NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Fury gain three-point lead at the top

February 9, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


FURY FINDINGS: Facing a daunting task of three critical, pivotal games in three days against fellow fractious foes from their own Western Conference alliance, the high-tech, high-octane Muskegon Fury responded in resplendent fashion and with profuse, personified passion. Earning 5 of an available 6-points on a 3(2-0-1) result for the weekend, the men donning the “Furious Ones” coat of arms have irrigated their grip on the top spot in both the Western Conference and overall United Hockey League standings by 3-points over 2nd place, defending league kingpins Fort Wayne with both contending contingents having played the same number of games at 47. Through their first 47-outings the Fury of first-year head coach Todd Nelson have registered a sterling record of 47(31-11-5) totaling 67-points while Fort Wayne stands at 47(30-13-4) 64-points. The past weekend, the K’s saw their 14-game undefeated streak of 14(12-0-2) rendered asunder by the Fury in a 6-4 Friday night victory verdict at Muskegon’s Walker Arena before being stunned on home ice the next night by a Flint invasion, 4-2. Both Muskegon and Fort Wayne still have 29-games remaining with the UHL’s top two teams in the present standings still to lock horns three more times. The Fury aggregation nation has posted a solid 6(4-1-1) mark thus far this season against the Indiana squadron. In the meantime, back in third place is always-ominous Quad City 47(28-16-3)59-points. They are 8-points behind the Fury though they have a most favorable schedule for the remainder of the regular season as the Mallards play 21 of their last 30-games at home where they are currently enjoying an 8-game unsullied streak; 8(7-0-1). Fourth-place Kalamazoo 44(23-15-6)52-points is 15-points behind the “Knights of Nelson” with 3-games in hand. The Wings have dropped 2-in succession after reeling off a 4-game win streak. As far as the overall UHL standings picture is concerned, Muskegon has maintained a 3-points’ advantage over rampaging Richmond 48(30-14-4) 64-points with the RiverDogs riding the wave of an 11-game undefeated streak at 11(10-0-1). The league-leaders face another rugged assignment this week with 3-games in 3-days again on the docket; two of which will be on the road with all three titanic tussles coming against Western Conference clubs. The Fury will wrap-up their 3-game road mission Friday night in Rockford and Saturday night in Quad City before returning home to the friendly climes and environs of Walker Arena for a Sunday 5 p.m. matinee affair against the Missouri River Otters. On Sunday, the first set of all-new Fury trading cards will be given away.

TOP SPOT SPOKEN: Through the first 47-games of the 76-game schedule with 29-games remaining on their docket, the league-leading Fury have compiled a stellar record of 47(31-11-5)67-points and a sparkling .713 winning percentage. Their 31-victories are foremost in the league and are just 7-victories away from equaling last season’s output of 38; 76(38-29-9)85. Their mere 11-setbacks are the least in the league and are two fewer than all other clubs in the UHL. The Lakeshore Icers latest undefeated streak has advanced to 6-consecutively; 6(5-0-1) with their last defeat occurring back on January 22nd in Elmira and a 4-2 outcome. In their last 20-games, the Fury record is an extraordinary 20(14-2-4) and in the last 24-decisions, it is a scintillating 24(16-3-5); last 32-games; 32(22-5-5). The longest win streak of the current campaign has been 5-in a row; a feat which has been accomplished twice by Muskegon’s mighty ones. The Fury by Nelson have also won 4-in a row on two occasions. There has also been three 3-game win streaks. The longest overall unblemished skein has been 10(9-0-1) and the current one is at 6. The Fury’s longest winless spell has been only two in a row which has happened only twice thus far this season. The Fury were 38(26-10-2) through the first-half of the schedule and are presently 9(5-1-3) in the first 9-dates of the season’s second-half. After 47-games a year ago, the Fury were 47(25-18-4)54-points. Thus far this season, the “Fury-men” are 6-wins and 13-points superior to last season’s pace. The monthly marks: February 3(2-0-1); January 13(8-2-3); December 13(9-3-1); November 14(9-5-0); October 4(3-1-0). Since Christmas, the Fury record is 21(14-3-4).

HOME HOSTILE PEDESTAL: The first-place Fury have attained the UHL’s premiere home record at a glistening 22(15-3-4)34-points. Their 15-home wins tie them with Fort Wayne 22(15-5-2) for the second most home victories in the loop, just one behind Richmond 27(16-8-3)35. The Fury’s 3-home defeats tie them with Kalamazoo 19(11-3-5)27 for fewest home losses in the league. Earlier this past weekend, Muskegon concluded a highly-successful 4-game home stand by gathering 7 of an available 8-points through an unsullied log of 4(3-0-1). In the process, they swelled their most recent home ice unbeaten streak to an impressive 12-straight games at 12(8-0-4) with their last setback at home having happened over 7-weeks ago, back on December 19th when visiting Quad City edged them, 2-1. That represents the Fury’s lone loss in their last 17-home episodes; last 17(12-1-4). The longest home victory skein has been 4-in a row. One year ago, following 22-home dates, the Fury had posted a record of 22(14-6-2)30. The Fury are 1-win and 4-points ahead of last year’s home clip.

INVADING PERVADING: The Fury have been finding consistent winning ways on the UHL roadways in 2003-04. Through their first 25-invasions abroad, the Fury have recorded a stellar mark of 25(16-8-1)33-points. Their 16-foreign ice successes equal Quad City 29(16-12-1) for the most road wins in the UHL. In addition the 16-victories away from home bay are already two more than the Fury earned all of last season; 38(14-20-4)32. Presently, Muskegon has won 2-consecutively on the road and are 10(7-2-1) in their 10-bouts abroad. Last 16 on the road; 16(11-4-1). Longest road win streak has been 5-in a row; there has also been 4-game win skein away. One year ago, the Fury foreign ice ledger read 25(10-12-3)23. Currently, the Fury are 6-wins and 10-points ahead of last year’s efforts on alien ice.

CONFERENCE COMPENDIUM: The Fury have really reaped a bountiful harvest within their own Western Conference conclave thus far this campaign. After 34 in-conference affairs, the Muskegonites have composed a gaudy, gilded mark of 34(24-7-3). They are 18(12-3-3) at home and a masterful 16(12-4-0) on the road. In fact, the Fury have achieved a winning record against all conference foes. They have engineered 6-more victories than all of last year within the West; 42(18-19-5)41. The breakdown: Rockford 7(5-1-1); Kalamazoo 6(5-1-0); Missouri 8(5-2-1); Quad City 7(5-2-0); Fort Wayne 6(4-1-1). In the Eastern Conference, the Fury have posted a record 13(7-4-2)16. At home 4(3-0-1); on the road: 9(4-4-1). The breakdown: Columbus 3(3-0-0); Flint 3(2-0-1); Adirondack 3(2-0-1); Port Huron 1(0-1-0); Elmira 1(0-1-0); Richmond 2(0-2-0).

HIGH TECH TEAM: With their high-tech, high-octane attack, Muskegon continues to lead the UHL in goal-productivity, making connection on 190-GF in 47-games for a GFA of a proficient 4.04. In 3-games the past weekend; 3(2-0-1), the Fury shredded their opponents with a 15-goals’ salvo for a GFA of 5.00. In addition, during their present tense 6-game unbeaten streak; 6(5-0-1), the Fury have generated 29-GF for a GFA of a prolific 4.83. Amazingly, the Fury have engineered 3 or more goals in 41 of their first 47-games. On home ice, they have fired 92-strikes in 22-games for a GFA of 4.18. In inimical territory, the Fury have cannonaded 98-GF in 25-expeditions for a GFA of a predominant 3.92.

BRIGHT LIGHTS LIVING: With the most potent offensive arsenal in the UHL, it comes as really no surprise that the Fury are the most dominant team in all major league-wide categories. In fact, the Fury boast of the UHL’s top 3-scoring architects and 4 of the top 8 in the overall marksmanship department. Robin Bouchard 47(39-39-78) contin-ues as the UHL’s leading scoring mogul with linemates Todd Robinson 47(12-58-70) ranked 2nd and Brant Blackned 47(26-41-67) ranked 3rd. Not to be overshadowed is Scott Hollis 47(28-28-56), who has ascended to 8th among the league’s scoring elite. Bouchard’s 39-goals lead the league while Hollis’ 28-strikes stoked tie him for 3rd most in the circuit. Robinson’s amazing 58-assists in just 47-games are 15-more than all others in the league. Blackned’s 41-arrangements rank him 5th best. Bouchard (16) and Blackned (15) rank 1-2 in UHL PPG artistry with Bouchard (5) and Hollis (5) tied for circuit second in GWG. The Fury also have the top 3 in UHL PP/Points; Bouchard (35); Blackned (32); Robinson (29). Robinson’s 27-PP/Assists lead the UHL as well. Bouchard leads the league in SOG with 242. Blackned has surged to 3rd in the league in shooting percentage at 26/128, 21% shooting accuracy. Scott Feasby’s +18 rating ranks 4th among all UHL defensemen. Dave Noel-Bernier, despite a 12-game scoring drought, still leads the league in rookie scoring with 44(13-20-33). His 2-SHG tie him for the UHL rookie leadership. Trevor Johnson’s 29-minor penalties rank runner-up among the first-year pros while his 7-PP/Assists rank as 3rd best in the UHL defensive corps. On defense, Garry Toor has climbed to 8th in point-production with 31(8-19-27). In the goaltending department, Sylvain Daigle continues to flash the leather larceny to the tune of leading the UHL in WINS: 27; MIN: 2325; SAVES: 1200. His 41-GPI rank as 2nd most in the loop. Daigle’s 2.83 GAA ranks as 6th best in the league while his .916 SPCT ranks 3rd best.

STAGING THE ARRANGING: Sharp, slick center Todd Robinson enjoyed a banner weekend for the Fury as he maestroed an extraordinary 8-points in just 3-games on 2-goals, 6-assists, delivering 10-SOG. The Robinsonian output included an electrifying 5-points performance in Friday night’s key, clutch 6-4 triumph over defending champion Fort Wayne on 2-goals, 3-assists; 1-PPG/GTG and 1-SHG/SHG. “T. Rob” was acclaimed Friday night’s #1 Star as he has amassed an astronomical 14-points during his club’s 6-game undefeated streak on 6(3-11-14) for a points per game average of 2.33. In his last 20-road games, he has engineered an amazing 38-points. Robinson is the Fury’s nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

DAIGLE DESSERTS: Goaltender divine Sylvain Daigle is continuing his magnificent play between the pipes in the Muskegon cage. Appearing in all 3-games, again, this week, one of which was in a relief role, the two-time league all-star was sprouting rubber limbs on demand. Friday night, he spearheaded his team to a late, harrowing 6-4 conquest of Fort Wayne before he culminated the busy weekend with a bedazzling 52-saves masterpiece in the Fury’s 5-2 triumph Sunday in Kalamazoo. In that latter one, he was heralded as the game’s #1 Star. For the week, Daigle was 3(2-0-1) with a 2.66 GAA and a star-studded .932 SPCT. Currently on a personal 5-game win streak with a 2.80 GAA in that span, Daigle has been the consummate workhorse, seeing duty in 41 of the Fury’s 47-games and accounting for 27 of his team’s 31- total victories. Once again, this week, Daigle is the Fury’s nomination for UHL Goaltender of the Week.

VOO-DOO KAZOO: Left wing Billy Pugliese has assembled a most interesting if not selective style of season thus far in 2003-04. For the past 3-games in 3-days weekend, “The Pugs Man” authored 4-points on 3-goals, 1-assist with all 3-goals being brewed in the latter two weekend assignments. With 2-of those goals essayed in Sunday’s triumph of Kalamazoo, both on the power play, Pugliese has now pushed his season goal output to 12 with 9 of those being stoked in 6-games this season against the Wings. For the season, Pugliese is 36(12-10-22) with 5-PPG.

AN ACE IN THE PLACE: Defenseman Garry Toor has evolved into a brilliant discovery for the league-leading Fury since his advent to the lineup. This past 3-game weekend he was at his best, generating 3(1-4-5) with 14-SOG, 8-PIM and +2 rating. In the process, Toor has catapulted into 8th place among the UHL’s highest scoring defensemen with 31(8-19-27) an average of nearly one point per game. Toor authored two consecutive 2-assists games; 2(0-4-4) and was named the #3 Star Saturday night at home against Missouri.

THE HOLLY HOUND: Veteran right wing Scott Hollis was integral and instrumental in his team’s 3-games’ undefeated weekend. In that span, the Fury’s 4th top scoring forward collected 6-points on 3(2-4-6) with 12-SOG and 4-PIM. Included in his output were 1-PPG and 1-IG. He was named the Fury Star of the Game Saturday night at home against Missouri. His 10-PPG rank as third most for the Fury club.

THE BLACK-JACK ACT: The UHL’s third leading scoring impresario Brant Blackned is piling up points with great aplomb and alacrity. In the past 3-game weekend, he was 3(3-1-4) with 2-PPG, 1-GWG, 1-FG and 1-TBG. He had 9-SOG. Blackned was hailed the game’s #2 Star Friday night as his second PPG of the night with only 2:01 remaining in the third stanza severed a 4-4 saw-off and vaulted the Fury into the victory circle over Fort Wayne. During this Fury current 6-undefeated streak, Blackned is 6(7-7-14) with a points per game average of 2.33. Moreover, in his last 20(13-23-36) for an average of 1.80.

“BOUCH” BEAT SWEET: The career year for popular icon right wing Rockin’ Robin Bouchard seems to have no bounds. The Fury’s all-time premiere career cannoneer produced 6-more points for the weekend on 3(1-5-6) with 16-SOG and 39-PIM. In his last 24-games, the 10-year veteran has amassed 48-points on 24(26-22-48) for an average of 2-points per game. During the Fury’s current 6-game undefeated, “The Gun-Sling King” has delivered 14-points on (5-9-14).

EXTRA MAN MAJESTY: The Fury continue to percolate a finely, fermented formidable power play that remains atop the UHL with its uncanny scoring knack when on the attack. Muskegon is 59-225 for an imposing 26.2% proficiency rating. The Fury are a torrid 8 for the last 16 with the extra man for a rating of a torrid 50%.Their 59-PPG also lead the league. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury are currently ranked at #6, 195-238 for an efficiency rating mark of a vastly-improved 82.0%. In recent activity, the Fury shorthand band has been superlative, disarming 32 of the last 35 for a rating of 86%; 41 of the last 45 for 91.1% and 67 of the last 73; 91.8%. Muskegon has notched 8-SHG while surrendering 9-GA in that same category.

RECORD BOOK LOOK: Center Todd Robinson 238(85-236-321) is 4th on the Fury’s all-time scoring list and has moved past Brett Seguin (232) for third place on the Fury’s all-time career assist list. His 238-Fury games have moved him into 8th place all-time for the Fury. His shorthanded goal in Friday night’s victory over Fort Wayne was the 13th in his Muskegon career, the most all-time in franchise history. Brant Blackned 191(98-120-218) is just 2-goals away from becoming only the 8th player in Fury history to score 100-goals for Muskegon. Scott Feasby 636(51-207-258) is within one point of tying Justin Morrison (259) for 8th place on the Fury’s all-time scoring list.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM “FIC”: This past weekend, the Fury halted long unbeaten streaks of two in-conference foes as they doused Fort Wayne Friday night, 6-4 to end the Komets 14-game undefeated streak 14(12-0-2) then proceeded to halt Kalamazoo’s 15-game home ice unbeaten mark; 15(10-0-5) with a 5-2 triumph on Sunday. With their Sunday win in Kalamazoo, the Fury have now won 21 of the last 24 overall against the Wings and have won 11 of the last 12 games right in Kalamazoo. The Fury are 10(5-5-0) in the OTSO this year; at home: 5(1-4-0) and on the road, it is the reversal of form at 5(4-1-0). The Fury are the best third period team in the UHL, outscoring their opponents, 66-47. Right wing Rustyn Dolyny’s goal at the :21 mark of the third period, the GWG Sunday in Kalama-zoo ended his 17-game goal scoring drought.

CAP-UP WRAP-UP: The Fury completed an ambitious weekend’s agenda of 3-games in 3-days with an unblemished record of 3(2-0-1). Friday night, on home ice, it was a duel for first place in the UHL as the Fury conquered the Komets of Fort Wayne, 6-4. Todd Robinson (2-3-5)+2 PPG/GTG and SHG/ENG was brilliant with Brant Blackned caging 2-PPG. His second PPG with 2:01 remaining shattered the 4-4 tie and captured victory for the Fury. Scott Feasby (1-1-2)SHG and Garry Toor TBG were the other Muskegon marksmen with Robin Bouchard and Scott Hollis each assisting thrice. The Fury spiced their zesty assault with 3-PPG and 2-SHG. Sylvain Daigle made 24-saves. Saturday night, the Fury capped the 4-game home stand by earning one precious point in the standings through the regulation tie in a 5-4 OTSO against Missouri. The Fury fired 2-more PPG with Scott Hollis (1-1-2) and Bouchard producing them. Billy Pugliese and B.J. Gaustad (TBG) caged singletons with Robinson and Toor each assisting twice. Daigle supplanted starting net-minder Brian Haaland early in the second period. The Fury were out-goaled in the OTSO 2-1. Then on Sunday, the Fury traveled to Kalamazoo and clipped the Wings, 5-2. It was a 3-goal unanswered third period explosion that captured the victory, fracturing a 2-2 tie. Pugliese 2-PPG, Blackned (FG), Hollis (IG) and Rustyn Dolyny TBG/GWG connected for the victors with Toor, Bouchard and Lawmaster each assisting twice. Daigle was dynamic in goal with 52-saaves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 8:00 PM

This will be the eighth session staged and waged between these two in-conference foes this season and the fifth of 6 in the Illini state. Muskegon has garnered a 7(5-1-1) advantage in the series on the impetus of 3- consecutive victories at the Rockford Metro Center. The IceHogs will commence the week having set a franchise record by winning 5-consec-utively on home ice.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH THE FURY AT QUAD CITY 8:00 PM

The eighth of ten collisions to be waged by two long-time archenemies and the fourth of five assignments in Moline, Illinois for the Fury. Muskegon leads the series 7(5-2-0) and has gone a perfect 3(3-0-0) in Quad City. The Mallards have a most favorable schedule for the balance of the season, playing 21 of their last 30-games at home where they are currently on an 8-game undefeated; 8(7-0-1), averaging scoring almost 6.5 goals per game.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH MISSOURI AT THE FURY 5:00 PM

The ninth of a dozen dates for the two teams and the sixth and final one in Muskegon where the Fury are 5(4-0-1) thus far this campaign and have an overall season record against the River Otters of 8(5-2-1). Dating back to last season, the Fury on home ice are 8(7-0-1) in the last 8-home dates against the Missourians.

• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...

International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 9, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Muskegon Lumberjacks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central