Fury gain sole control of first place

Published on December 5, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: It was yet another stout and strong week for the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury. Under the guidance of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury colors collected 5 of an available 6-total points in a 3-games' work week that resulted in a record of 3(2-0-1) for the week. In the process, the Fury squadron assumed sole control of first-place in the UHL's Central Division standings by elevating their overall season mark to a league-best 18(16-1-1) totaling 33 of a possible 36-points and a slim 1-point advantage over second-place Kalamazoo 20(16-4-0)32-points with still 2-games in hand on the Wings. Having played the fewest games in the league, the Muskegon men of pro hockey have catapulted over Western Division front-running Rockford 12(15-5-1)31-points for second-place in the composite 14-teams' UHL standings with 3-games in hand on the Ice Hogs who are 12(6-5-1) after launching the campaign with a club record 9-game win streak. Meanwhile, Muskegon has crept within a single point of Eastern-Division pace-setting Adirondack 22(17-5-0)34-points for the overall league-leadership while still enjoying the exponential potential of 4-games in hand on the Frostbite. With their league-best winning percentage of .917, the Fury sextet confronts a daunting assignment of 4-games in 5-days this upcoming week with 3 of those abroad on alien ice leaving only one appearance on home ice at the amiable climes and environs of Walker Arena. The docket is launched Wednesday night in Port Huron where the Fury will be hosted by their Central Division adversaries, the Flags. Friday night will be the lone home encounter for the week when another division foe, Motor City comes calling. Saturday night, it's a Rockford rendezvous with the ‘Hogs before the Fury culminate the week where it originated back in Port Huron on early Sunday evening.

DYNAMIC DELUXE: The two-time reigning kingpins are sustaining their remarkable start to this 2005-06 cam-paign. Having suffered a scant single setback through their initial 18-games, the "Furious Ones" have compiled a season mark of a brilliant 18(16-1-1) for 33-points. Their latest unbeaten streak has progressed to 6(5-0-1) following a season-inaugurating, club record 10-game win skein and then a 5-game victory streak. Incorporating the latter part of last regular season, the Fury have assembled a brilliant record of 49(38-6-5) in their last 49-decisions and a sterling 68(51-11-6) mark over their last 68-regular season outings. After the first 18-games a year ago, Muskegon had attained a mark of 18(11-6-1) for 23-points. Presently, the Fury are 5-wins and 10-points superior to last year at this time. Longest win streak thus far this season is an all-time club record 10-in succession with a second longest win streak of 5-consecutively. In 2004-05, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury's longest win streak was 9-in a row while compil-ing a team-record and league-best 17-games undefeated skein; 17(14-0-3). Last season, as well, the "Knights of Nelson" posted two 10-game unblemished streaks; both were 10(9-0-1). This October, the Fury were 3(3-0-0). In November, the record was 12(11-1-0). Thus far for December the Fury are 3(2-0-1).

WINNING AT WALKER: For the past week, the Fury were unsullied in two more home starts at 2(1-0-1), earning 3 of a possible 4-points. For the season, they upgrade the home log to a lustrous 11(9-1-1) for a total of 19 from a maximum 22-total points. The longest home ice streak thus far this season has been 6-consecutively. Only Kalamazoo at 8(8-0-0) and Rockford 12(10-1-1) have gained superior home marks as compared to the Fury. Muskegon is a gaudy 27(23-3-1) through their most recent 27-regular season home verdicts dating back to last season, outscoring the invading parties, 115-53. In the last 69-home decisions, they are still a stunning 69(56-9-4) for a win percentage of a gleaming and glowing .841. The longest home win streak thus far this season has been 6-in a row. The longest home win streak last season was 10-in succession.

INVADE AND PERVADE: The past weekend, the first-place Fury-men added yet another triumph to their impecca-bly perfect road show act when they overpowered the Komets in Fort Wayne, 8-5. By so doing, they heightened their foreign ice log to a masterful 7(7-0-0) as the best road team in the UHL. Their current 7-game road win streak is just one win away from matching both the franchise record for most consecutive victories away from home from the start of a season and overall regular season road win streak of 8-straight set back in the 2001-02 season, the year of Colonial Cup II. That particular season, the Fury captured their first 8-consecutive foreign ice affairs. Muskegon's high-powered offensive machine has been especially prominent and pervasive on the road, amassing a prolific 43-GF in those 7-undefeated games for a GFA of a prodigious 6.14.

DIVISION PRECISION: With an overall mark of 18(16-1-1), the Fury continue to realize the riches of divisional domination pertinent to all three league alignments. In their own Central Division, they have posted a healthy record of 8(6-1-1)32-17. At home: 5(3-1-1)17-12; road: 3(3-0-0)15-5. The breakdown: Motor City 2(2-0-0)10-2; home: 1(1-0-0)4-1; road: 1(1-0-0)6-1; Port Huron 3(2-0-1)11-7; home: 1(0-0-1)2-3 (OTSO); road: 2(2-0-0)9-4; Flint 1(1-0-0)6-2; home: 1(1-0-0)6-2; Kalamazoo 2(1-1-0)5-6; home: 2(1-1-0)5-6. In the Western Division, the Fury remain unsullied at 8(8-0-0)48-23; home: 4(4-0-0)20-8; road: 4(4-0-0)28-15. The breakdown: Fort Wayne 4(4-0-0)24-14; home: 2(2-0-0)7-3; road: 2(2-0-0)17-11; Missouri 2(2-0-0)15-6; home: 1(1-0-0)9-3; road: 1(1-0-0)6-3; Quad City 1(1-0-0)5-1; road: 1(1-0-0)5-1; Rockford 1(1-0-0)4-2; home: 1(1-0-0)4-2. In the Eastern Division: 2(2-0-0)8-4; home: 2(2-0-0)8-5. The breakdown: Danbury 1(1-0-0)5-4; home: 1(1-0-0)5-4; Elmira 1(1-0-0)3-1; home: 1(1-0-0)3-1.

HIGH OCTANE GAIN: For a third year in succession, the Fury are the highest scoring aggregation nation in the league. They lead the UHL with 88-GF in 18-games for a GFA of a league best 4.89. To expound on the Fury's high-tech, high-octane firepower, in 8 of their first 18-games or over 44% of their outings, the Fury have fueled an explosive 6 or more goals in a single game. To be exact, they have already accrued two 9-goal barrages, one 8-goal carnage and five more 6-goal powder kegs. On the defensive side of matters, Muskegon ranks a lofty circuit second, yielding only 45-GA in those 18-games for a GAA of a frugal 2.50.

PINNACLE PLAYERS: Once again, this week, the Fury feature the top three individual scoring talents in the UHL. Both Robin Bouchard 18(20-18-38) and Todd Robinson 18(8-30-38) share the league leadership in the point-product-ivity derby with Jeff Nelson 18(12-24-36) ranked a close 3rd. Despite his summoning recently to AHL Grand Rapids, Ryan Keller is 9th 16(12-13-25) and David Wrigley is 14th 18(14-8-22). Bouchard's 20-goals are foremost in the loop with Wrigley's 14 tied for 3rd most. Robinson (30) and Nelson (24) are ranked 1-2 in assists. Bouchard's 12-PPG pace the UHL and his 93-SOG lead the league in that department. Keller (5) and Wrigley (5) are tied for the league-lead in GWG while Wrigley's 3-SHG rank runner-up in the league. Nelson is #1 in goal-scoring shooting marksmanship, 12/39, .308 and Wrigley is #4 14/58, .241. The Fury also have 3 of the top 5 in the UHL plus/minus category; #2 Dave Van Drunen +18, #3 Nelson +17 and #5 Wrigley +16. In the UHL rookie scoring department, Keller is 2nd and Wrigley is 3rd. Keller's 5-PPG rank 3rd with Wrigley ranked tie for 2nd in goals and Keller (12) listed 4th. Wrigley is #1 among rookies for best plus rating; Keller (+10) is 4th. On the defense, Trevor Johnson 18(3-10-13) is UHL 8th, Clay Wilson 13(3-9-12) is 9th and Van Drunen is 12th, 18(3-8-11). As far as the goaltending category is concerned, rookie Kevin LaPointe is ranked 2nd in the league with a sharp GAA of 2.07 with Clayton Pool ranked 8th at 2.71. Pool is tied for the league-leadership in victories with 10 while LaPointe's .915 SPCT is 3rd and Pool's .914 SPCT is 4th best.

ROBINUMBERS: The Fury all-time "Gun-Sling King," right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is continuing his full frontal Fury assault nearing the quarter-pole of the current campaign. The past week, the Fury's all-time career scoring svengali maestroed 8-points in 3-games; 3(4-4-8), including an electrifying 6-points masterpiece crowned by a 3-goal power play "hat trick" in his team's 8-5 domination of the Komets in Fort Wayne on Friday. It was Bouchard's second "hat-trick" against Fort Wayne so far this season as he equaled his line-mate Jeff Nelson for best individual game points' performance in the UHL this year. In 4-games against the K's this season, he is a prolific 4(8-7-15). For the season, the recently-saluted UHL Player of the Month for November has achieved an extraordinary, season-opening, league-best 18-games' point-scoring streak; 18(20-18-38). Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE RULE OF POOL: Second-year goaltender Clayton Pool has raised his personal record this season to a superlative 11(10-1-0) while backstopping the Fury to their lofty status atop the Central Division standings. In two starts the past week, both against Fort Wayne, he posted a 2(2-0-0) mark with a thrifty 2.50 GAA and a .912 SPCT. He topped his weekend work with a sound and solid 23-saves, 1-0 shutout extinguishing of the Komets on Sunday afternoon to earn the game's #1 Star. It was Pool's third career shutout and his second against the Fort Wayners. Thus far, in his brief two-year Fury pro career, he has represented the utter embodiment of winning with a record of a masterful (28-7-5) for a win percentage of a star-studded .766. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / Goaltender of the Week.

TREVOR TREMORS: Third-year defenseman Trevor Johnson is getting his "groove thing" moving majestically in recent action. Only in recent activity, he has emerged as the Fury's premiere point-producing member of the blue line brigade with 18(3-10-13) and a much-enhanced +6 rating. In Friday night's 8-5 triumph in Fort Wayne, "T. J. The Great Johnsoni" authored 3-points including the key touch-in-the- clutch GWG for yet another Fury road success. Of Johnson's 3-goals, there have been 2-PPG and the 1-GWG.

JEFF JUGGERNAUT: Twelve-year veteran right wing Jeff Petruic appears to be rounding into form and re-discovering his goal-scoring aptitude with a rejuvenated attitude. The former 2001-02 UHL scoring champion made his 5th goal of the season a memorable, monumental, momentous Muskegon moment. He stoked the strike late in the first period Sunday afternoon and it was the sole goal of the game in the Fury's tight, tense, 1-0 victory verdict over Fort Wayne. In scoring career goal #370, Petruic also delivered his first GWG since his acquisition by "Team Title."

STEADY, STURDY & STELLAR: Smooth-move center Jeff Nelson continues to perform his craft flawlessly and faultlessly in spearheading his team to the top of the mountain. For the past 3-games' week, he was 3(1-4-5) including an adept and adroit 4-points' production in the Friday night win in Fort Wayne. In his initial two trips to that Indiana city this season, "J. Nel" has been the architect of 10-points on 3-goals, 7-assists. For the season, his 6-PPG rank as 2nd most on the torrid team of the Fury.

SPECIALTY SPECTACULAR: The Fury special teams have been extremely efficient and proficient all season long. The power play has been at the top since opening night, currently operating at a supreme 29.9%, converting on 34-114. Their 34-PPG pace the loop with 18-triggered at home and 16-more torched on the road ways. The penalty-killing cast has also radiated ranking runner-up at 87.5%. The opposition is only 17-136 with the Fury surrendering the least PPGA in the UHL. The shorthand band has further distinguished itself for its flair for the offensive production as Muskegon leads the league in SHG with 8. They scored 10 in that latter category all last season.

MAKING MILESTONES: Center Jeff Nelson (296) is just 4-goals hence from pro career 300 and just 15-points from 900; (885). Rustyn Dolyny (99) with his next goal will become only the 11th player in Fury history to score 100-goals. Jeff Petruic's next assist will be his 300th in his career. Tyler Palmer played pro career game #300 Saturday night against Port Huron. Todd Robinson's SHG Saturday night against Port Huron was the 15th of his Fury career, the most in team history.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the Fury earned 1-point through their 3-2 OTSO outcome Saturday night against Port Huron, they became the last team to participate in the OTSO in the UHL this season. The Fury are the best third period team in the league, outscoring the opposition, 32-12. The Fury are undefeated on every day of the week so far this season except Saturday when they are 7(5-1-1) overall and 6(4-1-1) at home. The Fury are 7(7-0-0) when they score the game's FG. They are 10(10-0-0) when leading after the first period and 11(11-0-0) when leading after the second stanza. When they score 3 or more goals, the Fury are 16(16-0-0).

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Playing 3-games in 3-days, the Fury produced another unbeaten week composed of a mark of 3(2-0-1). Friday night in Fort Wayne, for the second time in 2-weeks, they ravaged the Komets. This time it was an 8-goal deluge leading to an 8-5 triumph. Robin Bouchard (3-3-6) 3-PPG/FG, Jeff Nelson (1-3-4)PPG, Trevor Johnson (1-2-3)GWG, Rustyn Dolyny (1-1-2), David Wrigley and Ryan Keller all connected with Todd Robinson dishing 3-assists. Clayton Pool rebuked 29-shots. Returning home for the balance of the weekend, the Fury were momentarily and temporarily derailed Saturday night in a 3-2 OTSO outcome against Port Huron. Muskegon did earn the one precious point in the standings on the strength of a 2-goal second period rally which surmounted a 2-0 shortfall. Robinson (SHG) and Bouchard (PPG/GTG) furnished Fury firepower and they were only two connecting in the OTSO as well. Kevin LaPointe had 26-saves in the Fury goal. On Sunday afternoon, the Fury blanked Fort Wayne, 1-0 behind Clayton Pool's stellar 23-saves performance and Jeff Petruic's late first period goal. The Fury outshot the visitors, 25-23.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM

The Fury will emanate and culminate the week's activities with a pair of contests on the road at McMorran Place Arena. Muskegon leads the 10-game season series, 3(2-0-1), having swept an earlier two-games' weekend series there back on November 12th and 13th by results of 6-3 and 3-1 respectively. The Flags are coached by former Fury 1998-99 Colonial Cup I All-Star center Paul Willett. The Fury will play in Port Huron 6-times this season, the most times in any city in the UHL.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH MOTOR CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The Fury's lone home game for the week will find them renewing acquaintances with their former head coach from Colonial Cup II in 2001-02, Danton Cole and his Mechanics. The Fraser-based squad starts the week riding the crest of a 3-game win streak. Muskegon is 2(2-0-0) against the "MC 6" thus far this season, outscoring them, 10-2. The Fury prevailed in Fraser on November 6th, 6-1 before downing the Mechanics Thanksgiving night in Muskegon, 4-1.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 8:00 PM

The second clash of the season and the first in Rockford where the Fury posted a mark of 4(1-3-0) last season. Thus far this season, the Fury have gained a 1-0 lead on the impetus of a 4-2 decision, November 26th in Muskegon. Last season, the Fury captured the season series, 7(4-3-0).

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 5, 2005


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