Fury impressive in opening night win

Published on October 23, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: The past weekend, the UHL and minor pro hockey's top winning team, the two-time reign-ing Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury, formally inaugurated their 14th consecutive campaign of operations with a single game duel against Eastern Division rivals, the Elmira Jackals. Earning a convincing 3-1 conquest on opening night before a near capacity crowd of 4,320, the Fury have, once again, broached the infant season on a high and impressive note. Having claimed three league championships over the past four seasons and an all-time UHL league record four Colonial Cup coronations crammed into the last six calendar years, the Muskegon pro hockey dynasty registered franchise victory #542, the most wins ever recorded in league annals. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, it appears that the Fury club has served notice of its commitment and determination to make history this new season in the form of becoming the first-ever UHL team to capture the "tri-fecta," or three consecutive crowns. Despite an abbreviated inaugural weekend docket, the Fury do find themselves as one of five league teams that completed the season's first weekend unsullied by attaining both undefeated and untied status. With the past weekend's opening night success gained over Elmira, the Fury have officially instituted the 46th consecutive year of professional hockey in the Lakeshore community and surrounding environs. In the midst of a true schedule rarity, due to a season-launching 5-game home stand, the "Furious Ones" will continue their work at Walker Arena this weekend with a pair of affairs. Friday night, it will be branded as Colonial Cup IV revisited as Muskegon rekindles rancor with the two-time defending Western Division Champions, the Fort Wayne Komets. These are the two long-time successful squads who locked antlers in the Colonial Cup Finals last May with the Fury emerging triumphant 4-games to one. Then on Saturday night, the always-menacing Missouri River Otters come to town to close-out the two game weekend assignment for the home town team.

THE RECORD RINGS REGAL: Dispatching Elmira on opening night, 3-1, the Fury have sustained their magical winning manner at the outset of the new season. In posting a league-best mark of 80(51-20-9) for 111-points last season, the Fury established all-time club records for most wins and points in a single season. They were an extraordinary 50(35-10-5) through the final 50-games and 31(22-5-4) in the last 31-outings. In 2004-05, the Fury also set a brand new club record for fastest start ever when they launched the season with a 10-game undefeated streak at 10(9-0-1). For all of last season and their Central Division and Tarry Cup crowns, the league kingpins longest win streak was 9-in a row while their longest unbeaten streaks were a league-best and club record 17-games; 17(14-0-3) and two 10-game undefeated skeins; 10(9-0-1).

THE HOME HOTSPOT: Last season, the Fury achieved the UHL's premiere home ice mark at a lusty 40(31-6-3) with their 31-wins representing 3-more than all other clubs and a new club record. Longest win streak at home was 10-in succession and the most predominant home unblemished skein was 16-games; 16(15-0-1). Including this season's opening night victory, the men of the Fury code have earned a sterling record of 59(48-8-3) in their last 59-acts on stage at Walker Arena for a win percentage of a sizzling .839.

BUS STATION VACANT: Playing their initial five games at home, the Fury bus is staying parked at the station until Sunday, November 6th when they journey to Fraser to be entertained by former Fury Colonial Cup II coach Danton Cole and his Motor City Mechanics. Last season, once again, the Fury road show reveled as their 40(20-14-6) would testify. Longest win streak abroad last year was 6-in a row and the longest unbeaten streak was 8-straight; 8(5-0-3).

DIVISION PRECISION: Having embarked on the new season with that opening night success at the expense of Elmira, the Fury have continued, for the moment, their mastery of Eastern Division competition. Last season, they were a supreme 15(12-3-0) against their fellow fractious foes from the East. Muskegon was especially effective within their own Central Division, Michigan-only division, compiling a gaudy log of 32(24-6-2). They were 33(15-11-3) against Western Division opponents in 2004-05.

OBJECT OF THE GAME FAME: Entering the 2005-06 season, the Fury have led the UHL offensively in goal-scoring prowess for the past two years in succession. In the season of Colonial Cup III of 2003-04, they ripped the chords to the tune of 298-GF for a GFA of 3.92. In Colonial Cup IV of 2004-05, the home team fashion a flashy 285-GF for a GFA of 3.56. Defensively, Muskegon was the stingiest squadron in the circuit last season, grudgingly surrendering only 195-GA, the second fewest in franchise history, for a GAA of a miserly 2.44.

STOUT-STUDDED STARS: Through the first weekend of the season, and having only been involved in just the one, single contest, the only Fury standouts on the leader board are Jason Lawmaster who's 4-minor penalties opening night rank him league runner-up in that select category. However, in the goaltending department, Clayton Pool has climbed to the top with his stellar 3-1 victory verdict Saturday night against Elmira. Pool leads the league with a 1.00 GAA while his .955 SPCT ranks him #2 in the loop in that department.

RUSTO BRAVISSIMO BRAVO: Returning for his fifth Fury season, the Captain, Rustyn Dolyny has commenced the campaign with a ringing crescendo. A member of the last three Colonial Cup title timber teams, the former Michigan State star was hailed the #3 Star Saturday night when he struck with a late second period power play goal which proved to be the GWG. Engineering a goal and an assist for his night's work, Dolyny is just 4-goals away from pro career from 100. Currently he stands at 96 and counting. Dolyny is the Fury's first nomination this season for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

RATIN' CLAYTON: Making his first-ever pro start on opening night, Clayton Pool was poised, composed and the utter master of his own domain as he backstopped "Team Title" to the first-game triumph over Elmira. Proclaimed the game's #1 Star, last season's Fury winner of the Team Rookie of the Year Award and Great Saves Award rebuffed 21 of the Jackals 22-shots to raise his career record to 3(3-0-0) against the Elmirans with a minuscule GAA of 1.00. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

"J. NEL" ANSWERS THE BELL: Beginning his 14th pro season, smooth-move center Jeff Nelson is enjoying a fast getaway to the start of the season. For the second time in the last three years on opening night, he gained the distinct-ion of delivering his team's first goal of the new season. The "J. Nel" power play strike late in the first stanza lifted the Fury into a 1-0 advantage which they would never relinquish. He later assisted on the ultimate GWG on the Dolyny power play thrust. Nelson was instrumental on the Fury's opening two goals of the season.

"GUN-SLING KING" COUNTDOWN: Having started his 12th pro season and his 10th with Muskegon, the Fury's all-time goal and point-scoring colossus "Rockin" Robin Bouchard is approaching yet more major marquee milestones in his enormously illustrious career. Celebrating his 32nd birthday Saturday night, on opening night, the flamboyant francophone earned one assist on his team's initial goal of the season. In the process, "Bouch Almighty" inched to within 21-points of pro career 1,000. Moreover, with 488-goals, he stands on the precipice of the monumental milestone of 500. When receiving his latest championship ring in special pre-game ceremonies on opening night, Bouchard officially became the only Fury player to be a member of all 4-team titles while at the same time being the first and only player to have his name engraved on the league's most coveted chalice 5-times.

LINEUP UPDATE: On the week leading to opening night, the Fury procured two top-polished scoring forwards. The first acquisition was rookie left wing Ryan Keller who was assigned to Muskegon by AHL Grand Rapids. Keller was 67(40-33-73) for Saskatoon of the WHL last season. The second acquisition was 12-year veteran right wing Jeff Petruic who was signed as a free agent by Muskegon. A former UHL goal-scoring and point-scoring champion with since-defunct Asheville in 2001-02 when he was 62(57-57-114), the 31-year-old marksman marvel has authored 365-goals and 297-assists for 662-points in 624-pro games. Petruic is expected to make his Fury debut on home ice Friday night against Fort Wayne.

POWER PLAY PRODUCTION: Having led the UHL in each of the last two seasons in the important power play department, the Fury seemed to maintain such magical, mystical mastery on opening night. In fact, their first two goals of the season were percolated with their extra man band. For the night, they were 2-8 for 25.0% proficiency. Last season, they were 82-351 for a conversion ratio of 23.4%. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing cast, also ranked #1 last season with an efficiency rating of 89.0%, (355-399), was 8 for 9 Saturday night for a mark of 88.9% or right on schedule.

THE MILESTONES MOMENT: Center Todd Robinson played Fury career game #298 Saturday night, leaving him just 2-games away from becoming only the 5th player in team history to play 300-games. In addition, with his one-assist, the Fury's 2nd all-time leading scorer is merely 6-assists from the Fury 300. "T. Rob" has averaged, remarkably, virtually an assist per game since his arrival in Muskegon 6-years ago. The countdown is on for center Jeff Nelson as Saturday night was his 957th pro career game. He is just 43-away from 1,000 games. Fury head coach Todd Nelson's next victory will make him the fastest coach in club history to attain 100-victories. Only Rich Kromm, during his 3-year stay with Muskegon, garnered more victories. However, Coach Todd has the best win percentage of all Fury coaches at a glistening .690 on a record of 157 (99-40-18).

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": On the strength of their 3-1 opening night triumph over Elmira, the Fury have stretched their overall win streak over the Jackals to an amazing 11-games in a row; 11(11-0-0), outscoring their Empire State rivals, 51-19. At home, alone, the Fury are on an 8-game win skein; 8(8-0-0) outscoring Elmira, 41-16. Dave Van Drunen notched the Fury insurance goal opening night. He scored only 2-goals all of last season. In their last 4-games against Elmira, dating back to last year, the Fury power play is percolating to the tune of 7-16 for a proficiency rating of a blistering 43.8%. At the same time, the Jackals are only 1-19 with their man advantage, giving the Fury a rating mark of 94.7%.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Facing just the single game on the opening weekend of the season, the Fury celebrated Colonial Cup IV one more time by raising 3-more championship banners and being presented the latest rendering of their championship rings. After that, the Fury proceeded to dominate Elmira, 3-1. Jeff Nelson (1-1-2) FG/PPG, Rustyn Dolyny (1-1-2)PPG/GWG and Dave Van Drunen (IG) connected for the victors with Clayton Pool rebuking 21-shots. Muskegon out-shot the Jackals, 46-22; 17-5 in the first period.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

This is the first time these two long-time rivals will lock horns since the Fury toppled the Komets in last May's Colonial Cup Finals, won by the Fury 4-games to one. However, during the regular season, the Fort Wayners utterly dominated Muskegon as the Fury were held winless in 6-clashes at 6(0-3-3), including an uncharacteristic 4(0-2-2) mark at home. While the Fury did eliminate Fort Wayne in the post-season for a second spring in a row, the Komets captured their first regular season series from the Fury in 6-years, reflecting their existence as a member of the UHL.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH MISSOURI AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

Last season, these two teams collided six times with the Fury ultimately prevailing 6(3-1-2). Here at home, the Fury were 3(2-0-1). The River Otters are coming off an opening weekend that saw them drop a pair of 5-2 home ice affairs against Motor City on their opening night and Saturday night against divisional rival Rockford.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 23, 2005


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