Fury undefeated in pre-season
October 10, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES: As they completed last season, the season of UHL Colonial Cup III, the reigning champ-ions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have commenced their title-defending campaign with a perfect, undefeated pre-season slate. Under the auspices of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the "Furious Ones" produced perfection yet one more time with an impeccable 3(3-0-0) pre-season docket, out-scoring their embattled and beleaguered adversaries by a mammoth margin of 14-4. In the process, the hockeytown, titletown team has sustained its remarkable undefeated record which they established in record-breaking, history-making fashion at the climax of the 2003-04 season. It marked the third successive pre-season in which the Fury have been unblemished posting a combined 8(8-0-0) record in that propitious span. In 2003-04, under the "T-Nel" influence, Muskegon crowned the campaign with a brilliant, all-time club record 14-game winning streak which consisted of the final three games of the regular season; 3(3-0-0)21-9 followed by their unprecedented, unparalleled playoff-perfect 11(11-0-0)29-14, inexorable ascent to their latest UHL nation coronation. With two foreign ice successes the past week in Kalamazoo and Motor City respectively, followed by a home ice domination of the same newly-minted Mechanics, the men of the Fury appear set to launch the new season in quest with zest to defend the league's most coveted crown jewel. The Fury will inaugurate their 13th season of operations in the UHL as both the winningest franchise in all of minor pro hockey with a sparkling .620 winning percentage as well as the best in UHL league history with 490-triumphs. Under the team ownership of President / Governor Tony Lisman, the Fury franchise has also achieved the distinction of finishing every season having transcended the .500 barrier. In addition, the Fury have qualified for the UHL Colonial Cup Playoffs in all 12 of their previous years, mirroring their length of existence. Their lifetime 68-playoff victories are also foremost in league annals. No other team in the UHL can boast of such winning consistency. As they prepare for their grand home opening night extravaganza and one last salute and celebration to Colonial Cup III this Saturday night at Walker Arena against Motor City, Muskegon's newest on-ice edition will actually be launching the 45th consecutive year of professional hockey in our town. As a franchise rich in tradition, the Fury have become the consummate model of winning hockey excellence. The Fury have captured the Colonial Cup crown twice in the last three seasons and three times in the last five calendar years; (1998-99, 2001-02, 2003-04). Moreover, they have reached the Conference Finals for the last three years in a row and six times in the last seven years. Muskegon has claimed two division titles: (1995-96 and 1998-99) and one Tarry Cup crown as UHL regular season champions in the 1998-99 campaign.
OPENING WEEKEND IS HERE!: The Fury will inaugurate their 13th UHL season with a pair of intra-division encounters against fellow fractious foes from the league's Michigan-only Central Division. They will open the season Friday night, October 15th on the road in Flint for a 7:30 pm duel against the always-formidable Generals. Muskegon was 6(2-3-1) in six bouts with their long-time opponents, going 3(1-2-0) at Flint. The following night, the Fury will come back home for their 2004-05 home opening night extravaganza. This Saturday night, October 16th, the Fury will host the expansionists Motor City Mechanics in a 7:30 pm Walker Arena clash. That night, the Fury and their fans will celebrate Colonial Cup III one last time when the latest championship banner is raised, the Colonial Cup rings are presented and the first 1000 fans will receive a replica championship banner compliments of DTE ENERGY.
PRE-SEASON POSTSCRIPT: Fury perfection continued in the condensed and compressed pre-season schedule as the "Titletown Team" compiled a 3(3-0-0) record, out-goaling the enemy 14-4. Opening the pre-season of brevity Wednesday night in Kalamazoo, the Fury subdued, and otherwise tamed the Wings, 2-0. Rookie goalkeepers Clay-ton Pool and Dan Hoehne engaged in impressive pro premieres by combining on a 33-saves shutout while Billy Collins (FG/PP/GWG) and Jeff Nelson supplied the offensive firepower. Staying abroad Friday night in Fraser, MI, the home of the fledgling Motor City Mechanics, the Fury ambushed the new team's coming-out party in a 6-3 domination on the strength of a 3-goal first period outburst. Jason Lawmaster (1-3-4)GTG, Todd Robinson (2-1-3), Brant Blackned (1-1-2)PP/GWG, B. J. Gaustad (SHG) and Nigel Hawryliw (TBG) were the Muskegon marksmen with J. Nelson earning two assists. Brent Belecki and Pool shared the goaltending duties. Saturday night, the Fury returned home and made it two in a row over the Mechanics with a 6-1 demolition. Five unanswered strikes to sever a 1-1 deadlock, including a 3-goal siege in the final frame told the tale of the tape in this one. Scott Hollis (2-1-3)FG/TBG/GWG, Collins (1-1-2), Robinson (IG), Rustyn Dolyny and David Ambler also made connection with Nelson and Gaustad each adding two assists. Belecki was superb in goal with 33-saves.
FURY HOTLINE PRESENTED BY PEPSI: Now in its 10th consecutive year, the ever-popular Monday night Fury radio show, FURY HOTLINE PRESENTED BY PEPSI, is, once again, live every Monday night at Racquets Downtown Grill from 7:00 pm â 9:00 pm with Fury special guests. The program is hosted by the "Voice" of the Fury, Terry Ficorelli, on the 9-year exclusive radio home of the Fury, "KICKIN' COUNTRY 97.5," WEFG-FM 97.5.
THE CHAMPIONS ARE KICKIN' ICE ON "KICKIN' COUNTRY 97.5:" For the ninth straight year, all Fury games, home and away, in their entirety, all season long, are on the Fury's exclusive radio flagship home of "KICKIN' COUNTRY 97.5." In addition, the Fury daily update reports can be heard every day, Monday through Friday at 5:25 pm. THE FURY HOCKEY UPDATE is on every day on "KICKIN' COUNTRY 97.5."
THE PILLAR INDUSTRIES FURY WORLD-WIDE WEB-CASTS: All this season, all the Fury games may be heard on the Inter-net on the Pillar Industries Fury World-Wide Web-casts. Visit the Fury web-site and tune-in at www.furyhockey.com.
THE FURY TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all Fury games are available at the Walker Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster Centers or by phone at (231) 726-2400. VISA / MASTERCARD are accepted. For great group rates and festive birthday parties with the Fury, phone (231) 726-FURY (3879).
International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 10, 2004
- Ice is back at Kemper Arena as 22 Outlaws prepare for opening weekend - Kansas City Outlaws
- Jackals Heat Frostbite 5-2 - Elmira Jackals
- Fury undefeated in pre-season - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Houston Assigns Gherson to Mallards - Quad City Mallards
- Hunt, IceHogs top Mallards in exhibition opener - Rockford IceHogs
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