Fury magic number at 10 points

Published on March 19, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TOP TEAM TALES: With three more weeks and 10-more games remaining on their 2006-07 United Hockey League regular season schedule, the UHL's all-time top winning team, the Eastern Division and league-leading Muskegon Fury are now approaching some magic numbers in their quest with zest of their fourth divisional title and their third ever Tarry Cup crown, emblematic of regular season supremacy and sovereignty. Under the auspices of first year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Fury, through 66-games, have compiled a composite record of a league best 66(46-17-3) totaling 95-points and .720 winning percentage. Registering a mark of 4(2-2-0) in a demanding week's work of 4-games in 5-days with somewhat exorbitant travel conditions, the Fury have advanced to the point where they need either a combination of 5-total wins or 10-total points to cinch and clinch the Eastern Division Championship. Muskegon will commence the new week having cultivated an 11-points advantage over second place and defending league kingpin Kalamazoo 66(39-21-6)84-points. Both teams have 10-games remaining on their respective slates. Muskegon does have one more meeting with the Wings and that one is on the docket for Saturday, March 31st on home ice at Walker Arena. The league-leaders have assembled an 11(6-4-1) mark against Kalamazoo this season. Meanwhile, as far as the overall league standings are concerned and the Fury's bid for another Tarry Cup crown, Muskegon's lead has eroded to 4-points over Western Division pace-setting Fort Wayne 67(44-20-3)91-points with one game in hand on the Komets. The Fury have two more dates on the docket against the K's; this Saturday night at home and the second to final night of the schedule, April 6th at the Indiana city. The Fury are 5(1-4-0) against the Komets, having sustained setbacks in each of the last 4-bouts between the two divisional kings. It's another 4-games in 5-days this week for the Fury with this week featuring the Fury's first home appearance in two weeks. The home town team will complete its 6-game foreign ice mission Wednesday night in Port Huron and Friday night in Flint before returning home for dates on Saturday night against Fort Wayne and Sunday afternoon against vastly-improved fledgling Bloomington.

PROMO PRESENTING: When the Fury come back home for this upcoming weekend after a two-weeks' absence from Walker Arena, there will be promos aplenty to welcome back the Muskegon traveling men of hockey. Saturday night, Muskegon Commerce Bank presents its annual "Dash for Cash" night. Sunday, it will be another "Meijer Matinee" as all fans are encouraged to bring two Meijer brand canned food products and receive a buy one, get one free ticket voucher for this Sunday game.

THE "50" THE "100": The past week, playing 4-games in 5-days with inordinate travel, the Fury posted a mark of 4(2-2-0). In the process, they set their season record at 66(46-17-3) for 95-points. Muskegon has climbed to within 4-victories of their third successive 50-wins season and their fourth in franchise history while their 95-points leave them just 5-points away from their fourth consecutive 100-points campaign; their 5th in the last 6-years and sixth all-time in club annals. Presently, the Fury are 6(3-2-1) in their last 6-starts and 9(4-3-2) through the past 9-outings; last 17(8-7-2). During the first half, the record was 38(32-5-1); in the second half thus far 28(14-12-2). One year ago, after 66-games, the Fury record was 66(46-13-7) for 99-points. Currently, the Fury are equal in wins (46) but have incurred 4-more defeats and have amassed 4-less points. The longest win streak of the season have been two 8-game win skeins, one 7-game win streak and four 3-game winning streaks. There has also been one 5-game unbeaten skein; 5(4-0-1). Longest losing streak of the year has been 3-consecutively with the most protracted winless skid being 4(0-3-1). The records by month: October 7(7-0-0); November 13(11-2-0); December 14(11-3-0); January 13(9-3-1); February 9(4-5-0); March 10(4-4-2).

HOME PALACE POLISH: Currently, the Fury own the UHL's second best home record at 33(23-9-1), just one-half game behind Western Division front-running Fort Wayne's home mark of 34(24-9-1). Muskegon is undefeated in its last 3-home appearances at 3(2-0-1) permitting a paltry 4-GA in that special span. The "Ramsay Rendition" is 12(5-6-1) in its last dozen dates at the "Hockey Barn of Bedlam" located at the downtown historical landmark corner of Fourth Street and West Western Avenue. The longest home win streak of the year has been 8-in a row reflecting the Fury's initial 8-home encounters this season. They have also assembled one 6-game win streak and one 3-game victory streak as well.

ROAD RECORD REPORT: In dividing their initial 4-games of the 6-games' foreign ice expedition at 4(2-2-0), the "Furious Ones" have closed to within one more victory to duplicating their record which they set only last season when they captured 24-road triumphs. With 5-more alien ice escapades still on the horizon, the Fury have carded a masterful mark of 33(23-8-2) with their 23-wins being 3-more than the rest of the loop. The Fury are 7(2-4-1) in their last 7-road dates and 9(3-5-1) through the past 9-decisions. Muskegon has extracted foreign ice successes from each UHL representing hamlet and have attained undefeated marks in three other UHL locales; namely Flint 4(4-0-0); Bloomington 3(3-0-0); Chicago 3(3-0-0). Earlier this season, the Fury established an all-new, all-time club record for most consecutive road wins at 11-in a row which fell just one win shy of matching the all-time UHL record of 12-consecutively. The Fury have also garnered one 4-game road win streak for their '06-07 resume. Muskegon on the road against their own Eastern Division is truly excelling as its 20(14-4-2) mark would illuminate, elucidate and enumerate.

DECISION BY DIVISION: Since the genesis of this current campaign, the Fury have truly prospered in competition against each division. Against their own Eastern Division, they have posted an overall record of 39(26-10-3); at home: 19(12-6-1); on the road: 20(14-4-2). The breakdown: Elmira 9(8-1-0)44-29; home: 4(4-0-0)17-12; road: 5(4-1-0)27-17. Flint 10(7-2-1)37-18; home: 6(3-2-1)16-13; road: 4(4-0-0)21-6. Kalamazoo 11(6-4-1)37-27; home: 5(3-2-0); road:6(3-2-1). Port Huron 9(5-3-1)29-26; home: 4(2-2-0)13-13; road: 5(3-1-1)16-13. In the Western Division, the Fury record stands at 27(20-7-0); at home: 14(11-3-0); road: 13(9-4-0). The breakdown: Chicago 6(6-0-0)21-12; home: 3(3-0-0)10-4; road: 3(3-0-0)11-8. Bloomington 5(5-0-0)26-7; home: 2(2-0-0)10-5; road: 3(3-0-0)16-2. Quad City 5(4-1-0)29-15; home: 3(3-0-0)20-9; road: 2(1-1-0)9-6. Rockford 6(4-2-0)19-21; home: 4(3-1-0)15-14; road: 2(1-1-0)4-7. Fort Wayne 5(1-4-0)9-18; home: 2(0-2-0)4-9; road: 3(1-2-0)5-9.

INSIDE THE BLUELINES: The Fury displayed vast improvement offensively the past week, connecting on 12-GF in 2-games in Elmira. Until that time, they had connected on only 16-GF in their previous 9-games. In fact, when they romped with 6-GF in each victory in Elmira, the Fury had entered that weekend series winless in their last 4-starts abroad; 4(0-3-1), scoring a measly 5-GF in that span. The Fury scotched and scuttled that stigma by eclipsing their entire 4-games road goal allotment in a single game with their 6-2 roasting of the Jackals. Defensively, the Fury have been absolutely extraordinary. Until Sunday's 5-GA yield in Fort Wayne, the Fury had attained an outstanding accomplishment in which they had not surrendered more than 2-GA over the span of 8-consecutive games.

IMPRESSIVE IMPRESARIOS: The Fury continue to have a considerable influence on the UHL's top elite around the league. Leading scoring: 1- Todd Robinson 66(39-77-116); 5- Mike Watt 60(35-39-74); Rustyn Dolyny 59(25-49-74); 9- (tied) Philippe Plante 66(17-46-63). In Goals: 1- Robinson (39); 6- Watt (35). In Assists: 1- Robinson (77); 3- Dolyny (49); 4- Plante (46). In PPA: 2- Robinson (30); 3- Plante (27). In SOG: 3- Watt (294); 4- Robinson (286). In GWG: 1- Robinson (11). In SHG: 1- Robinson (8). In PIM: 5- Adam Smyth (211). Best PLUS: 1- Dave Van Drunen (+47); 2- Plante (+39); Robinson (+39); 4- Dolyny (+33). In Rookie Scoring; 7- Evan Kotsopoulos 65(16-25-41); 11- Elias Godoy 24(11-25-36). In Rookie GWG: 1- (tied) Justin Coutu (4). In Rookie PIM: 1- Kotsopoulos (200). On defense: 1- Plante 66(17-46-63); In GWG: 1- (tied) Coutu (4); In Goals: 2- Plante (17). In Assists: 2- Plante (46). In SHG; 1- Plante (2). In the goaltending department; 4- Clayton Pool 2.44 GAA; In Wins: 3- Pool (30). In SPCT: (tied 3rd) .920. Ryan Cyr is ranked UHL 7th with a 2.78 GAA.

MUCH TOUCH TIMBER: The UHL's leading scoring oasis, center Todd Robinson has continued his torrid point productivity for yet another week of action. In 4-games, he engineered 8-points on 2-goals, 6-assists with 13-SOG and two multi-point games. In the Fury's 2-game series sweep in Elmira, "T. Rob" collected 7-points on 2-goals, 5-assists with both goals and 5 of the points coming in the Fury's second consecutive 6-2 Saturday night victory in the Empire State. It was his 5th 5-points game of the season and with it he became only the second player in Fury annals to attain 600-career points. Also on Saturday night, he netted his league-high and Fury record-tying 8th SHG of the season. For the season he is 66(39-77-116) with his 116-points just 6-points from equaling the Fury record of 122-points shared by Brett Seguin and Sergei Kharin. Robinson, once again, is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

PUCK PROFESSOR: The UHL's #4 ranked goaltender Clayton Pool enjoyed another superlative week of rebuking rubber as he fashioned a 2(1-1-0) mark in playing in 3 of his team's 4-games. Saturday night in Elmira, Pool posted his first victory since January 28th, also against the Jackals, in a 6-2 Fury trumping. For the week, Pool compiled a stingy and stellar 2.11 GAA and .926 SPCT. For the season, he has posted the circuit's supreme road record of 23(18-4-1). Earlier in this current season, Pool established an all-time UHL record when he earned 16-consecutive victories on the road; 16(16-0-0). Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

"COOP" DE VILLE DYNAMIC: The Fury fleet right wing Kevin Cooper is starting to pay some high interest dividends in the Fury account. In 4-games the past week, he was 4(2-3-5) with 12-SOG and excellent +3 rating. His best night came Friday night in Elmira where the erstwhile Jackal came home to roost recording 3-points on 1-electrifying coast-to-coast singular unassisted goal flight and 2-assists along with a brilliant +4 rating. He was accorded the game's #1 Star on his first night back to Elmira since his departure at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season.

THE "Z" TRAIN REIGN: Muskegon right wing Bill Zalba was way overdue for a major breakthrough and, he, indeed, came through the past weekend; in particularly, in the 2-game series in Elmira, where he generated 2-goals, 2-assists, 4-points and +2 rating. In Friday night's first 6-2 domination of the Elmirans, the man known simply as "Z" struck for 2-goals, 3-points, +3 rating and the GWG to earn the game's #3 Star. His GWG was of the unassisted genre. It was Zalba's first 2-goal game of this season.

BIG BARN RYAN: The Fury left wing Ryan Barnes has been enduring an injury-infested first season clad in the Muskegon code of colors. However, the past week, the former Grand Rapids Griffins standout stood front and center with some exceptional offensive exploits. For the week, he was 4(2-1-3) with 10-SOG, 1-FG and 1-PPG along with a +2 rating. His 2-goals were struck as the first 2-goals of the game Friday night as he was hailed the game's #2 Star in his team's 6-2 dismissal of the Jackals in Elmira.

TOP "D" FROM "P.P.": All-Star defenseman Philippe Plante is still at the top of his game heading into the home-stretch for the Fury. The past week, the league's highest scoring defenseman saw continuous service as he collected 5-points in 4-games on 4(1-4-5) with his 1-goal propelled on the power play and the game's FG to set the tone for the entire weekend series swept by the Fury in Elmira. He was named the Saturday night #3 Star in Elmira.

KILO-"WATT" SHOT HOT: Veteran left wing Mike Watt enjoyed a masterful performance Friday night in the Fury's opening night 6-2 triumph in Elmira. The former MSU star recorded 4-points on 2-goals, 2-assists, including the GWG and PPG as he was saluted as the game's #2 Star. In 4-games for the week, Watt wired 24-SOG for his Muskegon squadron for a per game average of an impressive 6-SOG.

PRO CAREER PREMIERE: First-year center Mark Nebus had a most promising, propitious pro premiere Friday night on Elmira. Signed as a free agent following a standout 4-year career at Detroit's Wayne State U. the Royal Oak, MI native delivered 2-points on 1-goal, 1-assist and earned an extraordinary +3 rating. The 6-0, 194lb forward was 35(6-12-18) this season with WSU, propulsioning 3-PPG and 2-GWG.

INJURY BUGABOO BARRAGE: This past weekend, the Fury continued to operate below their 18-man roster due to an unprecedented number of player injuries that have handicapped this team all season long. On the disabled list; defensemen Justin Coutu, Dave Van Drunen. Centers Billy Collins, Elias Godoy; left wings Dave Noel-Bernier, Scott Barnes, Kelly Thomson; right wings Rustyn Dolyny, Adam Smyth. Called up to AHL Grand Rapids; defensemen Tom Galvin and Jon Insana.

SPECIAL TEAMS TOP-NOTCH: The Fury once-maligned power play has found its pulse and its vital signs in recent action. Before Sunday's setback at Fort Wayne, the power play was 2 for the last 4; 3 for the last 7 and 4 for the last 9. Also until Sunday's affair in Fort Wayne the Fury penalty-killing unit had been nearly perfect, disarming 30 of the last 31 and 41 of the last 43-enemy man advantages. The Fury rank second in the UHL in SHG with 18.

MINING MILESTONES: The Fury's next regular season victory will be #640 which ranks #1 all-time in UHL history. Center Billy Collins (198) is 2-games from pro career 200; all with the Fury. Mike Watt (598) is just 2-games shy of pro career 500. Rustyn Dolyny (146) is 4-goals away from pro career 150. Dave Van Drunen passed the 1,200-PIM this past week. Todd Robinson's SHG Saturday in Elmira was his Fury all-time career high 24th SHG.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With the sweep of their 2-game weekend series in Elmira, the Fury have now won 7-in a row over the Jackals and are 21(20-1-0) in their last 21-games against their fellow Eastern Division foes. In the Fury's Saturday night 6-2 victory at Elmira, Joe Pomaranski notched his first-ever pro SHG. Todd Robinson and Mike Watt each essayed their 9th multiple goal game of the season Saturday night in Elmira. When the Fury score 4 or more, their record is 36(34-2-0). Friday night continues to be the Fury's best night with a record of 23(20-3-0).

RECAP THE WRAP: Playing 4-road games in 5-days, the Fury capped the road sojourn with a 4(2-2-0) record. Wednesday night in Port Huron, for only the second time in 32-games this season, the Fury did not hold the lead entering the third period with such and succumbed to the Flags, 2-1. Kevin Cooper accounted for the vanquished Fury's sole goal. Clayton Pool was the hard-luck loser in goal. Friday and Saturday nights in Elmira, the Fury dispatched the Jackals by replica, resounding results of 6-2. On both nights, Muskegon triggered 3-goal opening period assaults to surge into the lead. Bill Zalba (2-1-3)GWG/UG, Ryan Barnes (2-0-2)FG/PPG, Kevin Cooper (1-2-3) and Mark Nebus (1-1-2) all made connection for the Fury with Ryan Cyr earning the victory on the strength of 31-saves. The following night, it was more of the same game, as, again, the Fury raced into a 3-0 first period before completing the sweep by the identical 6-2 result. Todd Robinson (2-3-5)SHG/ENG spearheaded the Fury's lusty attack with Mike Watt (2-2-4) scoring the GWG/PPG. Philippe Plante (1-1-2)FG/PPG also struck while Joe Pomaranski added a SHG.. Pool was solid in goal with 30-saves. Road weary Sunday in Fort Wayne, the Fury fell to the Komets, 5-1. The Komets struck with 3-first period including 2 on their power play. Chase Trull had the Muskegon strike.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21ST THE FURY AT PORT HURON 7:00 PM

For the second consecutive Wednesday night, the two teams will tangle at McMorran Place Arena where the Fury bowed last Wednesday, 2-1. The Flags have prevailed in 3 of the last 4-clashes between the two Eastern Division rivals. When they rallied to overcome Muskegon last Wednesday, the Flags halted the Fury's 10-game unbeaten streak in Port Huron at 10(7-0-3).

FRIDAY, MARCH 23RD THE FURY AT FLINT 7:30 PM

The 11th and last clash of the regular season for the UHL's two oldest rivals and the fifth and final one in Flint where the Fury are a perfect personified 4(4-0-0) thus far this season. Overall, the Fury lead the series 10(7-2-1).

SATURDAY, MARCH 24TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The sixth of seven sessions staged featuring the two UHL divisional kingpins. Since defeating the Komets in the initial confrontation of the season on November 24th in Fort Wayne, 2-1, the Fury have faded in 4-consecutive contests against the K's including both of Fort Wayne's earlier appearances here in Muskegon this season; 2(0-2-0). Fort Wayne is the lone team that the Fury do not have a winning record against this season; 5(1-4-0).

SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The sixth and last time the two newly-created rivals will tackle each other and the third time the fledgling Prairie Thunder come to town. The Fury have been impeccable against the league's newest entry with a flawless 5(5-0-0) record and 2(2-0-0) on their home ice. Bloomington has been playing its best hockey at this hour of the season, recently completing a season's best 5-game win streak.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 19, 2007


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