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Fury unbeaten streak now at 11

February 28, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: After launching the month of February rather inauspiciously to the tune of sustaining setbacks in each of their first two games, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, culminated and punctuated the same month with a high, handsome and huge exclamation point. Under the doctrine of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the men of the Fury did not sustain another setback for the remainder of the month, spanning over three consecutive weeks and 11-consecutive games; 11(9-0-2). In the process, the Fury have fortified their grip atop the Central Division to 4-points over the second-place Kalamazoo Wings while remaining a scant single point behind the Eastern Division leading Adirondack Frostbite for first-place in the UHL's overall 14-teams' standings. With 60-games down and still 20 to go, Muskegon has reached the league's schedule three-quarters' pole having assembled a superlative record of 60(38-15-7) totaling 83-points. Kalamazoo 62(37-20-5)79 has also been binging, having registered a record of 9(6-1-2) in the last 9-games; 13(9-2-2) in the last 13-outings and 32(23-7-2) in the last 32-decisions. The Fury do hold two-games in hand on the Wings. It's also a titanic tussle for the league's overall leadership and playoff positioning with a mere 5-points separating the top five teams overall and just 10-points distinguishing the top seven teams. Adirondack 60(39-15-6)84 leads the pack, one point above the Fury. Then comes Fort Wayne 60(38-18-4)80 followed by Rockford 61(36-18-7)79 and Kalamazoo with 79. Danbury 62(36-22-4)76 is 6th and Missouri 62(34-22-6)74 ranks a very close 7th.

The Fury face a somewhat abbreviated game slate this week with only two weekend games on the docket. Friday night, the Fury travel to Kalamazoo for a showdown with the Wings before returning home Sunday for a 2:00 pm matinee affair in a renewal of rancor against one of their more principal archenemies, the Quad City Mallards. In a real rarity for the Fury, they will be idle this coming Saturday night.

HOT STYLE PROFILE: This past week represented the third consecutive week that the Fury achieved another undefeated week as they earned 5 of a possible 6-points through a record of 3(2-0-1). In the process, the "Furious Ones" advanced and otherwise enhanced their composite record to 60(38-15-7) for 83-points. Currently, the "Muskegonites" are riding the rising rapids of their longest undefeated streak of the season at 11-games; 11(9-0-2), outscoring the opposition in that favorable span, 40-24. "The Knights of Nelson's" last setback was incurred over three weeks ago when they trembled at home to Fort Wayne, the lone team they have not defeated thus far this season, 2-1. The current 11-games' undefeated streak is the Fury's longest such effort of the season, exceeding the previous best of two 10-game undefeated skeins, both 10(9-0-1). In the last 16-games, the Fury record stands at 16(12-2-2); last 29(21-5-3); last 36(25-8-3). Muskegon climaxed the month of February with a real crescendo and a mark of 13(9-2-2) which eclipsed last February's performance of 14(7-3-4). The Fury's longest win streaks this season have been 9-in a row (second longest in the UHL this season), two 5-game win streaks and one 4-game victory skein. The longest losing spell for this year has been 3-consecutively which has occurred twice. Muskegon's record in the first-half of the season was 40(25-10-5)55; in the second-half: 20(13-5-2)28. Comparing records to last year, after 60-games, the hometown team was 60(39-13-8)86-points. Presently, the Fury are 1-win and 3-points behind last year's pace.

HALLOWED HOME HALLS: With two more consecutive home ice wins over the past weekend, the torrid Fury have ballooned and mushroomed their home winning streak to 7-consecutive games, their longest such skein of the season and tying them for the second longest in the UHL in 2004-05. "Team Title's" overall home record of 31(24-4-3) ranks as the best in the league with their scant 4-home defeats two fewer than any other club in the loop. Moreover, in their last 10 at home; 10(9-1-0); last 20(16-2-2). Incorporating the last 9-games of last campaign, the Fury's have compiled an amazing home mark of 40(33-4-3) in their last 40-home games. In addition to their current 7-game win streak at home, the Fury have also attained two 4-game win streaks. The longest home unbeaten spans have been 9(7-0-2) and 7(6-0-1). Muskegon has been impeccable at home within their own Central Division as their 13(13-0-0) mark would attest.

ROAD MOTHERLODE: In salvaging a hard-earned, come-from-behind regulation time tie Friday night in Port Huron, the men wearing the Fury coat of arms extended their foreign ice unblemished streak to 4-games; 4(2-0-2). "Todd's Team's" last setback abroad occurred in the Fury's initial game of the month when they bowed in Rockford back on February 2nd, 3-1. Exploring further, we ascertain that Muskegon has engineered a glowing, gleaming mark of 14(9-3-2) in the last 14 long runway and very low altitude travels. For the entire season, they have attained a road record that is 3-games surpassing the .500 barrier at 29(14-11-4). The Longest road victory streak has been 6-in succession which does represent the second longest such streak in the league this season. There has also been one 3-game victory string in hostile territories. The longest losing spaces when sojourning to the league's hamlets have been 4-in a row and 3-consecutively.

DIVISION DIARY: The hometown, "Titletown" team has been prospering in a prominent, predominant posture against both the Central and Eastern Divisions with marked improvement now being realized within the Western Division as well. Within their own Central Division, the "Lakeshore Icers" have fashioned a formidable mark of 25(21-3-1), earning 43 of a possible 50-points. They are an insuperable 13(13-0-0) on the homestead and a stellar 12(8-3-1) with their road show. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are currently on a 5-games' win streak in hiking their overall mark in that category to a glistening 6(5-1-0). They are 3(2-1-0) at home and a flawless 3(3-0-0) away. Even in the Western Division, the Fury are suddenly finding the way, having orchestrated a 6-game unblemished streak at 6(5-0-1). For the season, they have surged above the .500 plateau against the West at 29(12-11-6); at home: 15(9-3-3); on the road: 14(3-8-3). The actual breakdown commences with the Central Division: Kalamazoo 7(7-0-0)28-15; home: 3(3-0-0)12-6; road: 4(4-0-0)16-9; 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; Kansas City 7(3-2-2)23-20; home: 3(2-1-0)12-7; road: 4(1-1-2)11-13; Quad City 5(3-2-0)17-11; home: 3(3-0-0)15-6; road: 2(0-2-0)2-5; 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.

DUE DILIGENCE DEFENSE: For a second successive week, the Fury stand alone as the premiere defensive aggregation nation in the UHL. Through 60-games, they have allotted only 148-GA for GAA of stingy 2.47. During their current 7-games' win streak at home, they have only permitted 13-GA for a GAA of a stingy 1.86. During their overall 11-games' unsullied streak, they have allowed only 24-GA for a GAA of 2.18. When Muskegon surrenders 3-GA or less in a game this season, the record posted has been 49(35-9-5). In 49 of 60-games thus far this season, the Fury have allotted only 3-GA or less.

BRIGHT LIGHTS LISTINGS: The UHL's defending scoring kingpin colossus, Robin Bouchard 56(31-42-73) ranks 5th in the league-wide scoring derby. Center Jeff Nelson 60(17-54-71) is listed 6th and Brant Blackned 57(22-48-70) is ranked 9th among the league elite. Bouchard's 31-goals rank him 4th best in the league while Nelson's 54-assists rank as 3rd most. Bouchard (15) shares the league-leadership in PPG and his 38-PP/Points give him the league's top spot. Blackned ranks 5th in that latter category with 32. In the PP/Assists category, Nelson (24) ranks 3rd, Bouchard (23) is 4th and Blackned (22) ranks 5th. Nelson is tied for the league-lead in GWG with 6 with Blackned close behind at 5-GWG. Rustyn Dolyny's 4-SHG rank as #3 and 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 5th in the UHL in PIM with 244 and his 24-majors list him tied for 3rd most. Jason Lawmaster is 5th in the league in minor penalties with 53. In the UHL rookie scoring department, Billy Collins 47(12-9-21) and Bill Zalba 53(10-11-21) are tied for 18th place. Among UHL defensemen, Jordon Flodell ranks 3rd with 11-majors. In the seal of good goalkeep-ing category, Clayton Pool ranks 3rd in the league with a thrifty 2.37 GAA with his .917 SPCT 6th best. Pool continues to boast the league's best winning mark among net-minders with a gaudy record of 23(16-3-4) for a win percentage of .783. Sylvain Daigle leads the league in SPCT at .934.

TODD TIME JUST IN TIME: It was a harrowing weekend of spellbinding, spine-tingling thrilling theatre from the pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot Todd Robinson. On back-to-back nights, the Fury's sleek, silk center sizzled late, dramatic snappy, snazzy goals that earned precious points in the standings for the defending crown incumbents. Friday night, in Port Huron, "T. Rob" ripped the chords with just :33 remaining in the third period to gain one point in the standings in tying the game at 3-3. Then 24-hours later, Muskegon's second all-time leading scoring mogul electrified the home crowd with a magical breakaway flight that resulted in the tie-breaking and ultimate GWG with only :53 left in regulation to defeat Missouri, 5-4. It was Robinson's second goal of the night. He was named the game's #2 Star Friday night and heralded the #1 Star the next night. For the week, he was 3(4-1-5) with 21-SOG and a +2 rating. Since his return from AHL Grand Rapids, he is 7(5-6-11). Robinson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE JEFF-JUMP-JAM: He is a zone of his own as he dominates every zone every game. The ubiquitous one, center Jeff Nelson is at the top of his game at an apropos time of the season. For the month of February, he was his team's top scoring ace with 13(6-11-17) as he paced the Fury in assists and shared the team leadership in goals. In addition his +7 rating was the Fury's 2nd finest for February. He closed the month with an 8-games' point-streak; 8(5-9-14), actually registering points in 10 of the last 11-games. "J. Nel" was a plus player for the last 9-consecutive games for the month, earning a masterful +12 rating in that span. His goal output included 3-FG, 2-PPG, 2-GWG and 1-TBG. Nelson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Month.

GOAL-GUARDIAN: The Fury's two-time team MVP goaltender Sylvain Daigle has been brilliant for the local squadron. He recently completed an extraordinary month of February in which he culminated with a still-extant 7-games' win streak; 7(7-0-0). In this current positive stretch, the "Sly-Guy" has grudgingly surrendered a meager 10-GA for a GAA of a scintillating 1.49 and a SPCT of .954. In one stretch he was hailed the game's #1 Star in 4 of 5-games while being saluted as the #2 Star in the Sunday matinee triumph over Rockford. For February, Daigle was 9(7-2-0) with a dynamic 1.74 GAA, one shutout and a SPCT of a .942. Daigle is the Fury's nomination for both Southern Sports / UHL goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.

"HOLLY'S" HUMMED HOWITZERS: Veteran right wing Scott Hollis is back in the lineup and he has never been better than he is right now. In the three games the past weekend, he Fury-fashioned 5-points on 4-goals, 1-assist with a strong +4 rating and 10-SOG. On Sunday, he delivered a dynamic 3-goal second period "hat-trick" that catapulted the Fury into the victory circle over rival Rockford, 4-2. Named the #1 Star in that latter contest, Hollis had a PPG and GWG in a real masterpiece of a performance. Despite only playing 40-games, "Hot-Shot-Scott" has authored 38-points; 40(18-20-38) with 9-PPG and 4-GWG.

MONTHLY MAGICAL: Three-year pro defenseman Jon Insana has just completed an utterly remarkable month of positive, premium, plus hockey. For the month of February, the erstwhile Michigan State standout was 13(3-4-7) as he remains Muskegon's top scoring member of the blue line brigade. However, superseding his offensive punch and prowess, was his impeccable defensive effort in posting a magnificent +14 rating, a full +7 better than any other member of the club for February. At his nadir of the season, Insana had a rating of -15. Now, he is a supreme +9 for the entire season.

TYLER TOP-DRAWER: Unsung and unheralded defenseman Tyler Palmer enjoyed a stout, strong, stellar weekend on the Fury blue line. Muskegon's quietly-efficient defensive-minded defenseman was at the top of his game, especially in the two-games' home stand series. For those two outings, he authored an exceptional +4 rating, including an outstanding +3 rating Saturday night in the Fury's thrilling victory over Missouri.

THE PLUS PLAY PLAN: This week's rundown of the Fury's premiere, premium, positive plus players of the week include, in order; 1- B.J. Gaustad +21; 2- Dave Van Drunen +18; 3- Jordon Flodell +17; Brant Blackned +17; 5- Jeff Nelson +16; 6- Nolan Brown +14; 7- Robin Bouchard +10; 8- Jon Insana +9.

SHORTHAND BAND GRAND: On Sunday, the Fury penalty-killing outfit, ranked #1 in the UHL, was, again, extremely effective in extinguishing all 8- Rockford man advantages. The night before, the shorthand band disarmed 8 of 9 Missouri power plays. For the season, the Fury have immobilized 283 of 318 enemy power plays for an efficiency rating of a league-best 89.0%. The opposition is only 4-54, 5 for the last 67, 6 for the last 86 and 7 for the last 94 for a rating of a masterful 92.6%. Muskegon has yielded the fewest PPGA at only 35. Meanwhile, the power play has been in a somewhat stagnant state in recent action. The Fury are only 1 for the last 12 and 5 for the last 28 for a proficiency mark of 17.9%. However, the Fury still own the best power play in the league; 64-266 for a rating of 24.1%. Their 64-PPG also lead the league.

MINING MILESTONES: With his 4-goals in 3-games the past weekend, Todd Robinson (108) has vaulted over both Sergei Kharin (104) and Justin Morrison (106) for 7th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Robinson is only 2-goals shy of tying Mark Turner (110) for 6th and 5-goals short of equaling Paul Kelly (113) for 5th place on the list. Scott Hollis 730(297-300-597) is just 3-goals shy of pro career 300 and 3-points away from 600. Hollis (95) is just 5-goals away from becoming only the 10th player in Fury franchise history to score 100-goals. Brant Blackned (128) is just 6-goals from tying Brett Seguin (134) for 2nd place all-time on the Fury goal-scoring list.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the Fury score 4 or more, they are unblemished at 30(29-0-1). Muskegon leads the league in second period goals with 87. The Fury have yet to win an OTSO on the road this season, posting a 4(0-4-0) mark. All 5 of their OTSO victories have come at home 8(5-3-0). In sweeping the final 3-meetings of the season against Missouri 3(3-0-0), the Fury outscored the River Otters in the second stanza, 8-0. In their last 8-meetings against Western Division rivals Missouri 3(3-0-0), Rockford 4(3-1-0) and Quad City 1(1-0-0) combined, the Fury have claimed a record of 8(7-1-0). The Fury only have a losing record this season against Fort Wayne 5(0-3-2).

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: It was the third successive undefeated week for the Fury in capping the month of February. Facing 3-games in 3-days, the Fury responded mightily with a 3(2-0-1) mark. Opening Friday night in Port Huron, the Fury fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to gain one treasured point through the regulation time tie in a 4-3 OTSO outcome. Todd Robinson (1-1-2) connected on a late, dramatic GTG with just :33 remaining after Muskegon had lifted its goaltender, Clayton Pool for the sixth attacker. Earlier, David Ambler and Jeff Nelson (GTG) also stoked strikes. Pool faced 37-Beacons' shots. Returning home for the balance of the weekend, the Fury claimed two more conquests. Saturday night, it was more scoring heroics from Robinson as this time, his second goal of the night on an electrifying breakaway flight with only :53 left produced a thrilling 5-4 verdict over Missouri. Nelson (1-1-2), Jon Insana (FG) and Scott Hollis also connected with Rustyn Dolyny and Brant Blackned each assisting twice. Sylvain Daigle rebuked 32-shots in goal. Then on Sunday afternoon, the Fury erupted for three second period goals and dispatched Rockford, 4-2. Hollis fired a pure 3-goal "hat trick" in the middle frame after Robinson had essayed the game's FG. Nelson and Blackned both had 2-assists. Daigle made 31-saves for his 7th straight victory.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH THE FURY AT KALAMAZOO 7:30 PM

This crucial clash will feature the top two teams in the Central Division and two of the truly premier teams in the UHL. It is also the eighth of nine meetings between the two nearby archrivals and the fifth and final one at Wings' Stadium. The Fury have found some good fortunes thus far with a perfect record of 7(7-0-0) against the Wings. They are 4(4-0-0) on the road and 3(3-0-0) at home.

SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH QUAD CITY AT THE FURY 2:00 PM

The Fury's lone home appearance for the first week of March as they collide with the Mallards for the sixth time overall and the fourth and final time in Muskegon. The Fury have a slight edge in the series, 5(3-2-0) with the home ice advantage tantamount to success. In the Mallards last endeavor here, the Fury overcame a 4-0 second period deficit and ultimately prevailed in the OTSO, 5-4.

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