Fury undefeated in 15
February 5, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES: It was yet another strong week for the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the league-leading Muskegon Fury as they continue to build their advantage atop both the Central Division and overall UHL standings. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury produced a 3(2-0-1) week's work of accomplishments to garner 5 of an available 6-points to further fortify their grip at the circuit's summit. In the process, the Fury advanced and otherwise enhanced their overall season record to a regal 43(34-5-4) for a total of 72-points and a winning percentage of an extraordinary .837. Currently riding the rising rapids of a season's best 15-games' undefeated streak at 15(13-0-2), the Fury have maintained a 7-points' lead over second place Kalamazoo 45(30-10-5)65-points with, still, 2-games in hand on a Wings team which is also coming off a strong week's effort, having won 3-consecutively by a collective score of 20-5. Also staying up-close in the Fury's rearview mirror is torrid Western Division front-running Rockford 43(31-7-5) for 67-points. The Fury have gained a 5-points' edge over the Ice Hogs who are presently enjoying a 7-games' win streak and a masterful mark of 20(15-1-4) through their past 20-decisions. Meanwhile, Muskegon has constructed a 10-points' advantage over Eastern Division kingpin Danbury 47(27-12-8 )for 62-points with 4-games in hand on the Connecticut crew. This week, the Fury will remain in game competition within their own Michigan-only Central Division as they confront three divisional rivals in as many days on the weekend. The men of the Fury will broach the weekend Friday night at "The Garage" in Fraser where they will be guested by third place Motor City before returning home to the amiable climes and environs of Walker Arena for a Saturday night, Sunday afternoon combination. Kalamazoo comes calling Saturday night, preceded by the second and final game of the two games' home-and-home Alumni game series between the Muskegon and Kalamazoo Alumni squads. Then it's a 2:00 pm Sunday matinee feature against Flint.
TODD IS TOPS: When his Fury club claimed a late and dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 triumph the past Friday night against Flint. Third-year head coach Todd Nelson became the all-time best winning coach in Muskegon history under the Fury banner. It was "T. Nel's" 131st Fury victory to eclipse the former standard of 130-wins established by Rich Kromm who compiled his mark through three full seasons behind the Fury bench. The Fury's current incumbent coach shattered the record in the Fury's fourth game of the second half of his third campaign. For the record, T. Nelson also has attained the best winning percentage all-time for Fury coaches at 199(132-45-22) for .716.
"GUN-SLING KING" CROWNED: Always with the Francophone flamboyant flair for the dramatic and gigantic, veteran right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard became the greatest goal-scorer ever in UHL history the past weekend. On Friday night, in his 700th UHL career game, he tied the Kevin Kerr record with goal #469 by delivering the late, dramatic TB/GWG with only 2:51 remaining in the third period to sever a 3-3 deadlock and vault the Fury into the victory circle, 4-3. To add even greater theatre to the Bouchard game-winning strike was that it came in his 700th UHL career game and it came against the team that traded him away to Muskegon some 10-years, the Flint Generals. The Bouchard stage performance had an encore the following night. On that next night, his first of a natural 3-goals first period "hat trick" in a lightning-like sequence of 4:01 set the new record of 470 and, again, was the GWG; his 65th UHL career GWG to tie Kevin Kerr for #1 all-time in that category. Named the #1 Star in both games, "Bouch Almighty," in his last 11-games; 11(12-10-22). Moreover, he leads the UHL in multiple goal games with 10 as he has also become only the fourth player in UHL history to play 700-games. Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.
SUMMIT SUPREME: Achieving 5 of an available 6-points the past week with a record of 3(2-0-1), the "Furious Ones" have composed a magnificent mark of 43(34-5-4) for 72-points and a win percentage of an amazing .837. Presently, Muskegon is riding the rising tidal wave of an extraordinary 15-games unsullied streak at 15(13-0-2) with their last setback incurred six weeks ago, December 30th at Missouri, 5-3. Since then, the "Knights of Nelson" have yet to sustain a setback in the new calendar year of 2006. Dating back to last regular season, the Fury clad icers have posted a record of 52(40-7-5) in their last 52-games; last 74-games; 74(56-10-8); last 93-games; (69-15-9). In a comparative analysis to last year and Tarry Cup II, the Fury after 43-games, were 43(26-12-5)for 57-points. Presently, they are 8-wins and 15-points superior to a year ago and have sustained 7-fewer losses than last year. So far this season, the Fury have attained two 10-game win streaks, one 5-game win skein and one other significant unbeaten streak consisting of 7-games; 7(6-0-1). In 2004-05, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury accrued a 9-game win streak and an all-time club record and league season-best 17-games undefeated streak; 17(14-0-3). Last season as well, the Fury club attained two 10-game undefeated skeins with both being 10(9-0-1). For the monthly returns thus far this season: October 3(3-0-0); November 12(11-1-0); December 14(8-4-2); January 11(10-0-1); February 3(2-0-1).
HOME HOT-SPOT: By collecting two more home wins in as many nights the past weekend, the rampaging Fury-men swelled their latest undefeated streak at Walker Arena to 9-games; 9(8-0-1), outscoring the visitors, 50-23. In the process, the Fury have hiked their home log to the UHL's second best at 22(17-3-2), earning 36 of an available 44-points. Muskegon's last inhaled a home setback way back on December 16th, some 7-weeks ago when they were bushwhacked by Motor City, 5-2. The Fury's top home win streaks thus far this season have been 6-in a row and 5-consecutively. Dating back recent history library, the Fury are a sparkling 38(31-5-2) in their last 38-home outings and a remarkable 80(64-11-5) through their last 80-home dates.
ROAD-WISE GUYS: The Fury have been utterly majestic on the UHL road ways as far as foreign ice warfare is concerned. They continue to operate ominously as the top team abroad in the loop. With a record of 21(17-2-2) after 21-sessions road-bound, the Fury are currently in the midst of an impressive 8-game undefeated streak at 8(7-0-1). Their last taste of turbulence in the enemy's hostile territory was back on December 30th in Missouri. Twice, already this campaign, the Fury have fashioned 7-game road win streaks, each being the UHL's longest in that department. Each time, though, the Fury have come ever so close but could not match the franchise mark for most consecutive wins away at 8-straight set during the first 8-road games of the 2001-02 season, the year of Colonial Cup II. Muskegon's longest overall undefeated streak abroad this season has been 11(10-0-1).
THE DIVISION DRIVE: The Fury have been mastering each division in the UHL as each one confronts them thus far this season. Against their own Central Division: 23(16-4-3); home: 13(9-3-1); road: 9(7-1-1). The breakdown: Port Huron 8(5-0-3); home: 3(2-0-1); road: 5(3-0-2). Flint 4(4-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Motor City 6(4-2-0); home: 5(3-2-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Kalamazoo 5(3-2-0); home: 2(1-1-0); road: 3(2-1-0). Western Division: 13(11-1-1); home: 6(5-0-1); road: 7(6-1-0). The breakdown: Fort Wayne 4(4-0-0); home: 2(2-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0). Quad City 3(2-0-1); home: 2(1-0-1); road: 1(1-0-0). Missouri 4(3-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 3(2-1-0); Rockford 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0)' road: 1(1-0-0). Eastern Division: 7(7-0-0); home: 3(3-0-0); road: 4(4-0-0). The breakdown: Richmond 2(2-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0); Roanoke 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Adirondack 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Danbury 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0). Elmira 1(1-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0).
FUELED FIRED FURY: By posting a 3(2-0-1) record for the week, the Fury's top scoring offense in the UHL produced a prolific 17-GF for a GFA of a prodigious 5.67. In their 9-1 pounding of Port Huron Saturday night, the Fury fueled 6 or more goals in a single game for the 15th time in 43-games for an average of better than once every three games for such high-powered offense. Furthermore, it was the sixth time they had collected 8 or more goals and the third time they had reached the total number of 9-strikes. For the season, the Fury firepower is furnishing a burn-ishing 4.63-GFA. During their current 15-games' unblemished skein, the "Muskegonites" have fired 74-GF for a GFA of 4.93. On foreign ice, the Fury firepower has been even more lethal, delivering 103-GF in 21-games for a GFA of 4.90. This is the third consecutive campaign in which the Fury have attained the distinction of being the highest scoring machine in the UHL.
THE RED-HOT LOT: The Fury have sustained their dynamic domination in the majority of the UHL top-scoring offensive departments. Robin Bouchard 43(41-38-79) is #1 league-wide in the scoring race with line-mate Jeff Nelson 40(24-52-76) ranked #2. David Wrigley 43(25-27-52) is ranked 8th and Ryan Keller 35(25-25-50) is listed 11th. Bouchard (41) leads the UHL and has scored 9-more goals than all others in the league. Wrigley (25) and Keller (25) are tied for 6th with Nelson (24) being 7th. Nelson's 52-assists top the loop while Bouchard's 20-PPG are foremost. Nelson's 12-PPG rank 4th. Wrigley (7) and Keller (6) are 1-2 in GWG. Bouchard (228) leads the UHL in SOG. Wrigley's 4-SHG tie him for 3rd in the league with Todd Robinson (3) 5th. Bouchard is tied for circuit 2nd in OTSO goals, going 6/7 for the best percentage in the league. Ken Fels (14) is tied for 3rd in the UHL for major penalties with J. Nelson #3 in goal-scoring marksmanship accuracy, 24/100; 24%. Nelson is #1 in the UHL with a +35 rating with Wrigley, Keller and Dave Van Drunen all tied for 4th with +30. In the rookie scoring category, Wrigley and Keller are ranked 1st and 2nd respectively with Wrigley's 8-PPG 4th and Keller's 7-PPG ranked 5th. Keller is 4th in SOG with 144 while Wrigley and Keller are tied for rookie runner-up in goals. Wrigley's 27-assists also rank #2 among rookies. Brett Angel's 13-major penalties rank #2 and his 157-PIM are 4th most. Wrigley and Keller are tied for the best plus rookies in the UHL. For the defense, Trevor Johnson 43(7-33-40) ranks #3 in scoring with Van Drunen climbing to 10th; 43(7-20-27). Johnson (33) is 3rd in helpers with Angel leading all defensemen in majors while ranking 3rd in PIM. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, Kevin LaPointe ranks 6th with a GAA of 2.53 and Clayton Pool 25(20-3-2) ranks 2nd in win with 20.
20-GAME WINNER!: Muskegon goaltender Clayton Pool served-up another sound and solid week of puck-stopping "stupendo" in his squad's latest undefeated week. In two starts, the former U. of Alberta star posted a 2(1-0-1) mark, brushing aside 62 of 67-shots for a .925 SPCT while yielding 5-GA for a GAA of 2.50. Named the #3 Star Saturday night in the 9-1 bouncing of Port Huron, he ran his personal undefeated streak to 10-games; 10(8-0-2) with a 2.40 GAA in that span. His last loss was way back on 12/23/05 at Kalamazoo. Six of those 10-undefeated outings have come on the road where he is 6(5-0-1) with a 2.50 GAA. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.
"KELS KA-BONG!" High-stepping left wing Ryan Keller continues to skate like a rocket and rip major missiles for Muskegon. The UHL's reigning Easton / Rookie of the Month for January celebrated the coveted award with another week of fuel-injected firepower. Cranking goals in all 3-games, he ultimately produced 3(4-3-7) for his week's work, delivering 2-FG, 1-TBG, 12-SOG and an excellent +3 rating. The former 40-goal standout from the WHL Saskatoon Blades, in his last 14-games, 14(13-12-25); in his last 10-outings; 10(10-8-18). When Keller was anointed UHL Player of the Month for January, it marked the second consecutive month that a Fury rookie phenom had captured such prize. Last month, David Wrigley was so honored for the month of December.
FLASHING HIS BADGE: The "Lawman," left wing Jason Lawmaster was a speeding, intimidating, tormenting locomotive the past week. In particular, he was especially effective against division rival Port Huron. In the two-game home-and-home series against the fledgling Flags, the Fury's "human freight train" full frontal assault included 5-goals and 6-total points with a +5 rating and 9-SOG. Lawmaster capped his week's work with a masterful 3-goal "hat trick" in the Saturday night 9-1 dismissal of the Flags. Lawmaster launched the week with 2-goals for the season.
ZORRO ZALBA: Hard-working converted center Bill Zalba enjoyed an enriching week in the Fury employ with some sheer hustle and electric-like energy. The second-year pro spelled the injured Jeff Nelson Wednesday night in Port Huron and promptly proceeded to author 2-assists between Robin Bouchard and Ryan Keller. Saturday night in the rematch with the Flags, "Z" was even better with 1-goal, 1-assist, 2-points, 3-SOG and a +1 rating as he pivoted for line-mates Jason Lawmaster and Jeff Petruic. For the week, "Z for Zalba" was 2(1-3-4) with 8-SOG.
SMOOTH MOVE MINISTER: The smooth one, silk center Jeff Nelson is the best of the rest in the UHL. The Fury's consummate professional was limited to a pair of outings the past week, but as always is the case, responded masterfully. In those 2-games, he was 2(0-3-3) with a stellar +4 rating. One of those magical assists came as the absolute playmaker extraordinaire on line-mate's Robin Bouchard UHL career record-equaling 469th goal and the GWG with just 2:51 remaining regulation time in the Fury's late come back 4-3 victory verdict. In his last 12-games; 12(7-15-22).
UNEVEN STRENGTH: The Fury power play, for a third year running, continues to be ranked at the top in the league, percolating at a proficiency rating of 25.7% on 62-241, despite the fact that Muskegon has been presented the fewest power play advantages in the UHL. The Fury power play is 2 for the last 4 and 3 for the last 8-opportunities. Meanwhile it was a much improved week for the penalty-killing ensemble cast which had been somewhat stagnant recently. For the week, the Fury immobilized 20 of 22 opponents' extra man attacks for an efficiency rating of 90.9 %. Muskegon actually extinguished 16 of the last 17-such enemy endeavors for 94.1%. The Fury lead the UHL in SHG with 12; two more than they registered all of last season.
MORE MILESTONES MAKINGS: Center Jeff Nelson is scheduled to play his 1,000th pro career game on home ice, Saturday night against Kalamazoo. Rustyn Dolyny became only the 6th player in Fury club annals to play 300-games the past Friday night against Flint. Todd Robinson's SHG Friday night against Flint was the 16th in his illustrious Fury career which ranks him #1 all-time. Steve O'Rourke will play his 300th game as a pro Friday night for the Fury at Motor City. Ken Fels (973) is 27-PIM away from career 1,000.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury are 7(3-4) in the OTSO this season with 3 of the 4 OTSO misses coming against Port Huron; 3(0-3). Rookie goaltender Kevin LaPointe is currently on a 5-game win streak; 5(5-0-0). The Fury are a stellar 14(12-1-1) on Saturday nights thus far this season and a perfect 7(7-0-0) on Sunday; 6(6-0-0) on the road in the latter category. The Fury are the best third period team in the UHL, outscoring the oppo-nents, 76-37. Dating back to last season, the Fury have defeated Flint 9-consecutive times; 9(9-0-0).
THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: The Fury completed the week with a 3(2-0-1) mark with all three contests within their own Central Division. Wednesday night, in a rather rare happenstance, the Fury failed to secure a 3-1 third period lead, managing to salvage a single point in a regulation tie in an ultimate 5-4 OTSO outcome at Port Huron. Ryan Keller and Jason Lawmaster each uncorked a pair of goals for "Team Title" with Bill Zalba assisting twice. Muskegon was out-goaled in the OTSO, 3-2. The Fury out-shot the Flags, 52-37. Returning home for the weekend, the Fury responded with a 4-3 triumph Friday night over Flint and the 9-1 dismantling Saturday of Port Huron. Friday night, Robin Bouchard's UHL record-equaling 469th goal at 17:09 of the third period snapped the 3-3 tie. Ryan Keller (1-2-3)TBG, David Wrigley PPG/GTG and Todd Robinson SHG struck for the Fury as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit. Kevin LaPointe turned aside 26-shots. Saturday, Bouchard's natural 3-goal first period "hat trick"in 4:01, including his record-breaking, history-making 470th goal, also the GWG, was the major story. Though, Jason Lawmaster also fired a "trifecta" with 4-points and Keller along with Zalba each being (1-1-2). Jeff Nelson, Wrigley, Rustyn Dolyny, Jeff Petruic and Dave Van Drunen each earned 2-assists. Pool was precision-like in goal with 29-saves.
THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH THE FURY AT MOTOR CITY 7:30 PM
For the seventh time this season, the two in-state rivals will lock horns. However, it is only the second time the two teams have waged warfare at "The Garage" in Fraser and the first time since the Fury's first road game of the season back on November 6th. In that episode, the Fury claimed a convincing 6-1 conquest. For the season, Muskegon is 6(4-2-0) against former Fury coach Danton Cole's Mechanics, winning the last two clashes, both coming in Muskegon.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
The showdown rages on between the top two teams in the Central Division with the Fury currently having slight edge in the season series, 5(3-2-0). On home ice, Muskegon is 2(1-1-0) against the Wings who are opening the week with 3-consecutive command-performance type wins in which they outscored the opposition, 20-5. Kalamazoo has been thriving abroad in recent action with a record of 8(7-1-0) in their last 8-such dates.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH FLINT AT THE FURY 2:00 PM
This will be the fifth meeting between the two long-time UHL rivals and the fourth one in Muskegon where the Fury are a perfect 3(3-0-0) this season and a mighty 8(8-0-0) at home, dating back to last season. Overall, the Fury have conquered the Generals 9-consecutive times dating back to the 2004-05 season.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 5, 2006
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