Fury play four straight OTs for the week

February 20, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Having completed the past four games in six days week's slate by garnering 5 of an optimum total of 8-points, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, saw extra time action in all four of their outings. Under the direction of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury charter played in four consecutive OTSO for the past week. In the process, they posted a 4(1-0-3) record and maintained a slight 2-points' advantage over climbing Kalamazoo in the UHL's Central Division standings. Having now reached the two-thirds pole of the 76-game schedule, the Fury, through 50-games, have registered an overall record of a gleaming and glowing 50(35-8-7) totaling 77-points with 2-games in hand on the Kalamazooans who have posted a season's mark of 52(35-12-5) for 75-points. Kalamazoo is riding high in the saddle these days, having earned a record of 6(5-1-0) in its last 6-decisions and 10(8-2-0) in the last 10-verdicts. The Wings have also posted a 6(5-1-0) mark in their last half-dozen dates on the homestead while generating a masterful 11(9-2-0) slate in their last 11- foreign ice affairs. Muskegon still has four more meetings on the docket with the Wings with three of those coming on home ice in Muskegon. The Fury are currently 7(3-3-1) against the closest divisional foes. Meanwhile, the Fury squadron is ranked second in the league's overall 14-team standings, trailing Western Division and league-leading Rockford by 3-points with one game in hand on the Ice Hogs. Rockford's season record stands at a hale and hearty 51(37-8-6) for 80-points. Presently, the Illinois-based club is an outstanding 28(21-2-5) in their last 28-dates. Regarding the third division top spot, Danbury 55(32-13-10) has collected 74-points. The Trashers are just 3-points in arrears of Muskegon though the home town team enjoys the potential luxury of 5-games in hand on the Con-necticut crew. This week, the Fury will complete their 13-games' February agenda with 3-games in 3-days on the weekend. Friday night, they will journey to "The Garage" in Fraser, where they will collide with third-place division rival Motor City before returning home for a pair of appearances beginning Saturday night against Fort Wayne and culminated Sunday afternoon in a 2:00 matinee encore presentation against always-imposing Rockford.

CHECKERED RECORD RECENT: Involved in 4-consecutive OTSO affairs for the past week, the "Furious Ones" managed a mark of 4(1-0-3), collecting 5 of a possible 8-points available. In so doing, "Todd's Team" dissolved a 5-game winless stretch: 5(0-3-2), the longest of this current campaign. At the moment, the Fury are 7(1-3-3) through the past 7-starts with the lone triumph exacted in the OTSO. This present Fury stagnant state has immediately followed a UHL league-best 15-games undefeated streak at 15(13-0-2) lasting for 6-straight weeks. For the season, the Fury are 50(35-8-7) for 77-points and a win percentage of .770. Dating back to last regular season and Tarry Cup II, the Fury are a fabulous 59(41-10-8) in their last 59-starts; last 81-games; 81(57-13-11); last 100-regular season games; 100(70-18-12). One year ago, after the first 50-games, the kingpins were 50(30-15-5) for 65-points. Thus, Muskegon's edition one year later has amassed 5-more wins, has 7-fewer defeats and 12-more points. So far this season, the Fury have achieved two impressive 10-game win streaks and one 5-game win skein. The Fury have also accomplished a 7-games unbeaten streak; 7(6-0-1). In the 2004-05 season, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury accrued a 9-game win skein and an all-time club record and season-best 17-games unsullied surge; 17(14-0-3). Last season as well, the Fury attained two 10-game undefeated with both being 10(9-0-1). For the monthly returns thus far: October 3(3-0-0); November 12(11-1-0); December 14(8-4-2); January 11(10-0-1); February 10(3-3-4).

HOME HEALTH WIN WEALTH: The past weekend, the Fury did convert a 2(1-0-1) record into 3-more precious points in the standings on home ice. Their Saturday come back 7-6 OTSO success over Rockford halted an uncharacteristic 3-game winless streak at home for the Champions II. The Fury have still maintained a tie with Kala-mazoo for the UHL's second best home record at 26(18-5-3). The Fury's top home streaks this season at have been 6-wins in a row and also a 5-game winning streak. Muskegon has also accumulated a season's best 9-game unblemished skein on home ice; 9(8-0-1). They are 42(32-7-3) in their last 42-home episodes and a dynamic 84(65-13-6) in their last 84-home games.

BEST SHOW ON THE ROAD: Despite enduring a present tense 4-games road winless spell at 4(0-2-2), the first-place Fury still boast the circuit supreme foreign ice log at 24(17-3-4). Their last taste of success abroad was prior to the UHL's All-Star game as the Fury dismissed Flint, 5-2, back on January 22nd. Muskegon's longest road streak thus far this season has been 7-in a row which they have established twice; 7(7-0-0), along with an 11-game road unsullied streak of 11(10-0-1) and an 8-game binge of 8(7-0-1).

DIVISION DIMENSION: The Fury have been truly flourishing outside their own Central Division thus far this season. Against the Western and Eastern Divisions combined the Fury mark is a nearly insuperable 22(19-1-2). Within their own Central Division, they are 28(16-7-5).The breakdown: Central Division 28(16-7-5); home: 15(9-4-2); road: 13(7-3-3). Port Huron 8(5-0-3); home: 3(2-0-1); road: 5(3-0-2); Flint 6(4-1-1); home: 4(3-0-1); road: 2(1-0-1). Motor City 7(4-3-0); home: 5(3-2-0); road: 2(1-1-0); Kalamazoo 7(3-3-1); home: 3(1-2-0); road: 4(2-1-1). Western Division: Fort Wayne 4(4-0-0); home: 2(2-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0); Rockford 3(3-0-0); home: 2(2-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Missouri 4(3-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 3(2-1-0); Quad City 3(2-0-1); home: 2(1-0-1); road: 1(1-0-0). Eastern Division: Richmond 3(2-0-1); home: 1(0-0-1); road: 2(2-0-0); Roanoke 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Danbury 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); Elmira 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0).

STILL SCORING BUT "D" SNORING: In the midst of their first real swoon of the season, the Fury's juggernaut continues to generate and percolate offensively. With a 7(1-3-3) mark in the last 7-dates, Muskegon has delivered a dynamic 30-GF for a GFA of 4.29. However, it has been defensively where they have taken some of the luster off the high-powered Fury machine. In those same 7-games, the Fury have uncharacteristically allotted a rather inordinate and exorbitant 39-GA for a GAA of 5.54. For the season overall and for a third straight year running, the Fury arsenal is #1 in the league with an astronomical 229-GF in just 50-games for a GFA of a prodigious 4.58. Defensively, though, the Fury have been somewhat susceptible and vulnerable, falling from first to seventh in the circuit, yielding 160-GA in those 50-games for a GAA of 3.20.

THE GUNNERY GALLERY: That high-tech, high-octane Fury attack has spawned domination in virtually all of the UHL's principal offensive departments thus far this season. No fewer than five Fury flashy forwards are among the top 12-scoring elite. Robin Bouchard 50(47-46-93) is the league's top scoring king with Jeff Nelson 47(26-64-90) ranked #2 and David Wrigley ranked 7th with 53(29-31-60). Ryan Keller 42(30-28-58) is 9th and Todd Robinson 30(13-44-57) is listed 10th. Bouchard's 47-goals are UHL foremost while Nelson's 64-assists are #1 in the UHL. Bouchard also leads the UHL in PPG with 24, SOG with 257 and multi-goal games with 12. David Wrigley (7) is tops in the loop in GWG with rookie running mate Ryan Keller (6) right behind. Wrigley's 4-SHG strikes rank 3rd in the loop. Nelson's +35 rating is UHL runner-up with Wrigley (+31) ranked #4. Brett Angel's 16-major penalties rank as 4th most in the general consensus. Wrigley and Keller are ranked #1 and #2 in the league scoring among the rookies with Wrigley's 11-PPG ranked rookie runner-up. Keller (30) and Wrigley (29) are the top goal marksmen among the league's rookies. Angel's 194-PIM rank 4th among the freshman class. Wrigley (+32) and Keller (+28) are the top two plus rookie players. For the defense, loaned to AHL Cleveland's Trevor Johnson 43(7-33-40) ranks 5th among the elite blue line brigade people while Dave Van Drunen 50(7-21-28) is 12th.

ROBIN ROCKET: The Fury's All-Star right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard still has his foot on the gas driving his Fury team to the promised land. The UHL's all-time greatest goal-scorer ever enjoyed another majestic week of goal and point productivity. In 4-games, he was 4(5-5-10) with 18-SOG and a +1 rating. In the latter two games the past weekend, the "Gun-Sling King" authored 7 of his scoring points, including two consecutive 2-goal performances which brought his season output in multiple goal games to a league-best 12. In his last 18-games, he is 18(18-18-36). For the season he is averaging an amazing 1.86 points per game. Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

SMOOTH MOVE MOTION: Center Jeff Nelson may be having one of his best seasons yet in his illustrious 14-year career right here in Muskegon this season. In 4-games the past week, the "smooth move" maestro essayed an elegant 10-points on 1-goal, 9-assists, carding a +2 rating and 15-SOG. In his last 19-games, he is percolating to the tune of 19(9-27-36).

"T. ROB" RIDE: Center Todd Robinson also orchestrated a monumental week of offensive production for "Team Title" the past week. Recording scoring points in 3 of the Fury's 4-games, the 6-year veteran was 4(2-7-9) in the Fury's 4-outings. The past Saturday night was the major marquis night for the Fury's second all-time leading scoring kingpin as he dynamically delivered a 5-points' masterpiece on 1-goal and 4-assists. His goal came with spine-tingling, spellbinding riveting theater, scoring with just :52 remaining in regulation time to tie league-leading Rockford to complete the come back crescendo. The Fury then promptly proceeded to ultimately prevail in the OTSO over the ‘Hogs, 7-6.

"KELL-OMETER:" Speedy left wing Ryan Keller is back on the track with his vast repertoire of offensive weapon-ry. In the three games in three days the past weekend, the former WHL Saskatoon Blade ripped 4-goals and collected 5-total points. In his latter 2-games; he was 2(3-1-4) including a 2-goal effort in the Saturday OTSO come-from-behind triumph. It was the Fury rookie find's 7th multiple goal of the season.

CRANE IS THE NAME: The newest member of the Fury, former Western Michigan U. defenseman Ryan Crane has possessed plenty of notion with his motion in his brief stint with his new teams and "digs." In fact, Friday night, with his team trailing visiting Richmond by a daunting 5-0 late second period deficit, Crane took matters into his own hands by singularly delivering the first 3-goal "hat trick" of his entire career on 4-SOG to fuel the Fury rally which actually did expunge that 5-0 shortfall. He was acclaimed with his first-ever Fury Star of the Game honors after his magnificent performance. For his first full week with his newly-adopted squad, Crane was outstanding. In 4-games, he was 4(3-0-3) with 6-SOG, 6-PIM and a superb +4 rating.

EXTRA MAN MONEY: The Muskegon power play has been on the top of its game in recent action. Ranked #1 in the UHL at 74-283 for a proficiency rating of 26.3, the extra man band is 6 for the last 12 for 50.0%; 8 for the last 20 for 40.0% and 9 for the last 21 for a rating of 42.9%. The Fury penalty-killing cast is another matter all together now. In sharp contrast to the power play fructifying foray, the shorthand band has fallen from first to fifth in the loop, operating at 84.1% with the opposition 55-340. Muskegon's adversaries are 6-16 for a Fury efficiency rating of 62.5%. Muskegon's penalty-killing was #1 in the UHL last season, operating at over 89.0% and yielding only 44-PPGA all season long.

THE MILESTONES MINT: Todd Robinson (126) is just 8-goals away from tying Brett Seguin (134) for third place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Rustyn Dolyny (110) needs just 3-more goals to equal Paul Kelly (113) for 6th place all-time in Fury career goal-scoring prowess. Dolyny (11) has already tied Seguin (11) for #2 all-time in Fury career SHG. Steve O'Rourke (95) is 5-points away from pro career 100. Ken Fels (990) is just 10-PIM away from pro career 1,000-PIM. Dave Van Drunen (985) is 15-PIM from 1,000.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Not only have the last 4-Fury games been prolonged to the OTSO but 8 of their last 14-games have ended that same way. The Fury are 9(7-1-1) on Sunday this season and 7(6-0-1) on the road. In their last 15-home games against Rockford, the Fury are undefeated at 15(12-0-3). When the Fury surrender 3-GA or less, they are unbeaten at 30(28-0-2). Entering the third period with the lead the Fury are 28(25-0-3). In three of their last 4-games, the Fury have frittered away sizable 3-goal advantages.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: Faced with the daunting assignment of 4-games in 6-days, the Fury responded with a record of 4(1-0-3), accruing 5 of 8-points. Tuesday night on Valentine's Night, the Fury skated on pink ice in Kalama-zoo where they squandered a late 5-2 third period lead before salvaging a single point in the standings in a 6-5 OTSO outcome. Jeff Petruic (2-1-3)PPG, Todd Robinson (1-2-3)PPG, Robin Bouchard (PPG) and David Wrigley (PPG) connected for the Fury who fired 4-PPG. Jeff Nelson authored 3-assists. Returning home Friday night, the Fury faded early, falling behind Richmond 5-0. Undaunted and unruffled the Fury responded with 5-unanswered strikes to tie it, featured by Ryan Crane's 3-goal "hat trick," 1-goal, 3-assists from J. Nelson and a singleton from Ryan Keller. Bouchard assisted twice. This one also was resolved in the OTSO with the same replica result of 6-5. Saturday night, staying at home, the Fury could not secure the regulation triumph over Rockford as they were profligate of a 4-1 second period lead and were forced to rally with 2-late, dramatic third period goals to gain the deadlock before ultimately prevailing 7-6 in yet another OTSO. Robinson (1-4-5) was a real standout for the Fury with Bouchard (2-2-4) also a true sparkplug was Ryan Keller with a pair of stoked strikes and Rustyn Dolyny (1-2-3) also contributed. Sunday on the road in Flint, the Fury, again, could not hold a 3-goal lead as the Generals came back to gain the OTSO 4-3 success. Bouchard (2-1-3)PPG, Keller (1-1-2)FG connected for the Fury with Nelson assisting twice.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH THE FURY AT MOTOR CITY 7:30 PM The two Central Division opponents will lock antlers for the eighth time this season and the third time at "The Garage" in Fraser. The Fury do hold a slight edge in the series, 7(4-3-0). They are 5(3-2-0) at home and 2 (1-1-0) on the road. In the last action back on February 10th in Motor City, the Mechanics prevailed, 6-4. The Fury have a road lifetime record in Motor City of 6(4-2-0).

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

For the third time this season the Komets come to Muskegon. However, the Komets team bears little resemblance to the Fort Wayners the Fury saw earlier in the season when Muskegon swept through the initial 4-meetings, 4(4-0-0); 2(2-0-0) at Fort Wayne and 2(2-0-0) on home ice. Since then, the K's have gone 31(22-7-2) in their last 31-games. The last clash was back on December 4th on home ice where the Fury blanked Fort Wayne club, 1-0.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH ROCKFORD AT THE FURY 2:00 PM

For the second straight weekend, the Fury and the Ice Hogs will test each other's resolve with Tarry Cup implications to heighten the spirited rivalry. Last Saturday night, also at home, the Fury staged a late comeback to prevail in the OTSO, 7-6. Entering the new week, Rockford is reveling with a 28(21-2-5) record in the last 28-games. They are 9(8-0-1) in the last 9 abroad. Currently, the Fury lead the season series, 3(3-0-0) and 2(2-0-0) at home.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 20, 2006


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