Fury only undefeated team in UHL

Published on October 31, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: After the opening month of the 2004-05 United Hockey League season, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury, remain the lone undefeated team in the circuit with a supreme record of 6(5-0-1) totaling 11 of an available 12-points. Presently atop the UHL's Central Division, the Fury, under the tutelage of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, have earned a 5-points' advantage over second place Kalamazoo 6(3-3-0)6 and a 6-points' grip over third-place Flint 6(2-3-1)5. Muskegon has conquered both of their aforemention-ed closest pursuers with both successes extracted on foreign ice, a 6-2 opening night triumph in Flint, October 15th followed by this past Saturday's 4-3 verdict in Kalamazoo. Looking at the overall standings in the league, the Fury are currently deadlocked with the top two teams of the Western Division, namely Rockford 7(5-1-1)11 and Fort Wayne 8(5-2-1)11. However, Muskegon does have the potential luxury of one-game in hand on the IceHogs and two games in hand on the two-time defending Tarry Cup kingpins Komets. In the meantime, the Muskegonites recently capped an extended 4-game home stand with a mark of 4(3-0-1), earning 7 of a possible 8-points. They are a perfect 2(2-0-0)4 abroad. This week, the men resplendent in the Fury ensemble will host a pair of long-time archenemies at the friendly climes and environs of Walker Arena. Friday night, the Quad City Mallards make their second early season appearance downtown in our town before the always formidable Flint Generals come calling for their initial appearance in Muskegon on Saturday night. The early part of the Fury schedule finds the league's title timber team playing seven of their first 10-games at the homestead.

UNSULLIED SUPERB: Gaining three more points in the league standings this past weekend with a mark of 2(1-0-1)9-9, the "Furious Ones" have enriched their unsullied streak to an extraordinary 23-consecutive games at 23(22-0-1), accruing 45 of a possible 46-points in that span. The Fury by "T-Nel" have assembled such storied success in such fashion: the last 3-games of last regular season; 3(3-0-0)21-9; the Colonial Cup Playoffs: 11(11-0-0)29-14; the 2004-05 UHL pre-season: 3(3-0-0)14-4; and now the present regular season; 6(5-0-1)29-17. The last outright Fury setback was way back on 4/3/04 last season at home where Fort Wayne clipped them, 3-2. It's interesting to note that it was the same Fort Wayne Komets who interrupted the Fury's 21-game win skein this past Friday night, also here in Muskegon, in a 6-5 OTSO affair. Having emerged prominently, predominantly and pre-eminently as minor pro hockey's best winning enterprise through the first 12-years of their existence under the Fury appellation, Muskegon has compiled a gleaming and glowing .620 winning percentage. With yet another victory the past week-end, the Fury have ascended to within 5-wins of the Fury franchise 500 as the best winning team in UHL annals. This week, the Muskegon team by Nelson will commence the game action with 495-UHL victories and counting. With two Colonial Cup crowns in the past three seasons and three such jewels in the last five calendar years, the Fury, this season, are currently riding a season-launching 6-game undefeated streak; 6(5-0-1). The 2004-05 6(5-0-1) start currently represents the third best beginning to a Fury campaign. In 1998-99, the season of Colonial Cup I, the Fury broached the season with a 7(6-0-1) mark, while in 2001-02, the season of Colonial Cup II, they launched the year with an 8-game unblemished skein of 8(7-0-1). Longest winning streaks last season were 6-in a row with two 5-game win streaks and four 4-game win streaks. Longest unbeaten streaks last season were 15(11-0-4); 10(9-0-1) and 7(6-0-1). Longest win streak this early season has been 4-in succession; 4(4-0-0). One year ago, after the first 6-games, Muskegon had posted a mark of 6(4-2-0)8. At this stage of the new season, they are 6(5-0-1)11. Currently, the Fury are one win and 3-points superior to last season's early clip.

HOMESTEAD STELLAR: The Fury recently concluded a season-starting 4-game home stand with an unbeaten mark of 4(3-0-1). In the process, they have stretched their overall unbeaten home ice streak to 13-consecutive outings; 13(12-0-1)56-27. This unblemished skein consists of the final three games of last regular season; 3(3-0-0)21-9; all 5-playoffs home games; 5(5-0-0)16-7; one pre-season encounter this season: 1(1-0-0)6-1 and the initial 4-home performances thus far this new season; 4(3-0-1)19-13. Also, last season, the Fury did establish an all-time club record for longest undefeated streak at home at 20(14-0-6); spanning exactly three months from 12/19/03 to 3/19/04.

ROAD WINNING WARRIORS: The Fury have seen action abroad only twice thus far this season but have been most impressive in both outings. The victory verdicts have been critical ones within their own Michigan-only Central Division; a 6-2 trumping of the Generals in Flint on opening night, October 15th followed this past Saturday with a 4-3 decision at Kalamazoo. Muskegon is the lone UHL undefeated road team that has played more than one game abroad; (Rockford 1-0). Dating back to last season, the men of the Fury have now won a remarkable 10-straight games in foreign territory; 10(10-0-0)37-15. Last season, the longest win streak was 5-consecutively. There were also two 4-game win streaks in alien lands.

DIVISION PRECISION: Through the initial three weeks of the 2004-05 UHL season, the Fury have been prosper-ing as their undefeated 6(5-0-1) record would testify. Within their own Central Division, they have been impeccable with a mark of 3(3-0-0)15-8. Muskegon also has achieved a 3(2-0-1)14-9 record against Western Division entries. The Central Division breakdown: Flint 1(1-0-0)6-2; road: 1(1-0-0)6-2; Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0)4-3; road: 1(1-0-0)4-3; Motor City (1-0-0)5-3; home: 1(1-0-0)5-3. In the Western Division: Fort Wayne 1(0-0-1)5-6; home: 1(0-0-1)5-6; Kansas City 1(1-0-0)5-2; home: 1(1-0-0)5-2; Quad City 1(1-0-0)4-1; home: 1(1-0-0)4-1.

OFFENSE / DEFENSE DIARY: For the initial six games of the young campaign, the high-tech, high-powered Fury firing line has wired a zesty 29-GF for a GFA of a league-high 4.83. The fewest GF by the Fury in a single game thus far this season has been 4. They have registered 6-GF once and 5-GF thrice and 4-GF twice. Last season, the sharp-shooting Fury forces were also rated #1 in the UHL with a proficient 298-GF in 76-games for a GFA of a gaudy 3.92. During their present 23-game undefeated skein, they have generated 93-GF for a GFA of 4.04. In the 13-game unsullied streak at home, they have delivered 56-GF for a GFA of a healthy 4.31. On the road, the goal output reads 37-GF in the 10-game win streak for a GFA of 3.70. Meanwhile, in the defensive zone, the Fury have been both stellar and stingy as they have yielded only 44-GA through the 23-game undefeated streak for a GAA of a thrifty 1.91. At home, in the last 13, GA of 28 for a GAA of 2.15. It's even better abroad at 15-GA in 10-games for a GAA of a sparkling 1.50.

ELITE LEADERS: The UHL's defending scoring titlist Robin Bouchard 6(5-6-11) is currently ranked 8th in league-wide point-productivity with teammates Todd Robinson 6(3-7-10) and Rustyn Dolyny 6(4-6-10) tied for 10th. Brant Blackned 6(3-6-9) is listed 16th in the circuit. Bouchard's 3-PPG tie him for 3rd most in the league while Robinson's 7-assists tie him for 4th best. Bouchard's 7-PP/Points tie him for 2nd most in the loop with Robinson's 5-PP/Assists tying him for 2nd most. In the goal-scoring shooting accuracy department, the Fury's Jeff Nelson 4/9 is rated #1 at .444 with B. J. Gaustad 4/10, .400 ranked #3 in the league. Defenseman Dave Van Drunen's +8 rating ranks him tied for circuit 2nd. Jason Lawmaster leads the UHL in minor penalties with 11; his 62-PIM rank as 3rd most in the league. In UHL rookie scoring, Billy Collins 6(2-2-4) is 10th with his 2-PPG sharing the league-leader-ship and his 2/9 , .222 shooting accuracy percentage ranked runner-up. Meanwhile defenseman Nolan Brown's +5 rating is 4th best among rookies and his 28-PIM are also listed 4th. Among UHL defensemen, Van Drunen's 39-PIM are 3rd most in the league with his 3-majors tying him for 2nd most. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, rookie Clayton Pool is ranked 6th with a 2.50 GAA with Brent Belecki being 11th at 2.76.

HOTSHOTSCOTT: Veteran right wing Scott Hollis has begun to round into form for his team's title defense of Colonial Cup III. In the past 2-games' weekend, he engineered 2(2-2-4) with 7-SOG and +2 rating. Included in his output were 2-assists in Friday night's 6-5 OTSO outcome at home against Fort Wayne followed by a sterling 2-goal performance in the Saturday night 4-3 triumph at Kalamazoo. In the latter contest, he struck with 1-PPG/GTG and later, the ultimate GWG/UG to earn the game's #1 Star. For the season, he is averaging over a point-a-game with 6(3-5-8). Hollis is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

NO MISTAKIN' CLAYTON: Prized rookie goaltender Clayton Pool has enjoyed a rather auspicious pro debut through his initial two starts. Saturday night, he rebuffed 26 of 29-shots to post his second straight pro victory in his team's 4-3 verdict in Kalamazoo. In the process he heightened his pro record to 2(2-0-0) with a 2.50 GAA and .900 SPCT. He currently ranks as the UHL's #1 rated rookie goalkeeper. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE CAPTAIN'S CHRONICLES: The Fury team captain Rustyn Dolyny is enjoying an excellent inception to his fourth Fury season. Through the month of October, the former Michigan State star authored a still-extant 6-game scoring streak, accounting for scoring points in every game thus far this year; 6(4-6-10). In half of those outings, he has been named as one of the game's three stars; one #2 Star and two #3 Stars. An absolute paragon of consistency and continuity, his 4-goals have been in such fashion; 1-FG, 1-SHG, 1-GWG and 1-GTG with the GWG produced in his 200th Muskegon career game. Also, for October, he assembled a 4-game goal-scoring streak 4(4-4-8). He has been a plus player in all 6-Fury games this season with a +6 rating. Dolyny is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

BENT ON BRENT: Seven-year pro Brent Belecki has capped his first month under the auspices of his brand new employer in a sound and solid Muskegon manner. In his first 4-games, he has recorded an undefeated log of 4(3-0-1) with a 2.76 GAA and .883 SPCT. For October, he posted a personal 3-game win streak with a miserly 2.00 GAA and .922 SPCT. Belecki is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Month.

"BOUCH ALMIGHTY": Muskegon's all-time "Gun-Sling King," three time all-star right wing "Rockin" Robin Bouchard is at it, again. His Bouchard "Bazooka Blasts" have found him push his latest goal-scoring streak to a current, league-best 4-straight games with 5-snipes in that propitious expanse. In so doing, he has climbed to within 7-goals (393) of becoming only the second player in UHL history to attain 400-career UHL goals. For the week, he was 2(2-1-3) with 2-more PPG, including the key, clutch TBG/PPG late in the second period Saturday night in Kalamazoo to sever a 2-2 tie and vault his club into the victory circle.

B. J. GOAL RAY: Center/Left Wing B. J. Gaustad has been smoking with his goal-scoring stoking at the early stages of the season. Striking with one goal in each game the past weekend, including the crucial GTG Saturday night on the road against his former team Kalamazoo, he has swelled his current goal-scoring streak to a pro career high of 4-games with 4-goals in that span. Gaustad's streak equals teammate Robin Bouchard for the longest current streak in the UHL.

"VANDY" VITALITY: The Fury's bulwark on the defense, Dave Van Drunen, has been assertive with his strong and stellar play. For the season, he is 6(0-2-2) with a team best +8 rating while his 39-PIM rank as second most on his club and his 3-major penalties lead Muskegon.

POWER PLAY POTENCY: The Fury power play has been the best in the UHL for two years running. Thus far this season, they are, again, ranked #1 at 11-34 for a proficiency rating of a very productive 32.4%. Not only are their 11-PPG #1 in the league, but also, the power play itself stands nearly 11% superior to any other team in the loop. Muskegon has actually engineered the 11-PPG on its last 26-advantages for a conversion ratio of an excellent 42.3%. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury are tied for 5th at 36-42 for an efficiency mark of 85.7. However, after extinguishing 26 of the first 27, including 25-consecutively, opponents are 5 for the last 15 for a PK efficiency of 66.7%.

TREASURY HISTORY: With one assist in Saturday night's 4-3 conquest of the Wings in Kalamazoo, center Todd Robinson 269(101-266-367) has moved into second place on the Fury's all-time career scoring list. Robin Bouchard (591) is 9-games from becoming only the 5th player in UHL history to play 600-games; he is just 7-games away (693) from all-time pro career 700. Scott Hollis (696) is 4-games away from pro career 700. Brant Blackned (303) is 9-goals away from tying for 6th all-time in UHL history at 312. Bouchard (56) is just 5-goals away from tying Kevin Kerr (61) for most GWG in league history.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Muskegon has outscored the opponents during its 23-game undefeated streak by a better than 2-1 margin of 93-44. The second period continues to be the Fury's forte as they are the best in the UHL, out-scoring the enemy, 15-4. On the strength of their latest victory in Kalamazoo, the Fury have extended their undefeated streak at Wings Stadium to 6-in a row; 6(5-0-1). Moreover, spanning the last 3-plus seasons, the Fury have compiled a brilliant record of 15(13-1-1) in their last 15-sojourns to Kalamazoo. The Fury have not been out-shot in any of their initial 6-games thus far; out-shooting the adversary 5-times and equaling the opposition in one other contest.

POST WEEK WRAP: The first-place Fury posted a 2(1-0-1) mark for the weekend, playing once at home and one other abroad. Friday night at home, the Fury saw their 21-game win streak stopped by Fort Wayne in a 6-5 OTSO affair. Muskegon salvaged the regulation deadlock and one more important point in the standings with an electrify-ing late third period 2-goal rally to erase a 5-3 deficit. Center Jeff Nelson connected on both of those come back goals including the dramatic GTG on a power play with only :42 remaining in regulation time. Rustyn Dolyny (1-2-3) GTG, B. J. Gaustad (GTG/PPG) and Robin Bouchard (TBG) also delivered with Todd Robinson and Scott Hollis both assisting twice. The Fury out-shot the Komets, 30-17 and 23-7 in the last 2-periods combined. Saturday night, the Fury were on the road for the first time in over two weeks and responded with a 4-3 triumph in Kalamazoo. The victors emerged on the impetus of eradicating two first period 1-goal deficits to equalize matters before striking with a pair of goals in :18 late in the middle stanza to snap the 2-2 tie which they had earlier created. Hollis (2-0-2) GTG/PPG and TBG/GWG/UG spurred the win. Bouchard (1-1-2)TBG/PPG and Gaustad (GTG) also connected. Clayton Pool had 26-saves for the victory.

THE FURY GAME DATES THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH QUAD CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The second early-season session to be staged between these two archrivals with both battles being waged in Muskegon. In the first clash, back on October 22nd, the Fury prevailed, 4-1. Overall, including last season's opening round of the playoffs, the Fury are 5(5-0-0) in the last 5-tussles and 8(7-1-0) in the last 8-bouts against the mighty Mallards.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH FLINT AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

Muskegon and Flint lock antlers for the second of nine collisions this season and the first of four meetings here in Muskegon. In the previous clash, back on opening night, October 15th in Flint, the Fury used a club-record 5-PPG, 4 of those in the middle frame of the game to defeat the Generals, 6-2. That Fury triumph halted their 3-game losing skid against their long-time, in-state rivals dating back to last season.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 31, 2004


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