Fury unbeaten streak at 13

Published on March 7, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: For the fourth consecutive week, the defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, completed the week in an undefeated fashion. By posting a 2(1-0-1) mark for an abbreviated two games' weekend, Muskegon swelled its overall unsullied streak to a season's best 13-games; 13(10-0-3), registering 23 of a possible 26-points. Under the astute auspices of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury code of colors have strengthened and lengthened their leadership atop the Central Division standings to 5-points over second-place Kalamazoo with still having 3-games in hand on the Wings. For the season, with 62-games played and 18-more remaining, the Muskegon mark stands at 62(39-15-8) totaling 86-points. Meanwhile, Kalamazoo 65(38-22-5)81-points is in the midst of an extended 6-games' home stand in which they have compiled a 3(1-2-0) mark thus far while winning just one of their past 5-home starts overall; 5(1-3-1). Of the Fury's remaining 18-games, 8-more are to be played at home with the other 10-outings on the foreign ice docket. Following Kalamazoo's current home stand, 9 of the last 12-games will be on the road where the Wings have prospered, winning 4-consecutively and 11 of their last 13-assignments; 13(11-2-0). In the meantime, the tight, taut fraught overall UHL chase remains intact. In the overall 14-teams' standings, the men of the Fury have crept within 2-points of Eastern Division and league-leading Adirondack 63(40-15-8)88 with one game in hand on the Frostbite which have a gaudy mark of 19(14-3-2) in the last 19-games and are riding the crest of a 9-games' unblemished skein at home; 9(7-0-2). At this hour of the season, a mere 7-points distinguish the top 6-UHL clubs; 1-Adirondack 88; 2-Muskegon 86; 3-Fort Wayne 84; 4- Rockford 81, Kalamazoo 81, Danbury 81; 7-Missouri 76. There is present-ly a 4-team fierce-fight for the hallowed 8th and final playoff berth with Flint and Quad City sharing the distinction for the moment at 65-points, followed by Richmond 61 and Port Huron 60. This week, the reigning kingpins will embark on a 3-games' agenda, commencing Tuesday morning in Flint and an 11:00 am face-off against the division rivals, the Generals. This game was re-scheduled after being originally slated for February 16th. The team from the Lakeshore will wrap-up the week with a pair of home appearances against Eastern Division competition; Friday night, hosting Richmond, and on Saturday night, it will be Colonial Cup III revisited when the home team locks horns with the Elmira Jackals.

THE STANLEY CUP COMING: In a special announcement, the Fury, with the cooperation of the National Hockey League, will be bringing the world's greatest trophy in all of professional sports, the famed Stanley Cup to their home of Walker Arena later this month. The Stanley Cup will be here Saturday night, March 19th when the Fury clash with Adirondack in a 7:30 pm face-off. Perhaps, it is apropos that all of sports most prized jewel and possession be present when the Fury and the Frostbite, battle, perhaps, for the overall league-leadership in the UHL.

SWEETIN' THE UNBEATEN: Having played the past four weeks in an unbeaten fashion, the Fury have elevated their overall season record to a superlative 62(39-15-8) for 86-points. At this stage of the season, the Fury are riding the rapids of a sterling 13-games' undefeated streak; 13(10-0-3), outscoring the opposition in this unsullied stretch, 45-28. The last time "Todd's Team" sustained a setback was over one month ago, back on February 4th when they trembled on home ice to Fort Wayne, 2-1. Their current 13-games' unbeaten streak does represent their longest such stretch of the season. Twice earlier this season, the Fury assembled 10-games' undefeated streaks with both being 10(9-0-1). In the last 18-games, the Muskegon mark is 18(13-2-3); last 31(22-5-4); last 38(26-7-5). The Fury's longest win streaks of the season have been 9-in a row, (second longest in the UHL); two 5-game win skeins, one 4-game win streak and one 3-game win skein. The longest losing spell of the year has been 3-consecutively which has been incurred on two separate occasions. Muskegon's record in the first-half of the season was 40(25-10-5) for 55-points. Thus far their second-half ledger reads 22(14-5-3)31-points. Comparing the records from one year ago, the home team was 62(41-13-8)90-points. Presently, the Fury are 2-wins and 4-points behind last year's clip.

DOMAIN REIGN: On the impetus of their gallant, hard-earned 3-1 triumph Sunday afternoon against archenemy Quad City, the Fury have sprouted their home ice win streak to an impressive and imposing 8-games in a row; 8(8-0-0), outscoring the embattled foreign ice invaders, 31-14. Their 8-game victory string matches the longest of any team in the UHL thus far this season. For the season, Muskegon has achieved the league's premiere home mark at a glistening 32(25-4-3), outscoring the visitors, 121-67. Their scant 4-home setbacks are two less than the rest of the league. Moreover, in the last 11 at home; 11(10-1-0); last 21(17-2-2). When including the last 9-games of last season, the Fury home record is a brilliant 41(34-4-3) for a winning percentage of an extraordinary .866. Also, this season, the Fury have attained two 4-game win streaks as well as unblemished skeins of 9(7-0-2) and 7(6-0-1). Muskegon has been impeccable at home within its own Central Division as their 13(13-0-0) record would reflect and suggest.

ROAD REVELRY: Friday night in Kalamazoo, the Fury were buoyant and resilient as they overcame a 2-0 late second period deficit and earned one very precious point in the standings by virtue of the regulation tie and eventual 3-2 OTSO outcome. With that draw, the "Furious Ones" ran their unbeaten abroad streak to 5-games; 5(2-0-3), earning 7 of an available 10-points. Furthermore, the Fury have crafted a superb 15(9-3-3) mark in their last 15-excursions on the long, lonesome UHL highway. For the entire season, they have compiled a road record that is 3-games superior to the .500 barrier at 30(14-11-5). The longest road win streak has been 6-consecutively which is the second best in the UHL this year. There has also been one 3-game victory skein in hostile terrain. The longest losing spaces when trekking to the league's colonies have been 4-in a row and 3-in succession.

DIVISION DATA: The home town "Titletown" team has been reaping a bountiful harvest against all three divisions in recent vintage. For example, against their own Central Division, they are flourishing with a masterful mark of 26(21-3-2), earning 44 out of a possible 52-points for a winning percentage of a sparkling .846. They are an indomitable 13(13-0-0) at home and 13(8-3-2) abroad. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are currently enjoying an existing 5-games' win streak in upgrading their overall mark to 6(5-1-0). They are 3(2-1-0) at home and a faultless and flawless 3(3-0-0) on the road. Against the Western Division, the "Knights of Nelson" have exhibited the most improvement, having carved-out a current 7-games' unbeaten streak at 7(6-0-1). In the process, they have advanced their mark against the West above the .500 level at 30(13-11-6); at home: 16(10-3-3); on the road: 14(3-8-3). The breakdown; Central Division: Kalamazoo 8(7-0-1)30-18; home: 3(3-0-0)12-6; road: 5(4-0-1)18-11; Motor City 5(5-0-0)24-9; home: 3(3-0-0)16-5; road: 2(2-0-0)8-4; Flint 8(6-2-0)21-21; home: 4(4-0-0)9-5; road: 4(2-2-0)12-16; Port Huron 5(3-1-1)18-13; home: 3(3-0-0)14-6; road: 2(0-1-1)4-7. Western Division: Missouri 6(3-1-2)20-17; home: 3(2-0-1)13-9; road: 3(1-1-1)7-8; Quad City 6(4-2-0)20-12; home: 4(4-0-0)18-7; road: 2(0-2-0)2-5; Kansas City 7(3-2-2)23-20; home: 3(2-1-0)12-7; road: 4(1-1-2)11-13; Rockford 6(3-3-0)18-15; home: 2(2-0-0)8-3; road: 4(1-3-0)10-12; Fort Wayne 5(0-3-2); home: 4(0-2-2); road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. Eastern Division: Richmond 2(2-0-0)9-4; home: 1(1-0-0)4-1; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Danbury 1(1-0-0)4-0; home: 1(1-0-0)4-0; Elmira 1(1-0-0)5-0; road: 1(1-0-0)5-0; Adirondack 2(1-1-0)4-4; home: 1(0-1-0)2-3; road: 1(1-0-0)2-1.

CREASE POLICE: For the third successive week, the Fury rank as the top defensive team in the UHL. Through 62-games, they have allotted only 152-GA for a GAA of stellar and stingy 2.45. During their current 13-games' undefeated streak, the Fury have yielded only 28-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.15. During their 8-game home win streak, the GA has been only 14 for a GAA of 1.75. When the Fury permit 3-GA or less in a game this season, the record has been a strong 51(36-9-6). In 51 of 62-games, the Fury have allowed only 3-GA or less.

THE TOP CROP: The UHL's defending scoring champion, Robin Bouchard 58(32-45-77) has maintained his 5th place residence among the league's leading elite. Jeff Nelson 62(17-54-71) and Brant Blackned 59(22-49-71) are tied for 10th. Bouchard's 32-goals tie him for 4th most in the UHL while Nelson's 54-assists tie him for 4th most as well. Bouchard (15) shares the league-leadership in PPG and his 38-PP/Points give him the league's top position. Blackned (34) ranks 4th in the same category. In the PP/Assists department, Nelson (24) and Bouchard (24) are tied for 3rd with Blackned (23) ranked 5th. Nelson is tied for the league-lead in GWG with 6 with Blackned right behind with 5. Rustyn Dolyny's 4-SHG rank as 5th best in the loop. B.J. Gaustad continues to lead the UHL in goal-scoring shooting percentage at 23/107 for a marksmanship rating of 21.5%. David Ambler ranks 6th in the league in PIM with 244 while his 24-majors list him 4th. Jason Lawmaster is 5th in the league in minor penalties with 54. In the rookie scoring category, Billy Collins 49(13-9-22) ranks 18th with line-mate Bill Zalba 55(10-11-21) 19th. Among the UHL defensemen, Dave Van Drunen ranks 6th with a +20 rating and Jordon Flodell is 3rd in majors with 11. In the UHL goaltending department, Clayton Pool ranks 3rd with a 2.35 GAA while his .917 SPCT lists him 6th. Sylvain Daigle leads the league in SPCT at .935.

"D-V-D DEE": The Fury All-Star defenseman Dave Van Drunen has been a "Rock of Gibralter" on the backline, blue-line all season long. He has constantly performed with great consistently and continuity yet in a somewhat unheralded and unsung fashion. The past two games' weekend, the former AHL and IHL standout was never better in anchoring the defense and spearheading the Fury's latest undefeated week. In the 2-games, he was 2(0-1-1) assisting on the key, crucial Robin Bouchard late second period with only :08 remaining to bring the Fury back into contention from a 2-0 deficit to eventually salvage the regulation tie in a most satisfying comeback. In addition, he was one of only two Fury players to be a plus player for both games at +2. This week, we salute the Fury's UHL #1 defense by nominating Van Drunen for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

DAIGLE DAZZLE: It was even more lustrous leather larceny from the Fury's goal-gate guardian Sylvain Daigle. Hailed last week as the UHL Goaltender of the Month for February, the "Sly-Guy" was bedazzling in his lone appearance for the weekend. Again, he was named the #1 Star in his team's 3-1 verdict over Quad City as he brushed aside 20 of 21-shots to record his 8th straight victory. During his personal 8-game winning streak, the Fury's two-time team MVP has grudgingly surrendered a menial 11-GA for a GAA of a miserly 1.37 and a SPCT of a lofty .954. Moreover, he has been named the "Star of the Game" 5-times and the #2 Star on one other occasion. Daigle, again, is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

BILLY BRINGS IT: First-year center Billy Collins seems to be gaining his second wind as his first full pro season heads into the homestretch. In both games the past weekend, the Wayne State rookie emerged as one of the Fury's more dangerous weapons. In fact, in Sunday's victorious decision over Quad City, the Fury's 4th round choice of the March 2004 North American Amateur draft stoked the game's key FG for his 13th strike of the season. For the weekend, he offered 7-SOG and a +1 rating.

COLIN CONNECTS: Third-year pro Colin Embley marked his return to the Fury lineup in grand form. Shelved for 11-games due to injury, the former U. of Calgary star helped spark his team with a little bit of sound and solid defense and some touch-in-the-clutch timely goal-scoring punch. His key, clutch PPG early in the third period Sunday severed a tight 1-1 tie and ultimately catapulted his team into the victory circle with the 3-1 triumph. It was the former WCHL rookie of the year's 4th goal for the Fury and his second of the GWG variety. Embley has been the utter master of the important goal this season with 3 of his overall total of 5-goals resulting in the GWG.

THE CENTER WITH SOUL: The Fury's pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot Todd Robinson stays at the soul of the Muskegon's hockey universe. The past weekend, "T. Rob" added to his most recent "Robinsonian" point-scoring scourge. Essaying a single point in each contest, including the ENG that cemented Sunday's success over Quad City, the franchise' second all-time leading scoring magician has extended his point-streak to 5-games with 5(5-2-7). Since rejoining Muskegon, following his protracted stint with AHL Grand Rapids, Robinson is 9(6-6-12); for his Fury season in composite; 18(11-16-27). To validate his value to the Fury, dating back to last season, with Robinson in its lineup, Muskegon, astoundingly, is undefeated in the last 35-games at 35(32-0-3).

MULTI-MALADIES: Making Muskegon's successful past weekend even more pronounced and prominent was the manner in which the coronated kingpins conducted their on-ice business. With three of their major operatives on the shelf due to a sundry of ailments and maladies, the Fury seemed undaunted and unfazed by it all as they kept alive their remarkable unblemished streak. "Team Title" operated without the talented services of their best plus player, B. J Gaustad (+21) with his 23-goals runner-up for the team lead. He is on the disabled list as is captain Rustyn Dolyny, a member of Colonial Cups II and III and Scott Hollis who had cannonaded 4-goals in the last 4-games.

PLUS ARE US: The latest update on the Fury's top plus players include, in order: 1- B.J. Gaustad +21; 2- Dave Van Drunen +20; 3- Brant Blackned +17; 4- Jordon Flodell +16; 5- Jeff Nelson +15; Nolan Brown +15; 7- Robin Bouchard +10; 8- Jon Insana +8. With 18-games remaining on the regular season schedule, the Fury still have 3-players who have suited-up for all 62-games; Jeff Nelson, Jon Insana and Tyler Palmer.

NOT EVEN TEAMS: Both the Fury special teams remain at the top of the summit in their respective disciplines, although the power play has been somewhat somnolent lately. With the extra man, the Fury are #1 at 65-275 for a proficiency rating of 23.7%, their lowest rating of the year. The Colin Embley PPG/GWG Sunday was only the club's 2nd PPG in the last 20-opportunities for a rather desolate 10.0% rating. However, the shorthand band continues to operate with flash, dash, panache and a strong hint of bash. The penalty-killing cast of characters is a brilliant 287-322 for an efficiency rating of a league-best 89.1%. The Fury's latest streak is now at 15 for 15. Opponents are only 6 for the last 88, giving the "Fury-men" a rating of a scintillating 93.2%.

HISTORY HALLMARKS: Robin Bouchard (643) has vaulted into 4th place on the UHL's all-time games played list. Goaltender Sylvain Daigle (145) has tied Sergei Zvyagin for third place on the UHL's all-time wins' list. Brant Blackned (322) is just 3-goals away from tying Paul Polillo (325) for 5th place on the UHL's all-time goal-scoring list. Blackned has also climbed into 4th place on the league's all-time GWG list with 45. Todd Robinson (109) with his next goal will tie Mark Turner (110) for 6th place for Fury career goals. Robinson is only 4-goals back of Paul Kelly (113) for 5th all-time. Scott Hollis 731(297-301-598) is 3-goals from 300 and 2-points from pro career 600.

FEW FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With their 3-1 home triumph over Quad City, the Fury are perfect at home on Sunday matinees at 5(5-0-0). The Fury are just one win away from reaching the prestigious 40-victories' plateau for the third time in 4-years, the 6th time in 8-years and for the 8th time in the last 11-seasons. Muskegon has already assured itself of its 13th consecutive winning season, mirroring their entire existence in the UHL. The Fury have posted a record of 13(5-8) in the OTSO with all 5-wins coming at home, meaning they are bereft of victory abroad in such affairs at 5(0-5). The Fury have outscored the visiting team at home, through the first two periods, combined, 86-39.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

TUESDAY, MARCH 8TH THE FURY AT FLINT 11:00 AM

This game actually is the re-scheduled one that was originally slated for the evening of February 16th in Flint. This one will be played late morning and will mark the ninth and final meeting of these two long-time on-ice antagonists. The Fury lead the series, 8(6-2-0) by virtue of a sweep of all 4-games at home with all 4 captured by way of the OTSO. Meanwhile, in Flint, the Fury have broken even at 4(2-2-0). The week begins with Flint aspiring for the 8th and final playoff berth, currently tied with Quad City. The Generals have been bolstered recently with the acquisitions of two NHL standouts; namely Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jason Woolley and Kevin Miller; both from Michigan State.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11TH RICHMOND AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The third of five clashes for the two inter-divisional foes and the second one in a row in Muskegon. The Fury have claimed a 2(2-0-0) lead thus far through a 5-3 victory verdict on January 5th in Virginia, followed by a 4-1 triumph in the last session staged February 19th here in Muskegon. Dating back to last season's regular season finale, the Fury have captured the last three conquests against the RiverDogs. Richmond also begins the week's action in search for the last playoff berth, trailing Flint and Quad City by 4-points.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12TH ELMIRA AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

This will be Colonial Cup III revisited as the Jackals make their first appearance at Walker Arena since last May 2004 when the Fury ousted them for the UHL crown in a 4-0 sweep. After an inspiring start to the season, the Jackals have staggered, replacing their first and only coach Todd Brost for former NHL two-time Stanley Cup Champions, Philadelphia Flyers "Broad Street Bully" Dave "The Hammer" Schultz. The Fury lead the 3-games' season series, 1(1-0-0) due to a 5-0 shutout victory on January 8th in the Empire State. Meanwhile remains as the Jackals General Manager.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 7, 2005


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