. Last season, the Fury won the season series, 10(7-2-1), going 6(4-2-0) in Rockford. Also, Muskegon has claimed the season series in 4 of the first 5-years since the IceHogs were transferred to the U.S. from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Fury have never lost the season series from Rockford.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12TH THE FURY AT MISSOURI 1:30 PM

The second collision in 10-days for the two teams with both in St. Charles. In the last episode, the Fury did come away with one treasured point on the road in a 2-1 OTSO. Dating back to last season, the Fury are 8(6-0-2) in their last 8-dates against the River Otters and 18(14-2-2) in the last 18-decisions. In Missouri, the Fury are 4(3-0-1) in their last 4-outings and 10(7-2-1) in the last 10-trips to "Mizzou."

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