Fury opens on top again

Published on October 29, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TOP TEAM TALES: For the second consecutive year, the United Hockey League's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, have completed the month of October undefeated and with a perfect personified record. Under the doctrine according to first-year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the men of the land of the Fury capped this October of 2006 unsullied, unblemished and otherwise unbeaten with an impeccable record of 7(7-0-0) for a total of the maximum 14-points. One year ago, in October 2005, in the third and final year of the coaching term of Todd Nelson, the Fury squad composed an undefeated opening month of the season at 3(3-0-0). Muskegon can now boast of a masterful mark of 10(10-0-0) through its last two Octobers. "Ramsay's Raiders" will commence the new week having carved-out a 4-points advantage over surging second place Elmira 7(5-2-0)10-points with the Jackals enjoying a current 5-game winning streak. In the overall league-wide standings, the Fury have gained a six points' lead over Western Conference front-running Fort Wayne 5(4-1-0)8-points with the Komets in the midst of a 3-game win skein. This week, the torrid Fury continue their somewhat strenuous stretch consisting of four consecutive foreign ice affairs, all within their own Eastern Division. In fact, the Fury are presently in the middle of a span that sees them play seven straight games within their own divisional alignment and 10 of 11 in that category. Three road games in three days are on the docket for this weekend with the travel of the demanding dimension. Friday and Saturday nights, the Fury launch a two-game series in Elmira against the streaking Jackals before making the long overnight journey to Port Huron where they will tackle the Flags on Sunday.

AT HOME HAPPENINGS: After a two weeks' absence, the first place Fury will return home to the amiable climes and environs of Walker Arena for a pair of appearances on Friday, November 10th and Saturday, November 11th. On November 10th, local author Jay Vandervoorde will unveil his long-awaited, long-anticipated book which traces and studies the rich 47-year history of Muskegon pro hockey. The book, entitled "Muskegon Hockey History and its Heroes" will be available for public sale for the first time with some 40-former Muskegon all-time greats from the eras of the Zephyrs (1960-65), Mohawks (1965-84), Lumberjacks (1984-92) and the current day contemporary Fury from 1992 and onward coming back to Muskegon for that special night. Then on November 11th, the Fury will present their annual, ever-popular Thanksgiving "Turkey Shoot" sponsored by The Meat Block.

7-0 AND AWAY WE GO!!: Earning victory verdicts in both of their outings over the weekend, the high-flying Fury have elevated their early season record to an inviolable 7(7-0-0)14-points. They are three victories away from matching the all-time franchise record which was established just last season for best start ever. In 2005-06, Muskegon inaugurated the campaign with a club record 10-game win streak; 10(10-0-0)20-points. When one includes the Fury's pair of successes in the UHL's cursory pre-season, their overall mark stands at a sparkling 9(9-0-0). The Fury are the last undefeated team still standing in the UHL at this juncture of the young season. In their last 114-regular season games, the "Furious Ones" have compiled an amazing record of 114(80-22-12) for a winning percentage of a sterling .755.

THE INVINCIBLE PRINCIPLE: By earning a 5-3 triumph on Friday night at the expense of divisional foe Port Huron, the Fury hiked their home record to a flawless 4(4-0-0), outscoring the foreign ice invaders, 25-10. Their 4(4-0-0) record represents the league's best mark in that department. Their 27-home wins last season equaled divisional kingpins Kalamazoo and Rockford for the most in the league. In their last 98-regular season home decisions, the Fury record is a brilliant 98(77-15-6) for a winning percentile of an extraordinary .815.

ROAD SHOW SHINE: In their lone alien ice interloping for the week, the Fury met the challenge of the defending champions Kalamazoo Wings Saturday night at Wings Stadium where the Fury surmounted a 2-0 first period deficit and derailed the Wings, 4-3. With the win, Muskegon swelled its road warfare record to a perfect 3(3-0-0), outscoring the home-standing opposition, 18-7. The high-tech, high-octane Fury engines are producing at the prolific rate of 6-goals per road affair.

DIVISION PRECISION: In the midst of seven consecutive games within their own Eastern Division and 10 of 11 in such category, the Fury have posted a 3(3-0-0) mark in the initial three tests divisionally speaking. Eastern Division: 3(3-0-0)16-9; home: 1(1-0-0)5-3; road: 2(2-0-0)11-6. The breakdown: Flint 1(1-0-0)7-3; road: 1(1-0-0)7-3. Kalama-zoo 1(1-0-0)4-3; road: 1(1-0-0)4-3. Port Huron 1(1-0-0)5-3; home: 1(1-0-0)5-3. Western Division: 4(4-0-0)27-8; home: 3(3-0-0)20-7; road: 1(1-0-0)7-1. The breakdown: Bloomington 2(2-0-0)14-4; home: 1(1-0-0)7-3; road: 1(1-0-0)7-1. Chicago 1(1-0-0)4-2; home: 1(1-0-0)4-2. Quad City 1(1-0-0)9-2; home: 1(1-0-0)9-2.

MUNITIONS CONDITIONS: In capturing two more conquests in two more contests the past weekend, the high-voltage, high-powered Fury attack connected on 9-more goals. For the season, they have produced a prodigious 43-GF in 7-games for a GFA of a prolific 6.14. Muskegon has scored a minimum of 4-goals through its initial 7-games of the regular season. In 4-games on home ice, the Fury have generated 25-GF for a GFA of 6.25. On the road, they have engineered 18-GF in 3-starts for a GFA of 6.00. Not to be overshadowed has been the Fury's defensive prowess as they presently rank a lofty second in the league, having allowed 17-GA in those 7-games for a GAA of a frugal 2.43. The home town team has yet to surrender more than 3-GA through their first 7-games of the season.

DOMINATE AND PROPAGATE: Just like last week, the Fury continue to dominate the vast majority of the UHL's most significant offensive categories. The Fury list the top 6-scoring artisans for a second straight week. 1- Todd Robinson 7(7-14-21); 2- Mike Watt 7(10-2-12); Elias Godoy 7(5-7-12); Rustyn Dolyny 6(4-8-12); 5- Philippe Plante 7(0-11-11); 6-Evan Kotsopoulos 7(7-3-10). Watt's 10-goals are league foremost with Robinson (7) and Kotsopoulos (7) ranked runner-up. Godoy is tied for 4th with 5-strikes. Robinson's 14-assists lead the league with Plante #2 with 11 and Dolyny 3rd with 8. Watt's 4-PPG top the loop with Robinson tied for 2nd with 3-PPG. With 33-SOG, Watt ranks tied for UHL 3rd while Watt and Dolyny are tied for the league lead in GWG with 2. The Fury continue to feature the top 6 plus players in the league; 1- Plante +12; 2- Watt +11; 3- Robinson +10; Dave Van Drunen +10; 5- Dolyny +7; Kotsopoulos +7, Jon Insana +7. Bill Zalba is 5th in the league with 35-PIM while his 3-majors tie him for 2nd most league-wide. In UHL rookie scoring, Godoy and Kotsopoulos continue to rank 1-2 in both points and goals with Godoy tied for the UHL rookie lead with 2-PPG and his 7-assists ranked #1 among this year's freshmen class. Kotsopoulos leads all rookies in PIM with 29 and in minors with 7. On defense, Plante is #1 in scoring with Jon Insana 5(2-5-7) climbing to 5th best. Insana's 2-PPG tie for the lead among defensemen with Van Drunen's 9-minor penalties tying him for the league-lead among the blue line brigade and his 33-PIM topping all defensemen. In the goaltending department, Ryan Cyr ranks 2nd with a 2.33 GAA. Clayton Pool is 4th at 2.50 GAA. Pool has the league's best record at 4(4-0-0) with those 4-wins sharing the UHL leadership. Cyr ranks 4th with his .922 SPCT.

THE "T. ROB" ROMP: Veteran center Todd Robinson's extraordinary start to his 7th Fury season has continued with no end really in sight. In 2-games the past weekend, he authored 6-more points on 3-goals, 3-assists, including a 4-points performance Friday night in his team's 5-3 dismissal of Port Huron. With 2-goals, 2-assists, he was acclaimed the "Fury Star of the Game." One night later in Kalamazoo, he was hailed the game's #2 Star, igniting the Fury come back from a 2-0 deficit with the Fury's first goal before adding the key assist on his team's ultimate GWG. For the month, Robinson was the architect of a season-opening 7-game points' streak, 6-game goal streak, 6-multiple point games and not a single minus game for October. In addition, he reached the Fury 500-points plateau and tied Brant Blackned for 2nd place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list with 141. Robinson is the Fury's nomination for both Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week and Player of the Month.

GOAL GATE GUARDIAN: Third year Fury goaltender Clayton Pool has fashioned another strong, stellar start in helping lead his team to that perfect 7(7-0-0) record. Saturday night in Kalamazoo, he rebuked 34 of 37-shots from the reigning champions Wings in helping lead his team to a hard-earned 4-3 triumph. For the first month of the season, the former U. of Alberta standout was a star-studded 4(4-0-0) with a 2.50 GAA and .917 SPCT. He has started all three of the Fury road games thus far this season, going unbeaten at 3(3-0-0) with a stingy GAA of 2.33 Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.

E.G. E-LECTRIC: Completing his first full month under the Fury employ, slick center Elias Godoy was promising and prolific. In 7-games, he collected 12-points on 5-goals, 7-assists with 23-SOG and +6 rating. Included in his monthly returns were 2-PPG, 1-UG and 1-GTG. In 4 of his 7-games, he essayed multi-point performances being named the UHL's first Player of the Week for this season. He emanated and culminated the month with #1 Star honors in his first game of the season and the last game for this month. He had only one minus game for the entire month in his UHL rookie debut. Godoy becomes the Fury's nomination for Easton / UHL Rookie of the Month.

TOP "D" FROM JUSTIN "C": The newest member of the Fury vaunted defense is second-year pro but still UHL rookie classified Justin Coutu. Signed as a free agent recently, the former CHL Fort Worth Brahmas blue line staunch stalwart earned a sound and solid +2 rating Saturday night in Kalamazoo while at the same time acting the role of playmaker extraordinaire in arranging Elias Godoy's second period GTG in the come-from-behind triumph over the Wings. Although he has seen action in just 4-games, Coutu has already achieved an impressive +4 rating with 14-PIM.

EVAN REVVIN': Rookie prize Evan Kotsopoulos has demonstrated a real knack on the key, clutch attack for the Fury. The past 2-games weekend, he fired 2-more goals, one in each game while registering a superb +3 rating. His monumental momentous goal Saturday night in Kalamazoo severed a 2-2 and catapulted the Fury into their first lead of the night and the ultimate 4-3 verdict. His 7-goals lead all UHL rookies.

THE "BERNIE" RETURN: On the shelf for a trio of games due to an early season, opening weekend injury, fleet left wing Dave Noel-Bernier sounded his return to the Fury lineup Friday night on shot that seemed to split the night's air and heard all around the town. The former U. of Nebraska-Omaha standout ripped the chords to the tune of an electrifying SHG which proved to be the ultimate GWG in his team's 5-3 trumping of Port Huron. For the season, Noel-Bernier is 4(2-2-4) with a solid +4 rating.

JON IS ON: Four-year pro defenseman Jon Insana has made his presence felt in the Fury lineup since his return from the AHL. In his first 5-games, he has already authored 7-points on 2-goals, 5-assists with both strikes stoked on the power play, including 1-GWG. He has already climbed into the upper echelon of league-wide scoring among defensemen and has assembled an excellent +7 rating. The Fury's flashy defensive bulwark fashioned 3-masterful assists Friday night and earned the game's #2 Star in the 5-3 home ice triumph..

PERCOLATING RATING: The Fury's always redoubtable power play leads the UHL with 15-goals in just 7-games for an average of over 2-PPG per game. In fact, Muskegon has delivered at least one power play in each of its first 7-games of the infant season. For the record, they rank #2 in the loop at 15-68 for a proficiency rating of a healthy 22.1%. Meanwhile, the Fury shorthand band has been especially effective, ranking 5th in the league at 53-62 for an efficiency quotient of 85.5%. Thus far this season, the Fury have scored 2-SHG while surrendering the same number.

THE MILESTONES' MOMENT: With their two victories the past weekend, the Fury have now amassed some 599-lifetime regular season victories as they are just one win away from becoming the first team to attain 600-victories in UHL history. Todd Robinson's goal Saturday night in Kalamazoo tied him with Brant Blackned for second place on the Fury's all-time goal list with 141. Robinson has collected 367-assists in 360-Fury career games. Rustyn Dolyny 335(122-172-294) is just 6-points away from becoming only the 6th player to collect 300-points. Jon Insana (95) is 5-points from pro career 100 points. Goaltender Clayton Pool has posted the Fury's best winning percentage in club annals at 51-16-8 for a win percentage of .733.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": For the second straight Saturday night, the Fury rallied from a 2-0 first period deficit as they overcame the Wings in Kalamazoo, 4-3. One week earlier, on home ice, the Fury also rallied from a 2-0 first period shortfall in overtaking Chicago, 4-2. Through the first 7-games of the season, the Fury have outscored the opposition in the second period, 15-2. All 3 of rookie goaltender Ryan Cyr's starts have been at home where he sports a superb 3(3-0-0). On the impetus of their come back 5-3 triumph Saturday night over Kalamazoo, the Fury have upgraded their record at Wings Stadium to 16(11-2-3) in their last 16-episodes there and 25(19-3-3) in the last 25-appearances.

RECAP WRAP: Facing two games in two nights with both contests in combat against their own Eastern Division, the Fury responded with a pair of triumphs. Friday night on home ice, they dispatched Port Huron, 5-3. Todd Robinson was the victors' supreme catalyst with (2-2-4)1-PPG/FG and 1-ENG/UG. Evan Kotsopoulos, Billy Collins (PPG) and Dave Noel-Bernier (GWG/SHG) were the other sharpshooters with Jon Insana assisting thrice and Philippe Plante assisting twice. Ryan Cyr repelled 24-shots in goal. Saturday night, the scene shifted to Kalamazoo where the Fury ambushed the reigning champions, 4-3. This time the Fury rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a pair of goals in each of the last two periods totaling 4-unanswered as Elias Godoy (1-2-3)GTG, Robinson (1-1-2), Kotsopoulos (TBG) and Mike Watt GWG/PPG each connected and Clayton Pool making 34-saves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD THE FURY AT ELMIRA 7:30 PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH THE FURY AT ELMIRA 7:30 PM

The first two clashes of the campaign for these two newly-created intra-divisional rivals and the first of five bouts in the Empire State. In 2005-06, the Fury captured the season series, 2(2-0-0), outscoring the Jackals, 9-6. They prevailed on home ice on opening night, 10/22/05, 3-1 before shading the Elmirans in the lone First Arena contest back on 3/3/06, 6-5. Overall, including the playoffs, the Fury have won 12-in a row over the Jackals and are 7(4-3-0) lifetime in Elmira. The Jackals have won 5-in succession entering this game.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM

The second of 11-collisions between two in-state rivals with the Fury leading the series 1(1-0-0) following their 5-3 victory last Friday here in Muskegon. With their latest win, the Fury extended their unbeaten streak over the Flags to 11-in a row; 11(8-0-3). They are 6(4-0-2) against the Flags at McMorran Place Arena. The Fury will be making six sojourns to Port Huron this season, facsimile to the 2005-06 season.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 29, 2006


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