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Fury in first place with Flint

December 27, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Continuing an ambitious December docket consisting of 16-games with nine of those played abroad, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have posted a mark of 13(6-4-3) in the first 13-games for the month with three more outings still remaining for the upcoming week; the last week of the current 2004 calendar year. Under the doctrine according to second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury flag also have completed a rigorous regimen of six consecutive contests within their own Michigan-only Central Division, having compiled a superb record of 6(4-2-0); a perfect 3(3-0-0) on the home front and 3(1-2-0) in the environs of hostile territory. The Muskegon men of pro hockey will commence this upcoming final week of this current calendar year, once again, sharing first-place distinction atop the division with the Flint Generals. With both in-state rivals playing the same number of games at 31, the Fury find themselves with both one more win and one more loss than Flint. The Fury-men are 31(17-10-4) totaling 38-points while Flint is 31(16-9-6) for its 38-points. The Generals are 18(10-4-4) in their last 18-games overall and 8(7-0-1) in their past 8-home dates. Meanwhile, third place Kalamazoo 30(14-13-3)31 trails the co-leaders by 7-points. The Wings are 12(5-5-2) in their last dozen dates. Revitalized Port Huron 32(14-16-2)30 has crept to within one-point of Kalama-zoo and 8-points of the co-leaders, Muskegon and Flint. The Beacons have been prospering recently, having won 3-in succession; they are 6(5-1-0) in the last 6-starts with the one flaw inflicted by the Fury. Port Huron is actually 17(12-4-1) in the last 17-verdicts and 10(9-1-0) through their last 10-home appearances. On this final week of this calendar year, the Fury face the daunting task of 4-games in 6-days with the initial two at home and the latter two on foreign ice. This Tuesday night, another resurrected, reincarnated aggregation, the Missouri River Otters come to town before the nearby rivals, the Kalamazoo Wings pay a call Thursday night for the Fury's annual, ever-popular "Carload Special." New Year's Eve on Friday night will see the Fury on the road in Rockford before they journey to Flint Sunday afternoon for their first game in the new calendar of 2005.

FULL RECORD READ: For the past Christmas holiday week, the Fury posted a 3(1-2-0) record for two total points in the UHL standings. For the current campaign, they are 31(17-10-4) for 38-points. In their last 7-starts, they are 7(4-2-1); last 13(6-4-3). The longest win streak of the season has been 5-consecutively. There has also been a Fury 4-game win skein as well as the franchise best start ever this season of 10-consecutive undefeated games; 10(9-0-1.) The longest hiatus between triumphs has been 3-games in a row. Last year, in the season of Colonial Cup III, after 31-games, the Fury by Nelson were stylin' and profiling,' to the tune of 31(21-9-1)43-points. Thus far this season, the Fury 31(17-10-4)38; meaning that they are 4-wins and 5-points under last year's pace.

HALLOWED HOME HALL: With another home ice conquest on Thursday night at the expense of visiting Flint in the form of a 3-2 OTSO success, the "Furious Ones" have now matched their longest home winning streak of the current season at 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0). Overall, they are actually unsullied in 5-straight starts; 5(4-0-1). For the season, the coronated kingpins boast the UHL's second best home record at a majestic 16(12-2-2), out-scoring the alien ice invaders by a considerable advantage of 64-36. Incorporating the schedule from late last season, the Fury have achieved a gaudy home log of a brilliant 25(21-2-2) in their last 25-home adventures, out-goaling the vexed visitors by a virtual 2 to 1 margin at 101-52. The Fury's longest unbeaten streak at home is 7(6-0-1). They are an impeccably perfect 8(8-0-0) at home within their own Central Division.

ROAD BREW ASKEW: The Fury road warfare seems unfair these days as they have managed a mere single victory in their last 7-dates in hostile territory; 7(1-4-2), manufacturing a meager 10-GF in that drab and dreary span, while surrendering only 18-GA in those last 7-road offerings. The Fury are averaging a somewhat impoverished 1.43-GFA in that span. Moreover, with a 12(2-8-2) register in their last dozen dates abroad, the Fury have recorded only 21-GF for a GFA of 1.75. For the season, the road record stands at 15(5-8-2) after broaching the title-defending season with 3-consecutive foreign ice successes in as many starts. Longest road hiatus from victory has been 4-consecutively.

DIVISIONAL DUTIFUL: Having recently concluded a strenuous stretch of six consecutive games within their own Central Division with a 6(4-2-0) mark, the Fury have elevated their intra-divisional composite record to a gaudy 15(12-3-0), out-scoring their fellow divisional delegates by a 54-35 differential. They are a perfect 8(8-0-0) at home and 7(4-3-0) abroad. Outside the divisional boundaries, they have accrued a mark of 15(5-6-4) against Western Division competition and 1(0-1-0) against Eastern Division member clubs. The breakdown: Central Division: Kalamazoo 5(5-0-0)19-8; home: 2(2-0-0)9-4; road: 3(3-0-0)10-4. Motor City 2(2-0-0)11-4; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; Flint 5(3-2-0)13-16; home: 2(2-0-0)5-3; road: 3(1-2-0)8-13; Port Huron: 3(2-1-0)11-7; home: 2(2-0-0)10-4; road: 1(0-1-0)1-3. The Western Division breakdown: Kansas City 4(3-0-1)17-8; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 2(1-0-1)8-5; Quad City 3(2-1-0)10-4; home: 2 (2-0-0)10-2; road: 1(0-1-0)0-2; Missouri 2(0-1-1)3-5; road: 2(0-1-1)3-5; Fort Wayne 4(0-2-2)10-17; home: 3(0-1-2)8-13; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4; Rockford 2(0-2-0)2-6; road: 2(0-2-0)2-6. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are 1(0-1-0) with the single setback sustained at home against Adirondack.

THE GF / GA ARRAY: Having managed a mere 5-GF in their last 3-games, the Fury have fallen to 5th in the UHL for GF with a GFA of 3.16. In their last 8-games, the Fury have collected only 18-GF for a GFA of a somewhat desolate 2.25. However, defensively, Muskegon has been extraordinary, ranking a lofty 4th best in the loop, yielding 78-GA in 31-games for a GAA of 2.52. In those same last 8-games, the Fury have allotted only 19-GA for a GAA of an avarice 2.37. The Fury rank 8th in the UHL for shots on goal with a per game average of 29.5. Muskegon ranks 4th in the UHL for fewest shots on goal against at a per game yield of 27.3.

ACES IN HIGH PLACES: UHL defending scoring magnate Robin Bouchard 31(16-18-34) presently is listed #8 in this year's banner chase with Jeff Nelson 31(9-22-31) ranked 14th and Scott Hollis 31(11-18-29) ranked 18th. Bouchard's 8-PPG tie him for 2nd most in the UHL while Brant Blackned's 7-PPG tie him for 5th best. Bouchard leads the UHL in PP/Points with 22; Blackned (19) is tied for 3rd in the same category. Bouchard's 14-PP/Assists rank 2nd with Blackned's 12-PP/Assists tying him for 3rd best in the league. Jason Lawmaster's 34-minor penalties lead the UHL. In UHL rookie scoring, Billy Collins 29(10-8-18) ranks as 8th best with his 5-PPG tying him for rookie runner-up at this juncture of the campaign. Collins 10-total goals rank 5th and his 10/57 shooting percentage of 17.5% is 4th finest among this season's freshmen. In the league's goaltending department, Clayton Pool continues to rank #1 in the UHL with a GAA of a frugal 1.88 and a SPCT of .933. Brent Belecki is ranked 9th with a solid GAA of 2.54.

ZOOM-BOOM "BOUCH": The Fury franchise all-time "Gun-Sling King" right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard took and shook the slumber from his lumber the past week as he delivered 3-points on 2-goals and 1-assist in the last two games of the week. In the process, he earned #1 Star accolades Thursday night in the spine-tingling thrilling theater 3-2 OTSO verdict over visiting Flint. In that affair, "Bouch-Almighty" engineered 1-goal, 1-assist in regulation time before cannonading another strike in the extra time. Then on Sunday in Port Huron, he accounted for his team's sole goal in a 3-1 setback. For the week, he was 3(2-1-3) with 1-OTSO goal and 12-SOG. Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE POOL PUCK PAPERS: First-year pro Clayton Pool is continuing his polished play for the home town team between the pipes. The past week, the former standout at the U. of Alberta fashioned another stellar effort and performance as he backstopped his team to a dramatic, suspenseful 3-2 OTSO triumph Thursday night at home against archrival Flint. Saluted as the game's #3 Star, the UHL's top-ranked net-minder rebuked 35 of 37-shots in regulation time before brushing aside all 4-Flint attempts in the extra session. For the week, Pool was 2(1-0-0) with a 3.01 GAA and .907 SPCT. For the season, his personal record reads a sparkling 13(8-2-1) with victories in his last 4-straight starts. His 2-overall losses tie him for the least in the league. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE B.J. RESUME: Versatile center / left wing B.J. Gaustad turned-in another stellar, hard-working week of activity and productivity for the "Todd-Team." He laced a key, touch-in-the-clutch strike Thursday night on home ice to ignite his team's comeback counterattack crescendo which expunged a Fury 1-0 deficit and sparked them to a come-from-behind 3-2 OTSO success over Flint. Gaustad also generated an excellent +2 rating in the contest. For the week, he was 3(1-0-1) with a +1 rating.

NOLAN ‘KNOWIN': First-year defenseman Nolan Brown has been showing much promise and potential on the Fury blue line as his first full season progresses. For the season, in 30-games, thus far, he is 30(2-2-4) with 61-PIM and a strong and stellar +6 rating. Only Dave Van Drunen (+11), Jordon Flodell (+11) and Jeff Nelson (+8) have superior premium plus ratings than Brown who is carding an excellent +6 rating at this hour of the campaign.

SPECIALTY SPELL: Muskegon's vaunted specialty teams are experiencing their first real plateau of the current campaign. Nevertheless, the Fury still retain the top perch in each important category. The power play is #1 in the league at 40-159 for a proficiency rating of 25.2%. However, for the first time this season, the Fury highly-touted and highly-regarded power play has been blanked for the last three consecutive games, going 0-10 in that span. In the meantime, the penalty-killing coterie is still at the top of the league charts at 148-167 for an efficiency rating of a masterful 88.6%. The opposition is 3 for the last 10 for a PK rating of 70.0%. Muskegon has collected 4-SHG while permitting 3-SHGA.

MINING MILESTONES: Captain Rustyn Dolyny (226) is just 2-games away from tying Paul Kelly (228) for 11th all-time for Fury games played. Brant Blackned (148) is one assist from tying John Vary (149)for 10th all-time in Fury history. With his next Fury PPG, Scott Hollis (29) will vault into 5th place on the Fury's all-time PPG list. Defenseman Kevin Haupt (298) is just 2-games shy of pro career 300. B.J. Gaustad (99) next game will be his 100th as a pro.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the Fury trembled at Port Huron Sunday, 3-1, it marked their first loss this season against a below .500 team; 9(7-1-1). Against the rest of the UHL, they are 22(10-9-3). The Fury's 3-2 OTSO win Thursday night over Flint was only their second OTSO win in 6-such adventures thus far this season with both wins coming at home against the same Flint team. The Fury have out-scored the opposition 27-12 in the second period at home and 42-20 through the initial two periods combined on home ice. Muskegon has allotted 3-GA or less in 26 of its first 31-games thus far this season. Brant Blackned 3/5 and Robin Bouchard 3/6 lead the Fury in OTSO goals thus far this season.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: For the Christmas week, the Fury carded a record of 3(1-2-0), registering only 5-GF while allowing 11-GA. They launched the week Wednesday night in Flint where the Fury were humbled, 6-1. Defenseman Jordon Flodell accounted for the vanquished Fury's lone goal, despite the fact that Muskegon outshot the Generals, 37-32. Returning home the next night to cap the critical and pivotal 2-games' home-and-home series, the Fury prevailed with the flamboyant flair for the dramatic and a gigantic 3-2 OTSO success over the Generals. Robin Bouchard (1-1-2)TBG and B.J. Gaustad (GTG) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen with Bouchard and Rustyn Dolyny both connecting in the extra session while goaltender Clayton Pool rebuffed all 4-Flint attempts. Then on Sunday, in Port Huron, the Fury bowed to the Beacons, 3-1. Bouchard blistered his second goal in as many games for the Fury in the unfounded cause.

THE FURY GAME DATES FOR THIS WEEK:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28TH MISSOURI AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The third clash of the campaign between these two inter-divisional adversaries and the first of three dates in Muskegon where the Fury were undefeated last season against the River Otters at 6(5-0-1). Thus far, this season, the Fury are 2(0-1-1) in two decisions against the league's most improved team from last season. Both of those previous encounters were staged in St. Charles. Under the direction of first year head coach Kevin Kaminski, the Missourians touch down downtown Muskegon with a brilliant record of 12(10-1-1) in their last 12-games. Muskegon is only 10(1-5-4) in its last 10-decisions against Western Division competition.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The sixth of nine sessions to be staged and waged between two nearby foes and the third of four clashes to be hosted by "Team Title." Muskegon has dominated to this juncture with a masterful record of a perfect 5(5-0-0). They are 2(2-0-0) at home at Walker Arena. The Fury have an UHL lifetime home record over Kalamazoo of 24(19-4-1).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31ST THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 8:00 PM

The third of seven collisions for these two rivals with all three being played to this point in the Illinois state. The IceHogs lead the series, 2(2-0-0) capturing both contests by replica results of 3-1. Rockford begins the holiday week just a single point back of Fort Wayne for the Western Division leadership.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2ND THE FURY AT FLINT 4:00 PM

The sixth of nine duels for these two fierce, long-time foes and the fourth of five to be played in Flint. The Fury lead the series 5(3-2-0). Muskegon is 2(2-0-0) at home and 3(1-2-0) at the Perani Arena. The Generals begin the week riding the wave of an 8-game home ice unbeaten streak; 8(7-0-1). Overall, head coach Robbie Nichols contingent has a supreme record of 18(10-4-4) in the last 18-games.

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