Fury tops Central Division again
December 20, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES: Undergoing their most exhausting schedule thus far this season in this last month of the current calendar year, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have risen to the occasion, playing with exemplary Fury fortitude, fabric, fiber and character. Under the direction of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men wearing the Fury coat of arms have been extraordinary during this time of the marathon 80-games' schedule as they are presently confronting the daunting assignment of six consecutive clashes against their own Michigan-only Central Division rivals. Halfway through this tall order, the "Knights of Nelson" have responded inspirationally with three consecutive victories; two against nearby opponent Kalamazoo and one earned against a strong Port Huron squadron. With that perfect 3(3-0-0) record, and actually unblemished in their last 4-starts at 4(3-0-1), Muskegon's main men of pro hockey stature have catapulted back to the summit of first-place in their aforementioned divisional alignment. Through the first 28-games of the schedule, the Fury overall mark has advanced to 28(16-8-4) totaling 36-points and a 2-points' advantage over second-place Flint 28(15-9-4)34-points. The Generals are 15(9-4-2) in their last 15-decisions while riding the crest of an impressive 6-game win streak at home. Also, the Fury have strengthened and lengthened their leadership over third-place Kalamazoo 28(13-12-3)29 to 7-points with the Wings 10(4-4-2) in their last 10-outings. Resurgent fourth-place Port Huron 30(12-16-2)26 has ascended to within 10-points of the "Muskegonites" as the Beacons are 15(10-4-1) in their 15-games and 9(8-1-0) in their last 9-home dates. On this week of Christmas, the Fury face the final three games in this Central "6-Pack" slate. The holiday week commences with a crucial two-games' home-and-home series against Flint with the "Fury-men" traveling to the home of the Generals Wednesday before an encore presentation Thursday night back home in Muskegon. The latter contest will be the last act for both clubs before the brief Christmas recess. The day after Christmas, on Sunday, the Fury have a date with Port Huron in their initial escapade to McMorran Place Arena in this 2004-05 title-defense season.
THE RECORD UNCHECKERED: After the first 28-games of the campaign, the "Furious Ones" have compiled an overall record of 28(16-8-4) for 36-points. Currently, the Fury are riding the rising rapids of a 3-game win streak in which they have out-scored their opposition, 11-4. Moreover, they are unsullied in their last 4-games at 4(3-0-1)12-6. In the last 10-games, the "Fury by Nelson" are 10(5-2-3). The longest win streak of the season has been 5-in succession. There has also been a 4-game win skein as well as the franchise best start ever this year of 10-consecutive unbeaten games; 10(9-0-1). The longest hiatus between triumphs has been 3-games in a row. Last season, in the year of Colonial Cup III, after 28-games, the Fury had fashioned a record of 28(18-9-1)37. They are currently 2-wins and 1-point behind last year's clip but have one less loss than a year ago.
OWN HOME ZONE: With consecutive home triumphs in less than 24-hours the past weekend, the Fury have expanded their latest win streak at home to 3-consecutively, out-scoring the invading parties, 13-6. In fact, all 3 home successes have been garnered within their own Central Division; 2 against Kalamazoo and the other from Port Huron. Muskegon is actually undefeated in its last 4-home performances; 4(3-0-1)13-7. For the season, the Fury have attained the league's second best home mark at 15(11-2-2). Dating back to late last season, they are a dynamic 24(20-2-2) in their last 24-home endeavors, out-scoring the visitors, 98-50. The longest win streak at home thus far this season has been 4-in a row, along with a 7-games' unbeaten streak; 7(6-0-1). "The Fury Fighters" are an impeccable 7(7-0-0) at home within their own Central Division.
EXPEDITION POSITION: The team from "Titletown" has begun to show signs of a better instead of bitter brew abroad. After enduring a rather uncharacteristic 4-games' losing spell in hostile territory, the men of "Fury-dom" have assembled an improved mark of 6(2-2-2) in their last half-dozen dates, including the earning of 3 of an available 4-points in their last two missions into the UHL's more exotic burgs; 2(1-0-1). For the campaign, the Fury road record reads 13(5-6-2) with three of those victory verdicts extracted from Kalamazoo; 3(3-0-0). The Fury are 5(4-1-0) away from home bay against Central Division competition. Longest road win skein of the year has been 3-in a row, achieved through the initial 3-foreign ice affairs of the season; longest alien ice hiatus from victory has been 4-consecutively.
DIVISION FISSION: The Muskegon squad has been reaping a rampant harvest within its own Central Division thus far this season. Thus far, they have composed a brilliant record of 12(11-1-0), out-scoring their fellow divisional delegates, 49-24. They are a perfect 7(7-0-0) at home and 5(4-1-0) abroad. However, outside the divisional boundaries, they have been somewhat inconsistent. After launching the campaign with an unbeaten log of 5(4-0-1), Muskegon has posted a mark of 10(1-5-4) in their most recent 10-tests. The breakdown: Central Division: Kalamazoo 5(5-0-0)19-8; home: 2(2-0-0)9-4; road: 3(3-0-0)10-4; Motor City 2(2-0-0)11-4; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; Port Huron 2(2-0-0)10-4; home: 2(2-0-0)10-4; Flint 3(2-1-0)9-8; home: 1(1-0-0)2-1; road: 2(1-1-0)7-7. Western Division breakdown: Kansas City 4(3-0-1)17-8; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 2(1-0-1)8-5; Quad City 3(2-1-0)10-4; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; road: 1(0-1-0)0-2; Missouri 2(0-1-1)3-5; road: 2(0-1-1)3-5; Fort Wayne 4(0-2-2)10-17; home: 3(0-1-2)8-13; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4; Rockford 2(0-2-0)2-6; road: 2(0-2-0)2-6. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are 1(0-1-0) with the setback sustained at home against Adirondack.
THE FENCE OF DEFENSE: Defensively, the Fury have climbed to a tie for second best in the UHL with only 67-GA in 28-games for a GAA of a thrifty and nifty 2.39. Muskegon is tied with Flint, with Missouri in the lead at 2.30. In their last 10-games, the Fury have yielded only 20-GA for a GAA of 2.00. During their current 3-game win streak, they have grudgingly surrendered a microscopic 4-GA for a GAA of 1.33. Unbeaten in their last 4-starts; 4(3-0-1) the GA is 6 for a GAA of 1.50. Muskegon has also allotted the fewest GA in the key first period in the loop at just 18-GA in 28-games. The Nelson contingent ranks third in the UHL for fewest SOGA and a per game yield of 26.7.
OF ARTISANS AND ACES: UHL defending scoring titlist Robin Bouchard 28(14-17-31) is ranked 8th in the league-wide scoring derby with Jeff Nelson 28(9-21-30) tied for 10th and Scott Hollis 28(11-18-29) tied for 12th on the league elite street. Bouchard's 8-PPG tie him for 2nd most in the league with Brant Blackned's 7-PPG tying him for 4th most. Nelson and Blackned are both tied for 3rd in the loop in GWG with 3 while Bouchard continues to lead the UHL in PP/Points with 22; Blackned is 3rd with 19. Bouchard is listed runner-up for PP/Assists with 14 with Blackned, again right behind, ranked 4th with 12. Rustyn Dolyny (2) is tied for circuit 2nd with 2-SHG. Jason Lawmaster's 31-minor penalties lead the league and his 142-PIM are 6th most league-wide. In UHL rookie scoring, Billy Collins 28(10-8-18) ranks 8th with his 5-PPG tying him for 2nd most and his 10-total goals ranking him tied for 4th most among this year's freshmen class. Collins also ranks 4th in goal-scoring shooting percentage at 10/53, 19.2%. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool continues to lead the league with a GAA of a stellar and stingy 1.73 and a SPCT of .937. Brent Belecki is ranked 9th with a GAA of 2.47.
WAYNE STATE STAR-STUDDED: The Fury's standout first-year pro Billy Collins has made a major mark in Muskegon. The former Wayne State star stepped into the spotlight the past weekend with his uncanny knack on the goal-scoring attack. Saturday night, he singularly sparked and spurred his team's 4-goal comeback counterattack crescendo by firing a pair of second stanza strikes that eradicated a 2-0 shortfall before assisting on the tie-breaking and ultimate GWG in the final frame for a Fury 4-2 verdict over Port Huron. For his prolific performance, he was heralded the game's #1 Star. For the two-games' home weekend series, he was 2(2-2-4) with 1-PPG, 1-GTG, 5-SOG, 14-PIM and a handsome +3 rating. For the season, his 4-multiple goal games tie him for the club leadership with Robin Bouchard. Collins is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.
CLAYTON CLIMBING: First-year net-minder Clayton Pool is demonstrating the reason he re-wrote the hockey history books at perennial powerhouse U. of Alberta. The past weekend, he sustained his sartorial sorcery over nearby division rival Kalamazoo, earning two triumphs in two starts, including a 31-saves shutout masterpiece Friday night in "K-Town" and a 3-0 Fury victory. He followed-up his #1 Star honors from Friday on Sunday when he backstopped the hometown team to a 4-2 encore success over the same K-Wings team and the game's #3 Star. For the week, he was a perfect 2(2-0-0) with a "Scrooge"-like 1.00 GAA and .966 SPCT. For the season, he is 5(5-0-0) against Kalamazoo with a GAA of 1.60 and a SPCT of .948. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.
THE COLIN CLUTCH TOUCH: The defending champions most recent acquisition, center/left wing Colin Embley had the touch-in-the-clutch this past weekend, making his first two goals ever for the Fury ones of major import, impact and magnitude. Saturday night, his first Fury goal was the tie-breaking and ultimate GWG, as he struck it in the third period to shatter a 2-2 deadlock and vault the Fury into victory lane, 4-2. Then, less than 24-hours later, he engineered the key, crucial game's FG to stake his team to an early 1-0 lead and a lead they did not renounce in a 4-2 verdict over Kalamazoo. For the 2-games, Embley was 2(2-0-2) with a superb +3 rating.
THE SMOOTH MOVE MAN: The man with the smooth moves, slick center Jeff Nelson is finding the range at the right time of the season. The 13-year veteran climaxed an adept and adroit week of stellar all-around play with 3-PP/Points on (1-2-3) in the Sunday matinee featuring another Fury win and the game's #1 Star. For the week, he was 4(1-3-4) with 16-SOG. In his last 11-games, he is 11(3-10-13). His +10 rating for the season is the best among all Fury forwards.
SCOTT'S SKILLS KILLS: Veteran right wing Scott Hollis is back on track with his humming howitzer dead-eye act. The past week, he was 4(2-2-4) with 17-SOG. He culminated the week with a lot of class and a bit of brass as he stoked a pair of PP-strikes in the final period Sunday, including the GWG and an ENG to seal the deal in the triumph over Kalamazoo. "Hot-Shot-Scott" has been a snappy and snazzy sniper against the Wings this season, sizzling 6 of his 11-goals in the Fury's 5-meetings against their West Michigan foes; 5(6-3-9).
"FLO" FLOURISHING: Rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed defenseman Jordon Flodell has been spearheading the Fury "Crease Police" in recent action. In fact, the past weekend, he made major contributions inside the opposition's blue line; especially Saturday night when he crafted 2-playmaking assists, a +3 rating and the game's #2 Star in the comeback success gained over Port Huron. For the season, Flodell is 28 (0-6-6) with 55-PIM. His +11 rating equals fellow defenseman Dave Van Drunen for the team leadership.
TYLER'S TOP TUNE: Unsung, unheralded yet always effective defenseman Tyler Palmer has always been known for his strong instincts when it comes to puck prevention attention. However, the past weekend, Tyler flashed some unexpected but much important offensive stylings when he rocketed his first goal and his first point of the season in the Fury's 3-0 triumph at Kalamazoo. Transcending his offensive might, Palmer was an excellent +2 for the week.
SPECIAL TEAMS TEAR: When it comes to the specialty teams, the Fury continue to reign supreme in the UHL. Their power plant power play has been mammoth as it is ranked #1 in the league with a proficiency rating of 27.0% on 40-149. The 40-PPG are also foremost in the loop. They are 5 for the last 15; 33.3%. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury are also rated #1 in the league with an efficiency rating of a brilliant 89.1% on 139-156, allowing only 17-PPGA all season long. At this hour of the season, they are 20 for the last 21 for 95.2%. Muskegon has registered 4-SHG and allotted 2 of the same.
THE MUSKEGON MILESTONES MANOR: Robin Bouchard (524) has climbed into second place on the Fury's all-time games played list, passing Mark Vilneff (522). Brant Blackned's PPG last Wednesday night in Kansas City was 118th goal as a member of the Fury, vaulting him into third-place all-time for the Fury. Scott Hollis 718(290-297-587) is 10-goals from career 300, 3-assists from 300 and 13-points from 600 and (1297) 3-PIM from 1300. Defenseman Kevin Haupt recorded pro assist #100 last Wednesday night in Kansas City.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury are undefeated against below .500 teams this season at 8(7-0-1). They are 20(9-8-3) against the rest of the UHL. Muskegon is also undefeated entering the third period with the lead; 16(15-0-1). When the Fury score 4 or more, again, they are undefeated at 14(13-0-1). The Fury have yielded 3-GA or less in 24 of their first 28-games this season. When the Fury lead after the first period, their record is 11(10-1-0). Muskegon has out-scored the visitors at home, 15-8 in the first period and 25-10 in the second stanza for a combined output of 40-18. Muskegon has the dubious distinction of the worst OTSO record in the UHL at 5(1-4-0). With a perfect 5(5-0-0) mark against Kalamazoo this season, with 4-more meetings still remaining, the Fury have already clinched the season series from the Wings for a 5th straight year, mirroring Kalamazoo's existence in the UHL.
POST WEEK WRAP-UP: The coronated kingpins compiled a 4(3-0-1) record for the week, collecting 7 of a maximum 8-points. Wednesday night in Kansas City, despite out-shooting the Outlaws, 38-28 and 24-11 alone in the opening period, the Fury were forced to settle for a regulation tie in a 2-1 OTSO affair. Brant Blackned (GTG/PPG) was Muskegon's lone marksman with the Fury being out-scored in extra time, 3-2. Blackned and Robin Bouchard were the sharp-shooters. Friday night, the Fury capped the 4-games' road excursion with a 3-0 blanking of Kalamazoo. Clayton Pool earned the shutout with 31-saves while Jon Insana (FG/PPG/GWG), Tyler Palmer (IG) and B. J. Gaustad (PPG) generated the offense. Rustyn Dolyny dished 2-assists. Returning home Saturday night, the Fury surmounted a 2-0 early 2nd period deficit and overcame Port Huron, 4-2. Billy Collins (2-1-3)PPG/GTG, Colin Embley (TB/GWG) and B.J. Gaustad (1-1-2)ENG were the goal-getters with Jordon Flodell authoring a pair of helpers. Brent Belecki sparkled in goal with 29-saves, extinguishing the Beacons after the 10:18 mark of the opening period. In a Sunday matinee, the Fury climaxed the weekend with a flourish as they defused Kalamazoo, again, this time, 4-2. Scott Hollis connected on a pair of third period PPG with the first one the GWG and the latter an ENG. Jeff Nelson (1-2-3)PPG and Colin Embley (FG) also delivered with Jason Lawmaster assisting twice. Pool rebuffed 26-shots.
THE FURY GAME DATES FOR THIS WEEK:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND THE FURY AT FLINT 7:00 PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23RD FLINT AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
The fourth and fifth meetings of the season featuring the top two teams in the Central Division standings with the Fury leading the series thus far 3(2-1-0). The two teams have divided a pair of games in Flint with the Fury prevailing in an OTSO at home against the Generals. Flint is presently riding the rising tidal wave of a 6-game home ice winning streak as the East Michigan club returns home following a 3-games' Eastern road swing that netted 3-points through a 3(1-1-1) record.
SUNDAY, DECMBER 26TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM
The third clash of the campaign to complete the Fury's run of six straight games within their own division and their second in this span against the richly-improved Beacons. The Fury top the series so far 2(2-0-0) with both wins gained in Muskegon. Muskegon is making its first of three trips to McMorran Place Arena where Port Huron is a sparkling 9(8-1-0) in its last 9-appearances.
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