Fury game notes

November 14, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES II:

By completing another grand sweep of all three of their games for the past week, the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have now culminated the initial five weeks of the 2005-06 UHL season in record-breaking, history-making, undefeated fashion. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the torrid, molten-lava hot men of the Fury fraternity have captured their first nine contests consecutively; 9(9-0-0) and in the process have shattered the all-time club record for most consecutive wins from the start of the season at 9-in succession. At the same time, the "Knights of Nelson" have equaled the franchise standard for most consecutive victories during the course of the regular season with those current 9-victories in a row. Muskegon originally established the latter mark just last season in the 2004-05 regular phase. With their present tense 9(9-0-0) mark totaling 18-points, the Fury have emerged prominently as the last undefeated team in the UHL at this hour of the campaign. As the defending Central Division and Tarry Cup Champions as well, the Fury have solidified their stranglehold on first-place in the Central Division standings by attaining a 6-points' advantage over second-place Kalamazoo 8(6-2-0)12-points with the Wings holding one-game in hand on Muskegon's finest. With 3-games in hand on third-place Motor City 12(5-6-1)11, the Fury have increased their lead over the Mechanics to 7-points. Motor City is currently in the throes and woes of a 4-game losing streak. The Fury own a 9-points lead over Flint 10(4-5-1)9 and Port Huron 11(4-6-1)9. In the overall UHL standings, the "Muskegonites" have soared to within 2-points of Western Division leading Rockford 11(10-1-0)20 for the overall league-leadership with 2-games in hand on the IceHogs. The Fury do share second-place distinction overall in the standings with Eastern Division-leading Adirondack 11(9-2-0)18 with 2-games in hand on the Frostbite. Two more games are on tap this weekend for the UHL record 4-time champions as they get set to tackle two of the most formidable opponents in the league. Friday night, the Fury travel to Fort Wayne for Colonial Cup IV revisited before returning home Saturday night for a titanic tussle with nearby archrival Kalamazoo at Walker Arena. The latter will be the Fury's lone home appearance for the week before Thanksgiving.

PERFECTION DIRECTION:

With another winning undefeated week, the Fury are still perfect at ((9-0-0) for 18-points. Their current 9-game win streak sets a new club record for most consecutive victories from the start of the season while matching the current club mark for most consecutive victories during the course of the regular season. The all-time UHL record for most consecutive wins from the start of the season is 12 shared by the Quad City Mallards and the Elmira Jackals. One year ago, after 9-games, the "Furious Ones" had compiled a record of 9(8-0-1) en route to a team record 10-games' undefeated streak to launch the new season at 10(9-0-1). Dating back to last regular season, "Todd's Team" has composed a magnificent mark of 40(31-5-4) in the last 40-decisions and 59(44-10-5) over the past 59-contests for a winning percentage of .851. In 2004-05 of Colonial Cup IV, the kingpins longest victory skein was 9- in a row with their longest unsullied streaks a league-best and club record 17(14-0-3) and two 10-game undefeated streaks; each at 10(9-0-1).

HOME HEALTH WEALTH:

Though limited to a single home appearance for the week, the Fury responded with a stirring come-from-behind 5-4 victory verdict Friday night against Danbury. With their latest win, Muskegon has heightened its overall home record to an impeccable 6(6-0-0), outscoring the foreign ice invaders 32-15. Only Rockford has been superior in their home lair at 7(7-0-0). Dating back to last season, the Fury have been virtually indomitable on home ice with an extraordinary record of 22(20-2-0), outscoring the visiting teams, 102-43. Moreover, in their last 64-home decisions, they are a sizzling 64(53-8-3) for a winning percentile of .851. The longest home win streak of last season was 10-consecutively in 2004-05.

ROADWAY LIGHTS:

By sweeping a pair of road encounters in Port Huron the past weekend, the Fury also remained unblemished abroad with a flawless and faultless 3(3-0-0) record, out-goaling the adversaries away by the count of 15-5. Last season, they posted a road winning record of 40(20-14-6). Their longest win streak on foreign ice last year was 6-in a row and the longest unbeaten streak was 8(5-0-3). Muskegon's two triumphs in Port Huron were by results of 6-3 on Saturday night and, again, 3-1 on Sunday evening.

DIVISION DIVIDERS:

With their perfect 9(9-0-0) record, the Fury have been successful in dispatching all member clubs representing each of the divisions' respective delegations. In their own Central Division, the Fury have main-tained their remarkable mastery at 5(5-0-0) 24-9. At home: 2(2-0-0)9-4; 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; Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0)3-2; home: 1(1-0-0) 3-2; Motor City 1(1-0-0)6-1; road: 1(1-0-0)6-1. In the Western Division: 2(2-0-0) 15-6; home: 2(2-0-0) 15-6. The breakdown: Fort Wayne 1(1-0-0)6-3; home: 1(1-0-0)6-3; Missouri 1(1-0-0) 9-3; home: 1 (1-0-0)9-3; 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 GRADE MADE:

For a third consecutive year running, the high-octane, high-voltage Fury offense leads the league in goal productivity, having generated 47-GF in just 9-games for a GFA of a mighty 5.22. At home, they have collected 32-GF in 6-outings for a GFA of 5.33. On the road, they have produced 15-GF in 3-games for a GFA of 5.00. On the defensive side of Muskegon matters, the Fury rank a lofty third best in the loop, having yielded only 20-GA in 9-games for a GAA of 2.22. At home, they have allotted only 15-GA for a GAA of 2.50. Abroad, the Fury have been even better, allowing only 5-GA in 3-games for a GAA of 1.67. In the shots on goal category, the Fury rank third with a per game average of 35.7. Defensively, they are permitting an average of 29.4 shots on goal against a game, ranking circuit sixth.

TOP-FLIGHT FURY:

Muskegon is utterly dominating the league's elite in all of the most critical categories. Cur-rently, the Fury have all three of the league's top point-producers and four of the top five point-meisters overall. Todd Robinson 9(6-16-22) is 1st, Jeff Nelson 9(7-12-19) is 2nd and rookie phenom Ryan Keller 9(8-10-18) is ranked 3rd. Robin Bouchard 9(8-9-17) is 5th and David Wrigley 9(9-4-13) is 12th. Wrigley's 9-total goals tie him for 3rd most in the league and his 4-GWG and 3-SHG both lead the league in those two important departments. Bouchard (4) and Keller (4) are tied for 4th in the UHL in PPG. Robinson's 16-assists pace the league with Nelson's 12-helpers runner-up. Keller's 2-SHG rank circuit 2nd. Nelson continues to lead the league in shooting marksmanship, 7/18 for a rating of .389 with Wrigley rated 3rd in the same category, 9/29 for .310. Dave Van Drunen (+15) leads the league with Wrigley (+12) rated 4th and Nelson (+11) listed 5th. Robinson leads the league in SH/Points with 4 and Wrigley is 2nd with 3. In rookie scoring, Keller is #1, Wrigley is 3rd and Clay Wilson 9(3-5-8) is 13th. Keller's 4-PPG, 47-SOG, 6-PP/Assists, 10-total assists and 10-PP/Points lead the rookies in all of those categories while Wrigley leads the rookies in goal-scoring. Wrigley is #1 in rookies plus; Keller is 3rd at +9. In defense scoring, Wilson is 6th with Van Drunen 9(1-7-8) and Trevor Johnson 9(1-5-6) 15th. In goaltending, Kevin LaPointe is 4th with a 2.00 GAA and Clayton Pool is 6rh at 2.33. Pool's 6-wins tie him for the league-leadership and his .925 SPCT ranks 5th famous.

THE FLYIN' RYAN REVUE:

Rookie left wing Ryan Keller continues to impress with his precocious, prominent play. In 3-games the past weekend, he was 3(3-4-7) with 21-SOG and a solid, stellar +2 rating. Included in his output were 2-PPG, 1-SHG and 1-GWG. Friday night, he was named the #1 Star in spurring the Fury's comeback counter-attack crescendo which produced a 5-4 triumph. In that one, Keller emanated and culminated the 3-goal third period resurgence with a PPG and SHG with the latter proving to be the GWG. The following night he netted #2 Star honors with (1-1-2) in the 6-3 verdict over the Flags. Sunday, still in Port Huron, he assisted twice more in the 3-1 Fury victory. He is currently enjoying a 9-game point-streak; 9(8-10-18) which reflects his entire pro career at this juncture. In addition, in his last 5-games, he is 5(7-5-12). Keller is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

POOL PORCH PROTECTION:

Continuing to be very vigilant in his quest for excellence in the Fury cage, goaltender Clayton Pool fashioned two more outstanding performances when he backstopped his team to back-to-back victories the past weekend. In the process, he raised his record to a league-best 6(6-0-0) with the 6-wins foremost in the UHL. For the past week, he was 2(2-0-0) with a 3.50 GAA and a SPCT of .925. He now has a career record in the Fury goal of a golden 24-6-5 for a win percentage of s masterful .757. After capturing the award last week, Pool is, again, nominated for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

MAKING A POINT:

Another one of the first-place Fury's rookie prizes is goaltender Kevin LaPointe, the first-year pro from Sacred Heart U. out of Fairfield, CT. In his most recent start Sunday night in Port Huron, he was outstanding, rejecting 37 of 38-shots and earning the #3 Star award in the 3-1 verdict over the Flags. For the season, he has hiked his record to a perfect 3(3-0-0) with a GAA of a shrinking 2.00 and a SPCT of .923.

TODD TOPS TEAM:

Off to a tremendous start this season is the Fury's pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot Todd Robinson. In 3-games the past week, he was 3(2-4-6) with 11-SOG a +1 rating and 12-PIM. The league's leading scoring star has amassed an amazing 21-points in his last 8-games; 8(6-15-21) for a per game average of a league-best 2.63 points per game. All 6 of his season's goals to this point have been accounted for through three 2-goal performances. The Fury's second all-time leading scoring architect is 6(4-8-12) in the last 6-games.

JEFF JAMMIN" Veteran 14-year center Jeff Nelson is enjoying a torrid start of the season. The league's second leading scorer achieved another superlative week of on-ice dominance with 3(2-4-6) and a +3 rating. In his last 6-games, he is 6(5-9-14) for an average of 2.33 points per game. Included in his season's numbers to this point 3-PPG and 1-MG. For the entire season, he is averaging over 2-points each game.

CANNONEER COLUSSUS:

The "Gun-Sling King" Rockin' Robin Bouchard is also enjoying these exciting times for his Fury squad. The past weekend, he was 3(3-3-6) with 18-SOG and a +3 rating. He was named the #1 Star in each of the two games series that the Fury extracted victories from in Port Huron. In his last 8-games, he is 8(8-9-17). He did achieve yet another milestone over the weekend when he assisted on the GWG Sunday in Port Huron for his 500th career assist. Bouchard's career totals presently read 770(496-500-996). He is just 4-goals away from 500 and 4-points from 1,000.

BLUE LINE LIVERY:

The Fury defense has evolved into a very versatile ensemble cast with players who seem to answer the bell for any and all occasions. Dave Van Drunen, Clay Wilson and Trevor Johnson have been both integral and instrumental both offensively and defensively with Jon Insana 6(0-4-4) +6, Steve O'Rourke 9(0-1-1) +3 and rookies Brett Angel and Joe Pomaranski also blending in masterfully with great aplomb and alacrity. Muskegon has emerged as the third best defensive outfit in the UHL this season.

TOP HOP CROP:

The Fury specialty teams have been tantamount to the overall success of the two-time Champions at this stage of the season. In fact, both the power play and penalty-killing units are ranked in the UHL's top spot in their respective disciplines. The power play is 17-61 for a proficiency rating of a polished and productive 27.9%. Their 17-PPG tie them for the league-lead. In the meantime, the penalty-killing cast has not been overshadowed as it is operating at an efficiency rating of a brilliant 91.1%; 72-79. The Fury have allotted the least PPGA, a scant 7 in the first 9-games. Muskegon's shorthanded bandit continues to truly thrive, connecting on a league-best 6-SHG thus far this season.

THE MILESTONES MINT:

Todd Robinson's 2-goals Friday night against Danbury lifted his Fury career output to 119, vaulting him over Andrew Luciuk (117) for 4th place on the Fury's all-time list. Jeff Nelson (291) is 9-goals from pro career 300. Rustyn Dolyny (96) is 4-goals hence from #100. Jeff Petruic (298) needs 2-assists for 300. Ken Fels (298) is 2-games shy of 300. Robin Bouchard (1,280) is 20-minutes away from 1,300 PIM in his Muskegon career.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC":

The Fury have a perfect 5(5-0-0) within their own Central Division following a mark of 32(24-6-2) against the Central last year. The Fury have been dominant in all 3-periods this season, outscoring the opposition; 1st: 17-9; 2nd: 12-6; 3rd: 18-5. Five of the Fury's league-high 6-SHG have been accounted for by the rookie combination of David Wrigley (3) and Ryan Keller (2). Last season, the Fury were undefeated when they score 4 or more; 42(41-0-1). Thus far this season the same holds true as the Fury are 6(6-0-0). Despite their perfect 9(9-0-0) record, the Fury have surrendered the game's FG to the opposition in 7 of those 9-games.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: The Fury raised their perfect record to a remarkable 9(9-0-0) by sweeping 3-games in 3-nights the past weekend. Friday night, in their lone home appearance, they surmounted a 3-2 third period deficit with a 3-goal siege to defeat Danbury, 5-4. Ryan Keller (2-1-3)PPG/SHG/GWG and Todd Robinson each scored twice while Trevor Johnson caged a singleton. The Fury percolated to the tune of 3-PPG. Pool made 32-saves in the Fury goal. Playing their first of a two-game series on the weekend in Port Huron Saturday night, the Fury exploded for 3-third period goals and 4-unanswered in all to erase a 3-2 deficit and defeat the Flags, 6-3. Robin Bouchard (2-1-3), Jeff Nelson (1-1-2), Keller (1-1-2), Jeff Petruic and David Wrigley (GWG) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen with Robinson authoring 3-assists. Pool turned aside 25-shots in goal. Sunday, the sweep was complete when the Fury struck, again, with 3-unanswered goals to overcome an early 1-0 shortfall in an ultimate 3-1 success. Bouchard (GTG/PPG), Nelson (TBG/GWG) and Wrigley (SHG) connected for the Fury with Kevin LaPointe making 37-saves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH THE FURY AT FORT WAYNE 8:00 PM

The second meeting of the season for the foes from the Finals last season when the Fury eliminated the Komets in 5-games, at 4-games to 1. Muskegon is actually returning to the scene of Colonial Cup IV for the first time since last May 22nd when they captured the crown. In the previous clash this season, back on October 28th in Muskegon, the Fury prevailed, 6-3. The Komets are coached by 6th year bench pilot Greg Puhalski who has become the top winning coach in UHL annals.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

This is the second clash of the season for the two nearby archenemies with the Fury leading the series 1(1-0-0) on the strength of a 3-2 verdict over the Wings in Kalamazoo's only previous trip here back on November 5th. The Wings are the best defensive team in the league, grudgingly yielding only 12-GA in 8-games for a GAA of a stingy 1.50. Musk-egon is 39(31-6-2) in its last 39-episodes written against the Kalamazooans.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 14, 2005


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