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Fury stay on top of Central Division

November 29, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Having completed the 12-games' schedule for the month of November with a record right on the .500 barrier at 12(6-6-0), the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, will begin to embark on their most ambitious schedule of the 2004-05 campaign as they face the daunting task of 16-games for December with 9 of those coming abroad. Under the auspices of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury have managed to maintain a minuscule one-point advantage atop the Michigan-only Central Division through the first 18-games of the season. Muskegon has compiled a composite record of 18(11-6-1) totaling 23-points and that one point lead over second place Flint 19(10-7-2)22 with one game in hand on the Generals who did drop a pair of weekend encounters in Connecticut against the Eastern Division front-running expansionists, the Danbury Trashers 20(13-6-1)27. Concerning the Central Division, the Fury have gained a 5-points' advantage over third-place Kalamazoo 16(9-7-0)18 with the Wings, currently on a 6-game road excursion, having two games in hand on the men of "Fury-dom." The Muskegonites have really derived much prosperity from intra-divisional competition thus far this season, posting a superlative 8(7-1-0) mark against all Central Division comers. With regard to the overall UHL 14-teams' standings, the Fury are currently ranked tied for 4th in the league with second-place Western Division delegate Fort Wayne 19(11-7-1)23 with one game in hand on the two-time crowned Tarry Cup regular season champions. Muskegon trails overall league-leading and Western Division pace-setting Rockford 19(13-3-3)29 by 6-points with one game in hand on the torrid IceHogs. This week, the Fury will open the final month of this calendar year with an expedition to the state of Missouri where they will be guested by the fledgling Kansas City Outlaws on Wednesday night before they make tracks for the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles for a Friday night rendezvous with the Missouri River Otters. The Fury's lone home game for the week is on the docket for Saturday night when the Fort Wayne Komets make another call.

RECORD CALL OVERALL: The past holiday week, the Fury posted a record of 3(1-2-0), earning one victory on Thanksgiving night over Port Huron before bowing both Saturday and Sunday to Adirondack and Fort Wayne respectively. In the process, the Fury saw their record decline to 8(2-6-0) through their past 8-decisions following their club record best start ever 10-game unbeaten streak at 10(9-0-1). Until this present stagnant state of affairs, the Fury had assembled an utterly brilliant 27-games' undefeated streak at 27(26-0-1). For the season overall, they are 18(11-6-1)23, having dropped the last 2-starts. Their longest win skeins of this season have been 5-in a row and 4-in succession while the longest losing spell has been 3-consecutively. After 18-games last season, the Fury record stood at 18(12-6-0)24. At the present time, the Fury are 1-win and 1-point behind last year's clip.

HOME HERALDING: The past week, Muskegon divided a pair of home appearances at Walker Arena, prevailing on Thanksgiving night over Port Huron, 6-2, before trembling Saturday night to visiting Adirondack, 3-2. For the season, the Fury own the league's 4th best record at home at 11(8-2-1)17. They are 4(2-2-0) in the last quartet on the home range. They have outscored the adversary at home, by a wide margin of 48-27. Incorporating last season, Muskegon has a stellar home mark of 20(17-2-1) in the last 20-decisions, out-scoring the opponent by virtually a 2 to 1 margin at 85-43. Longest home victory streak thus far this season has been 4-in a row, along with a 7-game unsullied skein at 7(6-0-1).

TRAVEL TRAVAIL: After launching the current campaign with an impressive 3-game win streak on the road and an 11-game winning streak in enemy territory overall, the latter dating back to last season and Colonial Cup III, the men of the Fury flag have languished lately through an uncharacteristic 4-game road losing skid. In that span, their normally potent offense has been limited to the tune of an anemic 4-GF, being outscored, 14-4. Muskegon's last foreign ice success was extracted from Kalamazoo back on November 10th when they waylaid the Wings, 3-1. Their current 4-game losing streak exceeds last season's road low point as the Fury's longest losing spell abroad was just 2-in succession. For the season, the Fury road log reads; 7(3-4-0). They have registered only 17-GF in 7 away games for a GFA of only 2.43.

DECISION BY DIVISION: The Fury are really excelling within their own Central Division where they have attained an outstanding mark of 8(7-1-0)33-18. However, it has been outside their own divisional boundaries where the "Furious Ones" have lacked consistency and continuity. After launching the season with an undefeated mark of 5(4-0-1) against Western Division competition, the Fury have faltered, dropping 4-straight games to balance their record at 9(4-4-1). The breakdown: Central Division: Kalamazoo 2(2-0-0)7-4; road: 2(2-0-0)7-4; Motor City 2(2-0-0)11-4; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; Flint 3(2-1-0)9-8; home: 1(1-0-0)2-1; road: 2(1-1-0)7-7; Port Huron 1(1-0-0)6-2; home: 1(1-0-0)6-2. Western Division breakdown: Kansas City 2(2-0-0)9-3; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; Quad City 3(2-1-0)10-4; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; road: 1(0-1-0)0-2; Rockford 1(0-1-0)1-3; road: 1(0-1-0)1-3; Fort Wayne 3(0-2-1)10-15; home: 2(0-1-1)8-12; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are 1(0-1-0) with the setback incurred against Adirondack.

FRONT END / BACK END: After the first 18-games of the season, the Fury rank #2 in the UHL in goal-scoring firepower, having blazed 65-GF for a GFA of 3.61. Only league-leading Rockford has been more productive. Dur-ing the last 8-games in which they have posted a record of 8(2-6-0), the Fury have mustered only 21-GF for a GFA of 2.63. At home, though, Muskegon has amassed a high-voltage 48-GF in 11-outings for a GFA of a healthy 4.36. Defensively speaking, the "Titletown Team" ranks 6th, having yielded only 47-GA in 18-games for a GAA of a thrifty and nifty 2.61. At home, they have allotted 27-GA for a GAA of stingy and stellar 2.46. In the shots on goal category, the Fury rank circuit 7th, averaging virtually 30-shots on goal per game. Coach Nelson's contingent ranks a lofty second in the league in fewest shots on goal allowed at 26.2 SOGA per game.

TOP CROP CREW: UHL defending scoring kingpin Robin Bouchard 18(13-15-28) ranks #2 in the league in point-scoring with Brant Blackned 18(9-13-22) tied for 10th and Scott Hollis 18(8-13-21)tied for 17th among the league's top 20 scoring elite. Bouchard (7) is 2nd in the league in PPG; Blackned (6) is tied for 3rd most PPG. Bouchard's 20-PP/Points and 13-PP/Assists both lead the UHL with Blackned's 16-PP/Points and 10-PP/Assists ranking him 3rd and 4th respectively in those two departments. In addition, Blackned's 3-GWG tie him for 2nd most in the loop. Bouchard's 13-total goals rank as 4th most in the league. Jason Lawmaster (26) leads the UHL in minor penalties and his 127-total PIM rank as runner-up most in the UHL. In league rookie scoring, Billy Collins 18(5-6-11) ranks 9th in scoring. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool ranks runner-up in the league with a miserly, microscopic GAA of 1.87 while Brent Belecki is ranked 12th at 2.72.

"BOUCH" ALMIGHTY: Three-time All-Star Robin Bouchard seems to be achieving career milestones on a weekly basis with the past week certainly being no exception. In 3-games for the week, the "Gun-Sling King" was 3(3-1-4) with 2-PPG and 1-FG with his 3-goals stoked in a pinpoint, economy-like fashion 6-SOG. Saturday night, "Rockin' Robin" in the treetops made more history. Not only did he account for both of his team's goals in a 3-2 setback absorbed against Adirondack, but also, his second goal of the night represented his 400th UHL career goal. In the process, he became only the third player in league history to attain the prestigious 400-goal plateau. That same night, Bouchard was acclaimed the game's #1 Star. It was also rather ironic that Bouchard would notch #400 against Adirondack, especially considering that Muskegon's all-time premiere career cannoneer set the all-time pro hockey record last season when he scored a goal in a 17th consecutive game, also against Adirondack. Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

TOTALIAN NELSONIAN: Slick, sleek center Jeff Nelson turned-in a consistently strong and productive month of November. Playing all 12-games, the 13-year consummate pro delivered 13-points on 2-goals, 11-assists with 31-SOG and +1 rating. Included in his monthly output were 4-multiple point games as well as 1-GWG and 1-FG/SHG. His 11-assists paced the club as the on-ice magician registered points in 9 of his team's dozen games. He begins the new week (896) just 4-games away from pro career 900. Nelson is the Fury's nomination for Sher- wood / UHL Player of the Month.

GOAL GUARDIAN GRANDEUR: Seven-year pro Brent Belecki has also been a paragon of consistency and continuity in the Muskegon cage. The past month, he started 9 of his team's 12-games, posting a 9(4-5-0) record with a solid 2.70 GAA and superb .905 SPCT. In November, he also achieved a personal 3-game in streak in which he grudgingly surrendered an infinitesimal 3-GA for a GAA of 1.00. In the most recent week, he was 2 (1-1-0) with a 2.52 GAA and .907 SPCT. Despite his team's 3-2 setback Saturday night against Adirondack, Belecki was saluted as the game's #3 Star. Belecki is the Fury's nomination for both Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.

THE SLANT ON BRANT: Ten-year veteran left wing Brant Blackned is also in the business of reaching a multi-tude of milestones before this current campaign concludes. The past week, the "Big Bear Barrage" left the garage to the tune of 3(2-2-4) with 9-SOG, 1-PPG and 1-even strength strike stoked. The latter thrust was delivered on the occasion of his 600th pro career game Sunday in Fort Wayne. Moreover, with that latest connection, Blackned (116) has climbed to within one goal of Andrew Luciuk (117) for third place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. For the month of November, he was the Fury's second leading point-meister with 12(6-8-14), authoring a team-tying high 4-PPG and a team-best 2-GWG.

"VANDY" DANDY ‘D': Veteran defenseman Dave Van Drunen has been the quintessential "Rock of Gibralter" on the Fury defense. Logging countless minutes of valuable ice-time, the former AHL and IHL standout completed and competed in the month of November accordingly; 12(0-2-2) with a +1 rating and 21-SOG. For the season, he continues as Muskegon's premiere, premium, positive, plus player at +9.

"DADDIO" DOLYNY: The Fury team captain Rustyn Dolyny returned to the club on Thanksgiving night follow-ing a 2-games' absence due to the birth of daughter Ava. Upon her arrival and his return, the Fury's condition was also vastly-upgraded and improved. In fact, in his first game back, "Rusto Bravissimo" engineered 3-points on 1-goal and 2-assists with 3-SOG, a +2 rating and the game's #1 Star.

BINGING WITH B. J.: The Fury's versatile forward, center/left wing B. J. Gaustad was at the top of his game the past weekend. In the Thanksgiving night dismissal of Port Huron, he essayed 1-goal, 2-assists, 3-points with 1-PPG and a +2 rating. He also added a helper in Saturday night's setback inflicted by Adirondack. For the week, he was 3(1-3-4) with a +2 rating.

SCORE WITH ONE MORE: The Fury's high-tech, high-octane power play continues to be the best in the UHL for a second year in succession. At this juncture of this season, they are a snappy and snazzy 28-97 for a crisp percentile of a prosperous 28.9; over 7% superior to all other clubs. Their 28-PPG are also foremost in the loop. Muskegon is 4 for the last 13 for a proficiency rating of 30.8%. Meanwhile the penalty-killing cast of characters continues to close down the adversaries as the Fury rank a very close runner-up to Danbury (90.0%). Muskegon is operating at an efficiency level of 88.9% on 88-99. The Fury have connected on 3-SHG while surrendering 2 of same.

MILESTONES MAVENS: Brant Blackned (226) is just 2-games away from tying Paul Kelly (228) for 10th place on the Fury's all-time games played list. With 15-PIM Sunday in Fort Wayne, Jason Lawmaster has eclipsed 1300-PIM in his 6-year pro career. Defenseman Kevin Haupt (289) is 11-games away from pro career 300. Jordon Flodell (143) is 7-games hence from 150.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Defenseman Jon Insana's first-ever goal for the Fury in the Thanksgiving night victory over Port Huron was on the power play and the GWG. With that latest victory at home against Port Huron, the Fury have enhanced their already-amazing lifetime home record over their division rivals to 36(28-1-7). On home ice this season, the Fury have outscored the visitors in the first and second periods combined, 33-15; 13-6 in the first period and 20-9 in the second stanza. Muskegon is undefeated this season when they score 4 or more goals in a game at 10(9-0-1). Jordon Flodell was the Fury's best plus player for November at +2. The Fury scored 17-PPG in November and surrendered only 5-PPGA for the month.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: The Fury posted a 3(1-2-0) mark for the week, out-goaling the opposition, 10-9. On Thanksgiving night, they dispatched Port Huron, 6-2. Rustyn Dolyny (1-2-3), B. J. Gaustad (1-2-3)PPG, Jeff Nelson (1-1-2)FG/SHG/UG, Jon Insana (PPG/GWG), Brant Blackned and Jason Lawmaster (SHG) all made connection. Dave Van Drunen had 3-assists and a +3 rating. Brent Belecki brushed aside 25-shots. Saturday night, also at home, the Fury were chilled by Adirondack, 3-2. Robin Bouchard fired both Fury goals including a PPG. Belecki made 24-saves in the unfounded crusade. Sunday in Fort Wayne, the Komets struck with 2-unanswered third period goals and subdued Muskegon 4-2. Bouchard (FG/PPG) and Blackned (1-1-2)GTG struck for the Fury with Nelson dishing a pair of assists. Clayton Pool, with 28-saves, suffered his first-ever loss as a pro.

THE FURY GAME DATES FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST THE FURY AT KANSAS CITY 8:00 PM

This is the third of seven sessions to be staged against two newly-created foes and the first of four to be hosted by the fledgling Outlaws. The Fury have claimed a 2-0 lead in the series on the impetus of two straight triumphs in Muskegon by results of 5-2 on October 23rd and 4-1, November 12th. Kansas City begins the week with a 10(1-8-1) mark in its last 10-starts.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD THE FURY AT MISSOURI 8:00 PM

The initial contest of seven to be waged and the first of four as well in St. Charles. Last season, the Fury captured the season series 11(8-2-1). They were 6(4-2-0) in "Mizzou." The River Otters are a richly-improved and bolstered aggregation nation from last year when they gained the dubious distinction of the league's worst record. This season, they are in third place in the Western Division standings and have already posted a league-high 6-shutouts as the #2 defensive team in the league.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The fourth of six clashes set for this season against the last two teams to capture the UHL's most coveted crowned jewel, the Colonial Cup. Thus far this season, the Komets are ruling as the Fury are winless in the first three tests at 3(0-2-1) overall and 2(0-1-1) at home. Dating back to last season, in regular season play, Muskegon is actually win-less in the last 6-dates against the K's at 6(0-4-2). The Fury are also winless in their last 4 at home at 4(0-2-2).

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