Fury undefeated through first four weeks
Published on November 7, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES: Through five weeks of the 2004-05 United Hockey League season, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury, remain, remarkably, the lone undefeated team in the league at 8(7-0-1). In the process, second-year head coach Todd Nelson's aggregation nation has accumulated 15 of a possible 16-points while maintaining their stranglehold on first place in the Central Division standings. Their 15-total points also give them the overall league leadership among the 14-teams comprising the 14-year-old circuit. Earning two more wins, both at home the past weekend, Muskegon has secured a 5-points' bulge over second-place Kalamazoo 8(5-3-0)10 with the Wings having won 2-in a row and 3 of their last 4-starts; 4(3-1-0). In carving out the advantage atop their own Michigan-only Central Division standings, the men of the Fury have engineered a perfect 4(4-0-0) mark during intra-divisional competition. They have gained conquests over Flint twice; 2(2-0-0)8-3; Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0)4-3 and Motor City 1(1-0-0)5-3. Muskegon's total victory output of 7 ties them for the league-lead with Eastern Division front-running Elmira 11(7-4-0)14. Still without an outright setback thus far through their first 8-outings in the season, the Fury find themselves standing alone in the league in that crucial category as every other member club has incurred at least two-defeats. This week, the Fury face their first 3-games' work week of the campaign, playing twice abroad and once at home where they are playing 7 of their initial 10-games this title-defending season. The kingpins launch the week by making their second early-season appearance in Kalamazoo for a duel with the Wings on Wednesday night before returning home to the friendly climes and environs of Walker Arena Friday for a second clash with expansionist, upstart Kansas City. Saturday night, Muskegon caps the week with an excursion to Flint for a date with the Generals.
AND STILL COUNTING!!: By posting a pair of home triumphs the past weekend, the "Furious Ones" have elevated their undefeated record to an extraordinary 25-consecutive games at 25(24-0-1), accruing 49 of a possible 50-points in that amazing span. The Fury have assembled such storied success in the following fashion: the last 3-games of last regular season; 3(3-0-0)21-9; the Colonial Cup Playoffs; 11(11-0-0)29-14; the 2004-05 pre-season; 3(3-0-0)14-4; and now the current regular season; 8(7-0-1)37-19. The last outright setback sustained by the mighty Muskegonites was over 7-months ago, 4/3/04, last season at home where Fort Wayne edged them, 3-2. It's also interesting to note that it was the same Fort Wayne Komets team which interrupted the Fury's 21-game winning streak back on 10/29/04 in a 6-5 OTSO affair. With those two more victories over the weekend, minor pro hockey and the UHL's all-time best winning franchise has advanced to within 3-victories of becoming the first team-ever in league annals to amass 500-triumphs. Thus far this season, the Fury have posted an unblemished mark of 8(7-0-1) with a current 3-game win streak intact. Muskegon's longest win streak so far this year has been 4-in a row. One year ago, after their first 8-games, the Fury had compiled a 8(5-3-0)10 record. Currently, the Fury are 2-wins, 3-losses and 5-points superior to last year's pace.
HOMESTAND STRONG: Having performed in 6 of their first 8-regular season outings at home, the Fury have raised the homestead record to an unbeaten 6(5-0-1), registering 11 of an available dozen points. That represents the UHL's premiere home mark with their present home win skein set at 2-in a row. Incorporating last season, and during the overall 25-game undefeated streak, the "Knights of Nelson" have swelled the home unsullied skein to 15-games at 15(14-0-1)64-29. This unblemished skein consists of the final 3-games of last regular season; 3(3-0-0)21-9; all 5-playoffs home games; 5(5-0-0)16-7; one pre-season encounter this season; 1(1-0-0)6-1 and the initial 6-home performances thus far in this new season; 6(5-0-1)27-15. Longest home win streak thus far this season is 3-in succession; 3(3-0-0). Last season, the Fury did set an all-time club record for longest undefeated skein at home at 20(14-0-6), spanning exactly three months from 12/19/03 to 3/19/04.
INVADING PERVADING: The Fury have seen action abroad only twice thus far this season but have been most impressive in both outings. The victory verdicts have been momentous ones as they have been collected within their own Michigan-only Central Division; a 6-2 decision of the Generals in Flint on opening night, October 15th followed by a 4-3 conquest in an October 30th contest in Kalamazoo. Dating back to last season, the Fury have won a remark-able 10-straight games in foreign territory; 10(10-0-0)37-15.
DIVISION STREET SHEET: Through the initial four weeks of the 2004-05 UHL season, the Fury have been truly excelling as their undefeated 8(7-0-1) record would attest. Within their own Central Division, they have been masterful with a perfect mark of 4(4-0-0)17-9. Muskegon has also achieved a 4(3-0-1)20-10 record against Western Division entries. The Central Division breakdown: Flint 2(2-0-0)8-3; home: 1(1-0-0)2-1; road: 1(1-0-0)6-2; Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0)4-3; road: 1(1-0-0)4-3; Motor City 1(1-0-0)5-3; home: 1(1-0-0)5-3. In the Western Division: Quad City 2(2-0-0)10-2; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; Kansas City 1(1-0-0)5-2; home: 1(1-0-0)5-2; Fort Wayne 1(0-0-1)5-6; home: 1(0-0-1)5-6.
BEST AT BOTH: After the first 8-games of the season, the first-place Fury lead the UHL in both team offense and team defense. Offensively, they have generated a proficient 37-GF for a GFA of a prolific 4.63. Muskegon's mighty knack on the attack has connected on 6-GF twice, 5-GF thrice and 4-GF twice. During the 25-game unbeaten streak, they have amassed 101-GF for a GFA of 4.04. At home this season, the Fury have 27-GF for a GFA of 4.50. During the 15-game home ice undefeated skein, the Fury have authored 64-GF for a GFA of 4.27. On the road this year, they have scored 10-GF in 2-games for a GFA of 5.00. Since the inception of their present tense 10-game road victory string overall, Muskegon has notched 37-GF for a GFA of 3.70. As far as the defensive zone is concerned, the Fury have allotted just 19-GA in 8-games for a GAA of 2.38. They have surrendered only 46-GA in the 25-games unbeaten streak for a GFA of a brilliant 1.84. At home, this year, the GA is 14-GA in 6-games for a GAA of 2.33 and on the road the GA is 5-GA in two games for a GAA of 2.50. In the 10-game win streak abroad, the Fury have grudgingly allowed 16-GA for a GAA of 1.60. During the 15-game home ice undefeated streak, they have yielded 30-GA for a GAA of 2.00.
TOP TIMBER: The UHL's defending scoring champion, Robin Bouchard 8(7-9-16) has skyrocketed meteorically to a tie for 3rd in the UHL scoring derby. Todd Robinson 8(5-10-15) is 7th and Brant Blackned 8(4-9-13) is ranked 14th in the league. Bouchard's 4-PPG rank as 3rd most in the league. Robinson (11), Bouchard (11) are tied for the UHL lead in PP/Points with Blackned (10) right behind. Robinson(8) leads the league in PP/Assists. Robinson's overall total of 10-assists tie him for 3rd most. Dave Van Drunen's +8 rating ranks as 3rd best in the league. Jason Lawmaster's 15-minor penalties are foremost and his 75-PIM are 4th most in the loop. Nolan Brown's 43-PIM rank rookie 5th; Billy Collins 2-PPG tie him for rookie runner-up in the league. Collins is also 3rd among rookies in goal-scoring shooting accuracy at 2/11, 18.2%. In the goaltending department, Brent Belecki ranks 4th in the UHL with a 2.17 GAA with his 5-wins tying him for 2nd most in the circuit. Clayton Pool (2.50 GAA) is 8th ranked.
THE "T. ROB" RITZ: Center Todd Robinson remains the kinetic constant of consistency in his illustrious 5-year Fury career. Muskegon's second all-time leading scorer 271(103-169-372), enjoyed another supreme week of point-productivity. For the 2-games' weekend, he was 2(2-3-5) with all of his points percolated on the Fury's #1 ranked power play. In Friday night's 6-1 conquest of Quad City, "T. Rob" essayed 4-points; (1-3-4), with all of them earned essayed in a Fury 4-goal PP second period powderkeg. Then on Saturday night, the Fury's Colonial Cup II hero and MVP struck with some thrilling theater with only :43 remaining in regulation time to tie Flint 1-1 before his squad ultimately prevailed in the OTSO to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The 2003-04 UHL scoring king abroad has recorded a scoring point in all 8 of his club's contests this season for a league-best 8-games' point-scoring streak; 8(5-10-15). Robinson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.
LARCENOUS LEATHER: Goalkeeper Brent Belecki enjoyed a sterling weekend of puck prevention attention, fashioning an impeccable 2(2-0-0) record in spurring his squadron to consecutive victories in as many nights over Quad City and Flint. For the weekend, the 7-year pro surrendered only 2-GA in 2-games for a GAA of a micro-scopic 1.00 while repelling 57 of 59-shots for a SPCT of a scintillating .966. In Friday night's 6-1 triumph over Quad City, he was named the game's #2 Star with 34-saves. Then on Saturday night, he was hailed the "Star of the Game" in his team's harrowing and dramatic 2-1 OTSO success over Flint. After yielding goals against on the Generals initial 2-shots of the OTSO, Belecki brushed aside 5-straight shots to gain the win. Belecki is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.
"BAZOOKA BLAST" BLITZ: The Fury's all-time "Gun-Sling King" right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard had another one of his patented prolific performances in last Friday night's 6-1 rout of Quad City. The Fury franchise all-time premiere career cannoneer flamboyantly fashioned 5-points on 2-goals, 3-assists with 1-PPG, 1-GWG and 6-SOG. Pro hockey's all-time goal-scoring streak record-holder was acclaimed the game's #1 Star as he pushed his latest goal-scoring scourge to 5-games; 5(7-6-13). His 5 on Friday masterpiece advanced him to 650-points in his magnificent Muskegon career.
"BIG BEAR" BOUNTEOUS: Ten-year veteran left wing Brant Blackned is back on the high beams, again, following Friday's 4-points against Quad City. With (1-3-4) for the night, the "Big Bear Barrage" made connection on his first strike since an opening night 3-goal "hat-trick" October 15th in Flint. Three of his 4-snipes this season have been stoked on the power play. Blackned has authored one 5-point performance and one 4-point game thus far in the early season wars.
NOLAN GROWIN': First-year defenseman Nolan Brown is maturing masterfully as a real rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed rearguard rampart on the Fury blue line. Muskegon's second round selection in the March 2004 UHL North American Amateur Draft has been assertive in playing with greater confidence and authority. In his first 8-games, he is 8(0-1-1) with 43-PIM. His +5 rating is second best on the Fury club.
MANPOWER MAJESTY: The Muskegon special teams continue to shine brightly. The renowned power play is maintaining its lofty #1 rating in the UHL with a proficiency rating of 36.2% at 17-47. They are 7 for the last 14 for a conversion ratio of a star-studded 50.0%. The Fury's 36.2% PP rating is over 14% better than the rest of the UHL. In Friday night's 6-1 triumph over Quad City, the Fury delivered 5-PPG for the second time in a single game this young season. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury are rated a lofty #2 in the league at 47-53 for an efficiency rating of 88.7%. In recent action, they have neutralized 11-consecutive enemy power plays and have actually precluded 20 of the last 21 for a rating of a majestic 95.2%.
HALLMARK MEN: Robin Bouchard (395) is just 5-goals hence from becoming only the second player in UHL history to attain 400-career goals. In addition, for his entire pro career, Bouchard (695) is only 5-games from 700 and (895) 5-points from 900; 695(452-443-895). Brant Blackned (111-140-251) has climbed into 4th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Blackned (590) is just 10-games from pro career 600. Scott Hollis (698) is just 2-games away from pro career 700. Todd Robinson (103) is one goal away from tying Sergei Kharin (104) for 8th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Dave Van Drunen (496) is 4-games from pro career 500.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Fury remain the best second period team in the UHL, out-scoring the opponents, 19-5. The Fury are 15(11-1-3) in their last 15-home decisions against Flint. The Fury are 4(4-0-0) when scoring the FG and 4(3-0-1) when they do not. Muskegon is 6(5-0-1) when out-shooting their opponents. Captain Rustyn Dolyny celebrated his 28th birthday by delivering the GWG in the OTSO win Saturday night against Flint. In his last 4-games, Scott Hollis is 4(4-4-8). The Fury rank 2nd in the league in PIM with 371 for a per game average of 46.4. The Fury have both set and equaled the club record for most PPG in one game this season; setting the new standard October 15th in Flint and duplicating the feat the past Saturday night against Quad City.
POST WEEK WRAP-UP: The defending titlists continued to win with class and character the past weekend as they dispatched Quad City Friday night, 6-1 on the strength of 5-PPG with 4 of those cannon-fired in the second stanza. Robin Bouchard (2-3-5) PPG/GWG, Scott Hollis (2-2-4)2-PPG/FG, Brant Blackned (1-3-4)PPG and Todd Robinson (1-3-4)PPG spearheaded the lusty assault. Brent Belecki turned aside 34-shots in the victory. Saturday night, the Fury fashioned the flair for the dramatic as they prevailed over Flint in the OTSO, 2-1. Robinson struck with a late PPG/GTG at 19:17 of the third period before Rustyn Dolyny won it in the extra time as Muskegon out-goaled the visitors, 3-2 in the SO. Belecki sparkled all night long in goal with 23-saves in regulation and 5-straight stops in the OTSO to provide his team the impetus it needed to lay claim to the thrilling victory.
THE FURY GAME DATES THIS WEEK:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 THE FURY AT KALAMAZOO 7:00 PM
The Fury and the Wings make their second date of the season with both bouts staged in Kalamazoo where "Team Title" has prospered in recent vintage. Muskegon prevailed in a taut-fraught affair back on October 30th, 4-3 to push its unbeaten streak at Wings Stadium to 6(5-0-1). Spanning in excess of the last three years, the Fury are 15(13-1-1) in their last 15-decisions in "K-Town." Kalamazoo enters the week having won 3 of its last 4 overall and with a 4(3-1-0) record at home with that single loss in each case inflicted by the Fury.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 KANSAS CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
For the Fury and the upstart, expansionists Outlaws, they meet for the second time this season and the second time in Muskegon. The Fury claimed a 5-2 conquest in the initial collision on October 23rd. Kansas City is in the midst of a grueling 15-game road trip after playing their first two ever UHL games at home. The Outlaws currently feature the highest scoring forward line in the league with the triumvirate of Joe Seroski, Jason Ruff and Steve Yetman.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 THE FURY AT FLINT 7:30 PM
Already the third of nine clashes this season and the second of five to be waged in Flint where the Fury extracted a 6-2 verdict on opening night back on opening night, October 15th. Currently, the Fury lead the series, 2(2-0-0)8-3 following their suspenseful 2-1 OTSO success in Muskegon the past Saturday night. This will be the 100th regular season lifetime meeting for these two long-time foes with the Fury being 99(51-40-8) against the always-formidable Generals.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 7, 2004
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Fury undefeated through first four weeks - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Mallards Fall 2-1 in Shootout - Quad City Mallards
- Rockford steamrolls Missouri, 5-1 - Rockford IceHogs
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