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Fury look to hold lead down the stretch

March 27, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Completing a strenuous stretch of four games in five days, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have climbed into sole control of the UHL league leadership in their bid for a second consecutive Tarry Cup crown, emblematic of regular season supremacy and sovereignty. Under the auspices of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury have compiled a brilliant season slate of 66(46-13-7) totaling a league-best 99-points and a three points' advantage over second place Kalama-zoo for both the Central Division and overall league-leads. With three full weeks and 10-more games remaining on their docket before the advent of the post-season playoffs, the Fury will play exactly one-half of their remaining games (5) against two of their closest pursuers; namely Kalamazoo 66(45-15-6) 96-points and Western Division front-run-ning Rockford 67(44-16-7) 95-points. With a four points' edge on Rockford, the Fury will lock antlers with the high-tech Ice Hogs four times during their final 9-games of the regular season in April with the first two of those meetings set for Muskegon and the latter two, including the regular season finale, Saturday, April 15th. Currently, the Fury do have one game in hand on the ‘Hogs while they are now even in games played with the Wings. Certainly not to be overlooked is the torrid Eastern Division-leading Danbury Trashers 67(41-15-11) 93-points. Muskegon leads the Connecticut club by only 6-points with a single game in hand. Danbury is presently riding the wave of a 6-game win streak, having actually posted a positive premium mark of 15(11-2-2) through the last 15-decisions. Kalamazoo, again, is flourishing; they are 16(12-3-1) in the last 16-games and 24(18-5-1) in the last 24-outings. This week is another demanding one for the home town team in their quest with zest for Tarry Cup III and with it, the home ice advantage throughout the Colonial Cup Playoffs. Facing four games in five days and the weekend time change, the Fury will travel to Missouri Wednesday night for a date with the River Otters before returning home for a pair of their most momentous, monumental games of the season as both Kalamazoo and Rockford come to town on consecutive nights. The Wings touch down on Friday; the Hogs are here Saturday night with UHL league championship implications attached to each contest. Sunday, it's a quick trip to Quad City to battle the playoff-aspiring Mallards.

RECORDS RACING: The past week, the Fury won their first two straight before falling in the latter two straight with each contest played against each member of their own Central Division; 4(2-2-0). In the process, the Fury increased their lead atop both the Central Division and the overall league standings to three points. For the season, the Fury record stands at 66(46-13-7) for 99-points. The Fury have collected the most wins in the league and have incurred the fewest defeats in the UHL. They are a mere one point hence from their third consecutive 100-point season and their fourth over the past 5-years as the consummate model of on-ice excellence. The Fury have already attained their third consecutive 40-victories season; their fourth in the last 5-years; the seventh in the last 9-seasons and their ninth in 12-years. In their last 7-games, their record is 7(5-2-0); last 12(8-4-0); last 16(12-4-0); last 20(12-5-3). One year ago, after 66-games, the Fury-men had assembled a mark of 66(43-15-8) for 94-points. At this juncture of the campaign, they have 3-more wins, 2-fewer defeats and 5-more points than last year's clip. The Fury's longest win streaks of this season have been 10 in a row on two occasions as well as two 5-game win streaks. In addition, the "Furious Ones" have compiled the UHL's longest undefeated streak this year at 15(13-0-2). Moreover, they have also assembled an 11-game unbeaten skein; 11(10-0-1) and a 7-game unblemished skein; 7(6-0-1). The monthly records right up to date are: October 3(3-0-0); November 12(11-1-0); December 14(8-4-2); January 11(10-0-1); February 13(6-3-4); March 13(8-5-0).

HOMEFRONT HUNT: The past week, the first place Fury divided a pair of home appearances, 2(1-1-0), claiming a hard-earned 3-2 conquest Friday night over Port Huron before being humbled by Kalamazoo, 6-0. For the season, the Fury have posted the UHL's third best home mark of 34(24-7-3) with their 7-defeats representing one more than they sustained all of last season; 40(31-6-3). The Fury are 4(3-1-0) in their last 4-home starts and 10(7-2-1) through their last 10-home efforts. This season's top Fury win streaks at home have consisted of one 6-game win streak and one 5-game win streak, coupled with a 9-game undefeated skein at home of 9(8-0-1). As has been the case for the prepond-erance of the season, Muskegon has actually achieved a better record abroad than at home. In their last 91-regular season home games, the Fury possess a masterful mark of 91(70-15-6).

ROAD RECORDS RAMPANT: On foreign ice, invading hostile territory the past week, the Fury posted a mark of 2(1-1-0); emphatically conquering Flint Wednesday night, 5-1, before experiencing a hard-luck loss Sunday at Motor City, 4-3. The end result was the Fury forging foreign ice records unprecedented in their franchise history. With a season mark of 32(22-6-4), "Todd's Team" is already set to establish a new record for fewest road defeats which had been 13 in a single season. Also, with their next triumph abroad, the Fury will equal the team standard for most road wins in one season with 23. The Fury still have 6-away games waiting for them as they continue to boast the UHL's premiere road record as they have done since the opening night of the season back in October. Currently, the Fury are 6(4-2-0) in their last half-dozen dates and 8(5-3-0) in the past 8-bouts abroad. The longest road win skeins this season have been two 7-game win streaks; an 11-game unbeaten abroad streak; 11(10-0-1) and an 8-game stretch; 8(7-0-1).

THE DIVISION DISTRICT: The Fury are really radiating when it comes to play outside their own Central Division. To illuminate and elucidate, not to mention to enumerate, the kingpins have a combined mark of 29(24-3-2) in 29-decisions against the Western Division 19(16-2-1) and the Eastern Division 10(8-1-1). In their Michigan-only alliance, they are 37(22-10-5). The breakdown by division: Central Division: 37(22-10-5); home: 19(12-5-2); road: 18(10-5-3). The breakdown: Port Huron 10(7-0-3); home: 4(3-0-1); road: 6(4-0-2). Flint 8(6-1-1); home: 5(4-1-0); road: 3(2-0-1). Motor City 9(5-4-0); home: 5(3-2-0); road: 4(2-2-0). Kalamazoo 10(4-5-1); home: 5(2-3-0); road: 5(2-2-1). The Western Division: 19(16-2-1); home: 11(9-1-1); road: 8(7-1-0). The breakdown: Fort Wayne 5(5-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0). Rockford 4(4-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Quad City 5(4-0-1); home: 3(2-0-1); road: 2(2-0-0). Missouri 5(3-2-0); home: 2(1-1-0); road: 3(2-1-0). The Eastern Division: 10(8-1-1); home: 4(3-0-1); road: 6(5-1-0). The breakdown: Roanoke 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Richmond 3(2-0-1); home: 1(0-0-1); road: 2(2-0-0). Adirondack 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Danbury 2(1-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(0-1-0).

RED LAMP AMP: For the past 4-games' week, the Fury registered only 11-GF for a GFA of 2.75, collecting only 3-GF spanning the last 2 and two-third games after the 9:31 mark of the first period Friday night in their 3-2 home triumph over Port Huron. In fact, the league's second highest scoring outfit experienced a goal-scoring drought which lasted 115:28 before Robin Bouchard, who had scored that last goal, struck, again and also with the power play. For the season, the Fury have a GFA of 4.27. Defensively, the Fury seem to be new and improved, having permitted 18-GA in the last 7-games for a GAA of a stingy and stellar 2.57. For the season, the Fury rank circuit seventh with a GAA of 3.21.

HALLOWED HERALDED: The Fury continue to utterly dominate the UHL scoring derby with no fewer than 5 of the top 12 point-producing virtuosos. Robin Bouchard 66(55-56-111) continues his determined drive for his second UHL scoring title in three years. Jeff Nelson 62(30-75-105) is #2; Todd Robinson 46(17-58-75) is listed 8th, Ryan Keller 56(39-35-74) is 9th and David Wrigley 66(34-38-72) is 12th. Bouchard leads the loop with 55-goals, 31-PPG, 326-SOG and 13-MG. Nelson's 75-assists are foremost in the UHL while his 15-PPG rank 5th. Robinson's 58-assists are league 4th most. Keller (10) leads the league in GWG with Wrigley ranked 3rd with 8-GWG. Bouchard (7/11) is also 3rd in the league in OTSO goals (7). Keller and Wrigley are 1st and 2nd in the UHL rookie scoring chase with Keller's 39-goals #1 and Wrigley's 34-snipes ranked rookie third-best. Wrigley is rookie 4th in PPG with 12 while Keller is 5th with 11-PPG. Keller (+34) is 2nd and Wrigley (+29) is 6th in rookie best plus. For the defense, Trevor Johnson 56(10-40-50) is ranked 4th among the UHL blue line brigade with his 40-assists also placing him 4th. Dave Van Drunen 66(7-24-31) is listed 17th. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool (27) ranks 5th in the league in victories.

TREVOR'S TREMORS: Muskegon defenseman Trevor Johnson completed another strong week of offensive contribution for "Team Title." In 4-games, he authored 4-points on 2-goals, 2-assists. Included in his output, were 1-PPG and 1-GTG as well as 13-SOG. "T. J. The Great Johnsoni" recorded a pair of multiple point games, essaying 1-goal, 1-assist in Wednesday night's 5-1 dismissal of the Generals in Flint with his goal being of the power play variety. Sunday at Motor City, he, again, was (1-1-2) with the GTG in that one. In his last 7-games, he is averaging over a point a game with 7(3-5-8). Johnson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

NICK "THE QUICK": Since his acquisition recently from Elmira in trade, the newest member of the Fury, goaltender Nick Boucher, has distinguished himself in dynamic fashion. Through his initial 4-starts, he has composed a stellar 4(3-1-0) mark with a thrifty GAA of 2.31 and SPCT of .926. For the past week, he was 2(1-1-0) with a 3.16 GAA and .905 SPCT. He was hailed as the #1 Star the past Friday night in the Fury's 3-2 verdict over Port Huron Boucher is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

ROCKIN' ROBIN WRECKIN' RECORDS: With his 3-goals the past week, all on the power play, the UHL's all-time greatest goal-scoring colossus, Robin Bouchard, is continuing his full frontal assault on the record books. In his 4-games, he was 4(3-2-5), cannonading a goal in 3 of his team's 4-games and delivering the GWG in both of his team's victories for the past week. In the process, the "Gun-Sling King" has equaled, for the third time, his own Fury single season club record for most goals at 55. This is a record he momentarily shares with Brett Seguin. The always colorful, flamboyant francophone has also set the Fury record for most PPG in one season with 31; breaking his own mark of 25-PPG. Moreover, having earlier this current season reached the prestigious 1,000 pro point plateau, "Bouch Almighty" is now just 9-points from 1,100; 830(543-548-1,091).

"GALVS" GALVANIZED: Since his acquisition from Western Division rival Quad City, defenseman Tom Galvin is making his mark with his lightning-quick spark on the Fury blue line brigade. Skating with lots of confidence and plenty of authority, the former Notre Dame standout did not have a minus game all week long actually earning a satisfying +1 rating. In his first 10-games with the Fury, Muskegon's #1 draft choice in the UHL's March 2004 conscription, is 10(0-3-3).

PRINCE OF POINTS PIVOT: The Fury's second all-time leading scoring impresario, center Todd Robinson, is enjoying yet another banner season for the team with "The Cup." Although, he has missed 20-games this season with a sundry of ailments, the Fury's playmaker extraordinaire has still amassed 75-points on 17-goals, 58-assists. He is averaging a prolific 1.67 points per game. His late GTG strike in the third period Sunday night in Motor City represented his 130th Fury career goal which places him within 4-goals of tying Brett Seguin for third place all-time with 134-career goals.

THE NEWCOMERS CAST: With the UHL abolishing the annual March North American Amateur Draft, the Fury have proceeded forward in signing two top-flight forwards from the American collegiate ranks. Making their respect-ive pro debuts on consecutive nights for the Fury were center Jon Booras from Lake Superior State of the CCHA and center/right wing Tom Briggs from Fredonia State of the SUNYAC conference. Booras saw service Saturday night against Kalamazoo while Briggs' coming out party came on the road Sunday in Motor City. For Briggs, this presents an extraordinary opportunity as he hails from nearby Fruitport. He captained his college squad for his final two years of eligibility there.

POWER PLAY POLISH: The Fury's always-dangerous power play has been fructifying in recent action. Ranked #1 in the league, it is 92-371 for a proficiency rating of a sound and solid 24.7%. Muskegon's 92-PPG actually will rank runner-up to Kalamazoo. The penalty-killing cast has been extremely effective. The opposition is only 3 for the last 30; 4 for the last 39 and 5 for the last 51. The Fury lead the league in SHG with 18.

MILESTONES MAINSTAYS: Rustyn Dolyny (115) is just 2-goals away from tying Andrew Luciuk (117) for 5th place on the Fury's all-time career list. Dolyny (277) is one point from tying Luciuk (278) for 8th all-time on the Fury career list. Ryan Keller (39) is just 3-goals away from tying the all-time UHL single season record for goals by a rookie at 42. Keller has matched the Fury club record for most points (74) by a rookie in one season. Keller's next GWG will equal the all-time UHL league record for most GWG in one season (11). Keller's current output of 10-GWG sets a new Fury club rookie record for most GWG. The Fury coach Todd Nelson 222(144-51-25) is just 6-victories away from becoming only the eighth coach in UHL history to attain 150-wins.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury are undefeated this season when they limit the adversary to 3-GA or less at 37(35-0-2). The Fury have outscored the opposition on home ice in the third period this season, 52-31. The Fury have been shutout by division rival Kalamazoo 3-times this season, including twice at home and twice in a row overall with the latter two both being identical 6-0 results. Robin Bouchard has matched the club record for most "hat tricks" in one season with 3. The Fury are undefeated this season entering the third period with the lead, 36(33-0-3). The Fury are 11(4-7-0) in the OTSO and are 5(1-4-0) in their last 5-such events.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Faced with the daunting assignment of 4-games in 5-days, the Fury posted a 4(2-2-0) record for the week. They began it with a convincing 5-1 Wednesday trumping on the road with Flint. Robin Bouchard (1-2-3) PPG/TBG/GWG spurred the victory. Trevor Johnson (1-1-2) PPG, David Wrigley (1-1-2) GTG, Bill Zalba and Rustyn Dolyny also connected with Todd Robinson earning 3-assists. Clayton Pool earned the victory in goal with 21-saves. Returning home Friday night, the Fury trimmed Port Huron, 3-2, on the impetus of a 3-goals first period outburst that featured Bouchard's second consecutive GWG in as many games along with singles from Dolyny (FG/UG) and Jason Lawmaster. Nick Boucher collected the victory in goal with 28-saves. Saturday night, Kalamazoo blanked the Fury for a second successive time by the same 6-0 outcome. Wings goalkeeper Joel Martin set a UHL record with his 9th shutout of the season and his third shutout against the Fury this season. Sunday at Motor City, the Fury fell to a late Mechanics goal, 4-3. Johnson (1-1-2) GTG, Bouchard (FG/PPG) and Robinson (GTG) struck for the Fury with Boucher in goal for Muskegon.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH THE FURY AT MISSOURI 8:00 PM

This will be the sixth and final meeting of the season for these two rivals and the fourth in St. Charles where the Fury have posted a winning record of 3(2-1-0). Overall, the season series stands at 5(3-2-0) for the Fury. However, Muske-gon has been stunned in each of its last 2-games against the River Otters with Missouri prevailing on home ice December 30th, 5-3, before they extracted a 5-2 verdict from the Fury in Muskegon in the last actual test back on March 11th.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The eleventh and final act this regular season for the top two teams in both the Central Division and the overall UHL standings and the sixth one to be staged in Muskegon. The Fury trail the season series 10(4-5-1) and are 5(2-3-0) at home against the Wings who have shutout the Fury 3-times this season, including twice in a row by replica results of 6-0.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST ROCKFORD AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The fifth clash of the campaign between two of the top teams in the UHL, the fourth in Muskegon and the first of four meetings during the Fury's final 8-games of the regular season. Thus far, the Fury lead the series, 4(4-0-0). They are 3(3-0-0) at home and 1(1-0-0) in the Illinois city.

SUNDAY, APRIL 2ND THE FURY AT QUAD CITY 2:00 PM

The sixth and last time for these two teams to lock horns in the regular season with the Fury on top at 5(4-0-1). They are 3(2-0-1) at home and a perfect 2(2-0-0) in Moline where the most recent meeting occurred. In that one, back on March 19th, the Fury prevailed in a 1-0 shutout success.

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