Fury stay hot

Published on January 21, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TOP TEAM TALES: The United Hockey League's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, have completed their initial week of play following the UHL All-Star Classic as they embark on the final 32-games of the 2006-07 schedule. Under the astute auspices of first year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Fury have compiled an absolutely extraordinary record of 44(36-7-1) totaling 73-points and .830 winning percentage. Having attained considerable advantages atop the Eastern Division and overall UHL standings, the men of Muskegon pro hockey are standing on the precipice of yet another major milestone in this magical campaign. Through the first 44-games of the current campaign, the league-leading Fury have already closed to within 4-victories of achieving their fourth consecutive 40-victories' season; their fifth in the last six years; eighth in 10-years and 10th over the past 13-seasons. This past week, the Fury completed an extended four-game home stand with a mark of 4(3-1-0) as they are in the midst of playing eight of nine games at the amiable climes and environs of their home of Walker Arena. Entering the final full week in the month of January this week, the Fury are confronted with another daunting assignment consisting of three games in three days with the initial one abroad and the latter two on home ice. Friday night, the Fury junket to Bloomington where they will be entertained by the vastly improved and upgraded fledgling Prairie Thunder. Returning home for the balance of the last weekend of the opening month of the new calendar year, the Fury will play host to West Division front-running Fort Wayne on Saturday night as the Komets become the last member club to come to Muskegon for the '06-07 season. Then on Sunday, it's another "Meijer Matinee" with the Fury guesting divisional rival Elmira in a 2:00 pm face-off. Those three games will conclude the Fury's 13-games' slate for January 2007.

MUST SEE FURY TV: Three times each week, the greater Muskegon area community can catch and watch all of the action of first place Fury hockey on local cable-TV. The Fury game replays are shown in their entirety every Monday night at 9:00 pm; every Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm and, again, Saturday mornings at 11:00am. Watch the Fury on TV on Comcast Cable Channel 97.

4 MORE FOR 40: With their overall record standing at 44(36-7-1) for 73-points, the Fury are just 4-victories henceforth from their fourth consecutive 40-victory season. Following a 2(1-1-0) week with both games being played at home, Muskegon is 10(7-2-1) in its last 10-outings. When they trembled to Flint Saturday night, 4-1, the Fury saw their third 3-game win streak of the season rendered asunder. Thus far this season, the Fury have earned two 8-game win streaks, one 7-game win streak and one 5-games' undefeated span 5(4-0-1). For the Fury presently; last 14(10-3-1); last 22(17-4-1); last 26(20-5-1). Their total victories of 36 represent 10-more wins than the rest of the UHL. In their last 151-regular season decisions, they have engineered an amazing mark of 151(109-29-13) for a win percentage of .765. The monthly records thus far this season: October 7(7-0-0); November 13(11-2-0); December 14(11-3-0); January 10(7-2-1).

HOMESTEAD BEST: Having performed in both of their outings this past weekend at home, the "Furious Ones" posted a mark of 2(1-1-0) being outscored 5-3. Muskegon has maintained the UHL's foremost home record at a gleaming and glowing 22(18-4-0) overall with their 18-home triumphs being three more than the rest of the league while their 4-home setbacks represent the fewest in the loop. When they bowed to Flint Saturday night, 4-1, the Fury saw their second longest home winning streak brought to a cessation at 6-in a row; 6(6-0-0). It was the league-leaders first loss at home since a December 26th 4-3 setback inflicted by defending league titlist Kalamazoo. Muskegon's longest win streak at home thus far this season has been 8-straight; 8(8-0-0) which they attained through their first 8-home games of this season. In their last 11-games on home ice, the Fury are 11(9-2-0). All four of their home setbacks have been incurred within their own Eastern Division; 13(9-4-0) with three of those four defeats coming by a scant single goal margin. The Fury are undefeated on home ice against the Western Division at 10(10-0-0).

APTITUDE AT LOW ALTITUDE: On the UHL's long runways at exceedingly low altitude, the Fury's road expeditions have met with rave reviews and raging success. Their record of 22(18-3-1) is by far the best in the league. The 18-road wins are three more than all of the UHL while their three defeats are four less than the rest of the UHL. The Fury have already set the all-time club record with an 11-game road win skein. They have also compiled a 4-game victory streak away from home and a 4-game unsullied streak abroad at 4(3-0-1).

DIVISION PRECISION: The first place team wearing the Fury crest continues to dominate in both of the UHL divisions thus far this season. Within their own Eastern Division, the Fury have authored a royal, regal record of 24(18-5-1); at home:12(8-4-0); on the road: 12(10-1-1). The breakdown: Flint 8(6-2-0)30-16; home: 5(3-2-0)15-11; road: 3(3-0-0)15-5. Kalamazoo 7(5-2-0)29-18; home: 4(2-2-0)17-10; road: 3(3-0-0)12-8. Port Huron 5(4-0-1)22-16; home: 2(2-0-0)10-7; road: 3(2-0-1)12-9. Elmira 4(3-1-0)18-15; home: 1(1-0-0)3-2; road: 3(2-1-0)15-13. The Western Division overall record stands at 20(18-2-0); at home: 10(10-0-0); road: 10(8-2-0). The breakdown: Chicago 6(6-0-0)21-12; home: 3(3-0-0)10-4; road: 3(3-0-0)11-8. Bloomington 4(4-0-0)21-6; home: 2(2-0-0)10-5; road: 2(2-0-0)11-1. Quad City 5(4-1-0)29-15; home: 3(3-0-0)20-9; road: 2(1-1-0)9-6. Rockford 3(3-0-0)10-5; home: 2(2-0-0)7-3; road: 1(1-0-0)3-2. Fort Wayne 2(1-1-0)4-4; road: 2(1-1-0)4-4.

FIRST FOR/FIRST AGAINST: Through 44-games, the Fury have landed at the top of the pinnacle in both major team-oriented categories for team offense and team defense. They are the highest scoring aggregation nation in the league, having registered 185-GF for a GFA of 4.20. Muskegon has scored 44-more goals than the rest of the league. Seven times the Fury have erupted volcanically to the tune of 7 or more goals in a single game. Defensively, the Muskegon "icers" have permitted only 108-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.45. In their recently completed 4-game home stand, the Fury allotted only 6-GA for a GAA of a stingy and stellar 1.50.

TOP FLIGHT BRIGHT: The league-leaders continue to dominate the majority of the major departments around the UHL in this current campaign. They still have retained the top 3 point-scoring artisans and 4 of the top 6 in the loop. 1- Todd Robinson 44(28-56-84); 2- Rustyn Dolyny 41(17-40-57); 3- Mike Watt 38(25-27-52); 6- Philippe Plante 44(12-32-44). In UHL goal scoring: 1- (tied) Robinson (28); 3- Watt (25). In UHL Assists: 1- Robinson 56; 2- Dolyny 40; 3- Plante (32); 5- Watt (27). In PPG: 4- Robinson 9; Watt 9. In PPA: 2- Robinson (21); 3- Plante (20). In SOG: 2- Robin-son (197); 4- Watt (180). In GWG: 1- Robinson (8); 5- Watt (4). In SHG: 1- (tied) Robinson (5). The Fury have the top 9 plus players in the UHL; 1- Dave Van Drunen +44; 2- Robinson +40; 3- Plante +37; 4- Dolyny +29; 5- Evan Kotsopoulos +26; 6- Watt +20; Dave Noel-Bernier +20; Justin Coutu +20; 9- Elias Godoy +16. In UHL Rookie Scoring: 3- Godoy 24(11-25-36); 4- Kotsopoulos 43(13-20-33). In Rookie PIM: 1- Kotsopoulos (122); 4- Chase Trull (88). In Rookie Majors: 2- (tied) Kelly Thomson (9). On the defense, Plante leads the league in points (44) and assists (32) while his 12-goals rank circuit 2nd. In Defense GWG: 1- Jon Insana (3); Coutu (3). In Defense SHG: 1- Plante (2). In the UHL goaltending department, Clayton Pool continues to dominate at #1 in the circuit with a 2.16 GAA, .929 SPCT and league-best 27-wins. Pool's 3-shutouts tie him for the league-leadership.

ADAM ATOM: The Fury's rock-ribbed, rugged, ruffian right wing Adam Smyth has emerged as one of the true unsung, unheralded heroes among the many of such ilk adorning the Fury roster. The past weekend, the NHL Atlanta Thrashers chattel struck for a key, clutch goal in each of his team's performances. In his team's 2-1 OTSO success Friday night over Rockford, "Smytty" delivered the game-clinching goal in the OTSO to solidify the Fury's triumph. It was Smyth's third goal on four OTSO attempts; 3 for 4 for .750 marksmanship. Then on Saturday night, he connected on the Fury's sole goal in their 4-1 setback. In his last 3-games, he is 3(4-1-5) with 15-SOG and +3 rating. Smyth is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE POOL PAPERS: The UHL's top-rated goalkeeper Clayton Pool has made up his mind that this will be his best career year here in the land of the Fury. Seeing action in both of his club's games the past weekend, the former U. of Alberta standout posted a 2(1-1-0) record with a thrifty 2.00 GAA and superb .934 SPCT as he rebuked 57 of 61 shots during regulation time. In the Fury's dramatic 2-1 OTSO triumph Friday night over Rockford, he not only turned aside 38 of 39-shots through three periods but also rebuffed all 4-IceHogs shots in the extra session to claim his 4th consecu-tive OTSO win of the season; 4(4-0-0). It was the third straight OTSO in which he did not surrender a single goal, having rejected 15-consecutive shots (15/15) in that span. Pool has carded the second most OTSO/wins in the league (4) and ranks a lofty #2 in SHOPCT at 18/19 for .947. At a league-best 17(16-1-0) on the road and with his league-high 27-wins being 5-more than the rest of the league, Pool, once again, is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

10 FOR 10 TOUGH: Defenseman Tom Galvin has returned to the Fury and helped fortify and stabilize the league's premiere blue line brigade. Until recently under the employ of AHL Grand Rapids, the former Notre Dame standout has played his first 10-games on the Fury defense and asserted his talents and abilities with great immediacy. To elucidate, illuminate and otherwise enumerate, the Fury's 1st round draft pick of 2004 has garnered 4-points on 1-goal, 3-assists with a healthy +10 rating in just 10-games.

WRONG POSITION MAGICIAN: The Fury's three-time All-Star defenseman Dave Van Drunen now has a new calling card. The league's premiere, premium, positive, plus player at +44, suddenly found himself operating in the UHL's annual All-Star Classic the past Wednesday night in Fort Wayne as a smooth-skating, fluid and flamboyant goal-scoring lean, mean machine centerman. Having yet to connect on his first goal thus far this season, the Fury's and the East All-Stars #27 looked more like the Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby as he cannonaded 2-goals to spearhead his team to an 11-6 verdict over the West All-Stars.

SHOOTOUT CLOUT: When they overtook visiting Rockford Friday night, 2-1 in the OTSO, the first place Fury team earned their 5th OTSO triumph in 6-such decisions at this stage of the season. In the process, Muskegon elevated its record to an impressive 6(5-1-0) in the extra session with the 5-successes already eclipsing last year's output of 4. Only Elmira has been superior in this category with a 7(6-1-0) mark. The Fury have been undefeated on home ice in extra time this season at 4(4-0-0).

LITANY LISTINGS: The Fury's on-ice excellence this season has been quite remarkable; especially when one considers the inordinate number of injuries and assorted ailments and maladies that have stalked this team all season long. At the 44-games' mark, they have lost 181-manpower games due to injuries (151); call-ups (26) and under the heading of miscellaneous (4). The present list of shelved merchandise includes Scott Barnes, Ryan Barnes, Elias Godoy, Justin Coutu, Dave Noel-Bernier and Mike Watt with Jon Insana in AHL Grand Rapids.

SPECIAL TEAMS TUNE-UP: The Fury power play, which has been ranked #1 in the UHL for the last three years consecutively has fallen to 5th in the league this year. Operating at 15.7% proficiency rating on 45-287, the extra man band has been, paradoxically speaking, dangerous yet dormant. They are 0 for the last 17; 1 for the last 32; 3.1% and 3 for the last 49; 6.1%. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing ensemble cast is ranked #4 in the league at 86.7% efficiency with the opponents being 44-331. The Fury have been shorthanded the most times of any team in the league. However, Muskegon is 2nd in the UHL in SHG with 12 while surrendering the 4th fewest SHGA at 8.

MILESTONES FOR MAESTROS: Todd Robinson (397) is 3-games shy of becoming only the 5th player in Fury history to play 400-games. Robinson (412) is just 8-assists away from tying Robin Bouchard (420) for #1 all-time on the Fury career assists' list. Rustyn Dolyny (136) needs 5-more goals to tie Brant Blackned (141) for #3 all-time in Fury goal-scoring. Philippe Plante (496) is 4-games from pro career 500. Mike Watt (292) is 8-points away from pro career 300 and Dave Van Drunen (192) is 8-points from pro career 200. "Fic" is scheduled to broadcast is 3,000th consecutive pro hockey game this coming Sunday at home against Elmira.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury are the best second period team in the UHL, outscoring the opposition, 69-28 overall and 32-10 at home. In their recently completed 4-game home stand, the Fury outscored the visitors in the second period, 10-0. The Fury are flourishing on Fridays with a mark of 15(14-1-0) overall and 7(7-0-0) at home. Against their fellow Michigan rivals; (Kalamazoo, Flint, Port Huron), the Fury record stands at 20(15-4-1) overall; at home: 11(7-4-0); undefeated on the road; 9(8-0-1). Todd Robinson has scored the ultimate GWG in each of the Fury's last 3-victories. Muskegon already lists 8-players with at least 10-goals this season; Robinson (28); Watt (25); Dolyny (17); Noel-Bernier (15); Kotsopoulos (13); Plante (12); Godoy (11); Smyth (10).

RECAP WRAP: Due to the All-Star break, the Fury faced an abbreviated slate comprised of two home games in as many nights the past weekend. Friday night, in the spine-tingling, thrilling theater of the OTSO, the Fury prevailed over Rockford, 2-1. Rustyn Dolyny (FG) scored the Fury's lone goal in regulation before Todd Robinson (GWG) and Adam Smyth caged singles in the extra session with Clayton Pool brushing aside 38 of 39 shots in regulation before flustering the 'Hogs on all 4 shots in extra time. Saturday night, the Fury fell prey to Flint, 4-1 with Smyth scoring the vanquished Fury's sole goal for the night. Pool made 19-saves in the contest.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH THE FURY AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

The two newly created inter-divisional foes will collide for the fifth time this season and the third and final time in Bloomington where the Fury have spirited away victories by results of 7-1 on October 20th and 4-0 in their last sojourn back on December 15th. For the season, the Fury lead the series, 4(4-0-0), outscoring the Prairie Thunder, 21-6. After this one, one more meeting will still remain with that one set for March 25th in Muskegon..

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

For the first time this season, the Western Division leading Komets come to Muskegon as the only team not to appear here at this hour of the year. Through the initial two clashes in the Indiana city, the two teams have divided one-goal decisions with the Fury extracting a 2-1 triumph back on November 24th before capitulating to the K's in the last clash on January 12th, 3-2. In the latter affair, after surmounting an early 2-0 deficit to equalize matters at 2-2, the Fury surrendered a late third period goal to the victors with only 1:13 remaining in regulation time.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28TH ELMIRA AT THE FURY 2:00 PM

The Fury will stage their third of six Sunday matinee games this season when the Jackals come calling for this one. Muskegon has gained the advantage in the season series to this point at 4(3-1-0). They are 3(2-1-0) in New York where the league-leaders prevailed in the last actual bout between the two teams, back on January 7th, 7-4. In Elmira's lone previous trip to Walker Arena, the Fury trimmed them, 3-2 on December 1st.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 21, 2007


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