Fury reach 100 points for fourth straight year

Published on March 26, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TOP TEAM TALES: Having reached the 70-games mark of their 76-games' 2006-07 United Hockey League sched-ule, the UHL's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, are inching closer to the league's regular season sum-mit comprised of two honored distinctions; the Eastern Division title and the Tarry Cup regular season championship. Under the doctrine according to first year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Fury face the final two weeks and last 6-regular season games nearing their quest of complete and total home ice advantage throughout the league's annual post-season showcase classic, the Colonial Cup Playoffs, coming up in mid-April. Through 70-games, the league-leaders have compiled a superlative record of 70(48-18-4) totaling 100-points. They will embark upon the league's last two weeks maintaining a 10-points'margin over second place defending champion Kalamazoo 69(42-21-6)90-points with the Wings having one game in hand on Muskegon. The Wings are currently riding the rising rapids of a 5-game win streak with a supreme 19(14-4-1) mark through their last 19-games. The Muskegon magic numbers for attaining Eastern Division titlist timber stand at 5-points or 2-wins and one tie to capture that crown. Meanwhile in the chase for the league's grand regular season prize, the Fury lead over Western Division front-running Fort Wayne 70(45-21-4) 94-points is 6-points with the Fury's magic numbers at 7-points or 3-wins and 1-tie. Concerning Western Division runner-up Rockford 70(43-21-6) 92-points, Muskegon's numbers are also 5-points or 2-wins and 1-tie in their remain-ing 6-games. Fort Wayne is 7(5-1-1) in the last 7-games with the lone setback inflicted by the Fury. Rockford is 4(3-1-0) in the last 4-starts. The Fury have one more game remaining with each of its top three pursuers. One home game with Kalamazoo and road games the final week of the season against Rockford and Fort Wayne in that order. With the second to last week of the campaign coming up, the Muskegon club faces three games in three days. The current 4-game home stand concludes this weekend with a pair of encounters against divisional rivals Port Huron Friday night and aforementioned Kalamazoo on Saturday night. Sunday, it's another road show with the bus pulling into the Quad City port of entry on Sunday afternoon.

CENTURY SOUND: For the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time over the past six years, the Fury have attained the coveted, prestigious 100-points' plateau through their present record of 70(48-18-4) and a winning percentage of .714. This is the sixth overall season in the 15-year history under the Fury banner that Muskegon has reached the century-point class. With two more wins in their remaining six games, the Fury will be in position to accrue their third consecutive 50-victories' season and the fourth in club annals. At this stage of the season, the Fury are 7(4-2-1) in their last 7-games; last 10(5-3-2); last 13(6-4-3), allotting only 28-GA in that span; last 21(10-8-3). During the first half the record was 38(32-5-1); in the second half thus far 32(16-13-3). One year ago after 70-games, the Fury had engineered a magnificent mark of 70(49-14-7) for 105-points. Currently, the Fury have one less win, 4-more losses and 5-fewer points than one year ago. The longest winning streaks of the season have been two 8-game victory streaks and one 7-game win streak plus four 3-game win streaks. There has also been one 5-game unblemished skein; 5(4-0-1). Longest losing streak of the year has been one of 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 14(6-5-3).

THE HOME DOME TOME: The past weekend, the "Furious Ones" returned home after a two weeks' absence from Walker Arena. They proceeded to post a 2(1-0-1) mark; dispatching Fort Wayne Saturday night, 3-1 before earning one important point in the standings in a 5-4 OTSO outcome against Bloomington on Sunday. In the process, the Fury upgraded their home record to 35(24-9-2), mirroring their road record for the season. They are 5(3-0-2) in their last 5-home appearances, limiting the foreign ice interlopers to only 10-goals in that positive stretch. Their 24-home wins are second most in the UHL behind Fort Wayne 36(25-9-2). Last season, the Muskegon mark on home ice was 38(27-8-3). The longest home win streak of the season is 8-in succession, paralleling their initial 8-home outings of the season. They have also accrued a 6-game home win skein and one 3-game victory streak as well.

ROAD RECORD REPLICA: In extracting a come-from-behind 2-1 OTSO triumph Wednesday night at Port Huron, the Fury equaled their club record for most foreign ice victories in one season at 24 set just last season when they were 38(24-10-4) away from home bay. At 35(24-9-2) the Fury identically match their home mark at this juncture of the campaign with three more treks abroad available to set the new standard at 25-road successes. The Fury record for least road setbacks in a single season is 10, also established last season. The "Ramsay Rendition" is 5(3-2-0) in its last 5-sojourns abroad and 11(4-6-1) in their last 11-dates. Earlier this season, Muskegon set a new club record with an 11-game road win streak. They have also collected one 4-game victory skein away from home. They Fury's remaining road dates are in Quad City, Rockford and Fort Wayne in that order.

THE DIVISION DICHOTOMY: Since the season's nativity, the Fury have truly prospered against both sets of divisional foes. Within the borders of their own Eastern Division, they are 41(27-11-3); at home: 19(12-6-1); on the road: 22(15-5-2). The breakdown: Elmira 9(8-1-0)44-29; home: 4(4-0-0)17-12; road: 5(4-1-0)27-17. Flint 11(7-3-1)41-23; home: 6(3-2-1)16-13; road: 5(4-1-0)25-11. Kalamazoo 11(6-4-1)37-27; home: 5(3-2-0)21-11; road: 6(3-2-1)16-16; Port Huron 10(6-3-1)31-27; home: 4(2-2-0)13-13; road 6(4-1-1)18-14. In the Western Division, the Fury record stands at 29(21-7-1); at home: 16(12-3-1); 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 6(5-0-1)30-12; home: 3(2-0-1)14-10; road: 3(3-0-0)16-2. Quad City 5(4-1-0); 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 6(2-4-0)12-19; home: 3(1-2-0)7-10; road: 3(1-2-0)5-9.

DEFINING DEFENSE: The Fury have intensified their defensive prowess in recent activity as they prepare for the second season and the Colonial Cup Playoffs. In posting a mark of 13(6-4-3) in their last 13-games, the Fury have yielded only 28-GA for a GAA of a stingy and stellar 2.15. Moreover, in their past 5-home outings, they have allowed only 10-GA for a GAA of 2.00. Only twice in their last 14-games has Muskegon surrendered more than 2-GA. For the season, the team of Fury-men rank a lofty 4th in the UHL with 187-GA in 70-games for a GAA of a frugal 2.67.

ELITE STREET TECHNIQUE: As the UHL's top goal-cannoneering coterie, the Fury have cast a major influence upon the who's who of the league sweet elite this season. Leading Scoring: 1- Todd Robinson 70(43-78-121); 5- Mike Watt 64(35-42-77); 6- (tied) Rustyn Dolyny 59(25-49-74); 10- (tied) Philippe Plante 70(18-48-66). In Goals: 1- Robinson (43); 6- Watt (35). In Assists: 1- Robinson (78); 3- Dolyny (49); 4- (tied) Plante (48). In PPA: 2- Robinson (30); 3- (tied) Plante (27). In SOG: 3- Watt (310); 4- Robinson (306). In GWG: 1- Robinson (11) tying UHL record. In SHG: 1- Robinson (9). In PIM: 3- Adam Smyth (236). Best PLUS: 1- Dave Van Drunen (+47); 2- Robinson (+42); 3- Plante (+40); 4- Dolyny (+33). In Rookie Scoring: 9- Evan Kotsopoulos 69(16-25-41); 12- Elias Godoy 24(11-25-36). In Rookie GWG: 1- (tied) Justin Coutu (4). In Rookie PIM: 1- Kotsopoulos (204). On Defense: 2- Plante 70(18-48-66); In Goals: 3- Plante (18). In Assists: 2- Plante (48). In SHG: 1- Plante (2). In the goaltending category: 4- Clayton Pool 2.45 GAA; 3- SPCT. 919; 3- Wins: 32. 4- shutouts: 3. Ryan Cyr 7th in GAA at 2.79.

THE "COOP" DE VILLE FILL: Fleet right wing Kevin Cooper is hitting his stride at the real ideal time of the season. The former two-time ECAC Division III Player of the Year from Middlebury College out of Vermont has lightning coming out of his skate blades as he punches up his game with dash, flash, panache and a strong hint of bash. In 4-games the past week, he authored 5-points on 2-goals, 3-assists with 19-SOG and +2 rating. He was heralded as the #1 Star Saturday night, delivering the GWG in his teams' key, clutch, 3-1 verdict over Fort Wayne. Add one more goal for "Coop" de Ville in Sunday's OTSO against Bloomington. Composing two consecutive 2-point performances, the 33-goal artisan of a year ago with Elmira is now 8(4-6-10) in his last 8-games. Cooper is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE POOL POLICE OF CREASE: Third year goaltender Clayton Pool seems to be pointing toward the post season with his crease police polish. Seeing supreme service in all 4 of his team's games, he fashioned a 4(2-1-1) mark with a thrifty 2.58 GAA and .912 SPCT. He was at the Fury focal point Wednesday night in Port Huron in the Fury's 2-1 OTSO victory and earned the game's #2 Star accolades Saturday night in the momentous Muskegon marooning of Fort Wayne, 3-1. For the second consecutive week, Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

IT'S NOEL-BERNIER IN THE STRAIGHTAWAY: Flashy forward Dave Noel-Bernier seems to have fine-tuned his turbo-charged engines for the best time of the year in his Fury career. The past weekend, the lithe-like left wing was electrifying with his offensive flights, jet-streaming to the beat of 5-points in 2-games on 3-goals, 2-assists and +3 rating. In Saturday night's 3-1 win over Fort Wayne, he maestroed 1-goal, 1-assist, connecting on the game's key FG before arranging the GWG for linemate Kevin Cooper as we was hailed the game's #3 Star. The next afternoon, he singularly brought the Fury back with 2-spellbinding singular coast-to-coast flights that erased a 4-2 deficit and salvaged one precious point in the standings through the regulation 4-4 saw-off. With a total of three points on the afternoon (2-1-3), Noel-Bernier was saluted as the game's #1 Star. That's not the end of it, either. He was also a stellar 2/2 in marksmanship in the Fury's 2-OTSO games for the week.

THE "T. ROB" ROCK & SOCK: The UHL's foremost scoring architect, center Todd Robinson added yet another week of point-prolific proficiency. Despite a less than winning result Friday night in Flint, the Fury's second all-time leading scoring kingpin orchestrated 4-points including his third 3-goal "hat trick" of the season which included 2-PPG and 1-SHG. It was "T. Rob's" 33rd-multi-point game of his phenomenal season and 10th multiple goal game. He was accorded the game's #1 Star. Already attaining all-time personal pro career highs of 43-goals and 121-points, Robinson's next point will tie the Fury club record of 122 currently shared by Brett Seguin and Sergei Kharin. He presently holds a commanding 33-points' lead for his first-ever pro scoring title as he seeks to become the third member of the Fury to capture the league's coveted jewel over the past 4-years and the third to accomplish the feat in the past two seasons. His 9th SHG of the year Friday night at Flint also set a new Fury club record in that department for a single season.

THE TRIUMVIRATE PERCOLATE: A new rookie trio has arrived in our town and each has strutted his wares eliciting adulation in the air everywhere. Right wing Ryan Menei had 2(1-1-2) the past weekend with a+3 rating and a monumental first-ever pro goal Saturday night to cinch and clinch the victory over Fort Wayne. In Wednesday night's harrowing come back win in Port Huron, Menei uncorked the ultimate GWG on the Fury's first shot of the sudden death OTSO to defeat the Flags. He is a 35-goal cannoneer from Saskatoon of the WHL. For the defense, Cleve Kinley and Kyle Raftis have been extraordinary through their initial 3-games. Kinley is already 3(0-3-3) with an outstanding +5 rating, having captained the U. Mass-Lowell River Hawks of the highly-regarded Hockey East Conference. As for Raftis, the OHL Peterborough Petes captain has also authored 3-assists in his first 3-games; 3(0-3-3). In 68-games with the Petes this season, he was 68(11-44-55).

SPECIAL TEAMS TUNING: The Fury power plant power play remains a mystery with its lack of a consistent knack on the attack. Currently rated circuit 6th, it is 61-419 for a proficiency percentage of 14.6%. They are currently 0 for the last 10 and 4 for the last 30 for a conversion mark of 13.3%. However, the penalty-killing cast of characters has been kinetic. Ranked a lofty #3 in the league overall and #2 in the UHL on the road, the Fury are operating at an excellent 86.6% at 406-469 with 19-SHG which rank as 2nd best in the loop. The opposition competition is only 5 for the last 51; 90.2% and 6 for the last 73; 91.8% efficiency. The opposition is only 10 for the last 105.

MILESTONES MEMENTOS: Todd Robinson has set the Fury single season record for SHG with 9. With his 2-PPG Friday night at Flint, Todd Robinson has moved into a tie for third place with Brett Seguin for career PPG with 45. Mike Watt played pro career game #600 Saturday night against Fort Wayne. Joe Pomaranski (98) is 2-games away from pro career 100. Dave Van Drunen (197) is 3-points from pro career 200. Billy Collins (198) is 2-games from pro career 200. Goaltender Clayton Pool 117(78-28-11) has posted the best career win percentage in Fury history at .713.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Only 3-Fury players have played all 70-games this season; Philippe Plante, Todd Robinson and Chase Trull. In their last 177-regular season games, the Fury have posted a record of 177(121-40-16) for a win percentage of .703. When they rallied from a 1-0 third period deficit to prevail Wednes-day night in Port Huron, 2-1 OTSO, the Fury posted their league-high 7th 3rd period come-from-behind win of the season. All three of Todd Robinson's 3-goal "hat tricks" this season have been recorded on the road; 2- in Port Huron and the last one in Flint. New defenseman Cleve Kinley was a teammate of the Fury's injured center Elias Godoy at U. Mass-Lowell.

THE WRAP RECAP: Faced with a daunting assignment of 4-games in 5-days, the Fury responded with a 4(2-1-1) mark. Wednesday night in Port Huron, they rallied from a 1-0 deficit on the GTG from Joe Pomaranski with 8:17 remaining in the third frame before rookie Ryan Menei won it on the first Fury shot of the sudden-death OTSO, 2-1. Clayton Pool was paramount to the victory with 33-saves. Dave Noel-Bernier and Todd Robinson also connected in extra time. Friday night in Flint, the Fury nearly overcame a 5-1 deficit and simply ran out of time in a 5-4 setback to the Generals. Robinson (3-1-4) 2-PPG/1-SHG spearheaded Muskegon's spirited come back counterattack with Philippe Plante also connecting and adding 2-assists. Saturday night, on home, in a command performance, the Fury halted a 4-game losing streak to Fort Wayne and vanquished the Komets, 3-1. Dave Noel-Bernier (1-1-2)FG, Kevin Cooper (1-1-2)GWG and Ryan Menei (IG) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen while Clayton Pool brushed aside 28 of 29 shots. Sunday, also at home, the Fury were profligate of an early 2-0 lead but did come back to salvage one important point in a 5-4 OTSO affair against Bloomington. Noel-Bernier (2-1-3)PG/GTG was the Fury's scoring hero with Robinson (FG) and Cooper caging singletons. Kyle Raftis had 2-assists. The Fury were out-goaled in the OTSO, 3-2 with Noel-Bernier and Cooper, again, connecting for the home team. Pool supplanted Ryan Cyr in goal making 10-saves.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 30TH PORT HURON AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

For the third consecutive week the two Michigan Eastern Division foes will lock horns. It's the fifth meeting in Muskegon and the 11th and final clash of the campaign with the Fury 10(6-3-1) against the Flags who have posted victories in each of their last two treks to Muskegon, 4(2-2-0). This may unfold into a possible first round playoffs preview as the Fury begin the new week as the #1 seed and the Flags are listed at #4.

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

The second to last home game of the regular season for the Fury as they battle the Wings for the 12th and final time in the regular phase and the sixth time at Walker Arena where the Fury have won the last 2-bouts. For the season, the Fury are 11(6-4-1) against the defending champions who begin the week riding the crest of a 5-game win streak. Kalamazoo is still very much in the picture for the Eastern Division crown in their bid to overtake the first place Fury.

SUNDAY, APRIL 1ST THE FURY AT QUAD CITY 4:00 PM

The lone team that the Fury still have two games remaining on the late season schedule. Muskegon leads the series, 5(4-1-0), posting a 3(3-0-0) mark at home and 2(1-1-0) on the road. The Mallards will provide the Fury their regular season home finale opponent on the final night of the regular season, April 7th in Muskegon.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 26, 2007


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