Fury winning streak at seven and counting
January 15, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES: With their latest winning streak having advanced to 7-consecutively, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the high-tech, high-voltage Muskegon Fury have maintained their advantage over both of their own, Michigan-only Central Division as well as the overall UHL's 14-team standings. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury have heightened their composite record for the 2005-06 season to a brilliant 35(28-5-2) for a grand total of 58-points and a winning percentage of a majestic .829. The men who wear the Muskegon coat of arms lead the league for most wins, fewest defeats and top win percentage. The first-place Fury are retaining a 3-points' advantage over second-place Kalamazoo 37(26-8-3)55-points with 2-games in hand on the Wings who are currently 6(4-1-1) in their last 6-starts and 13(9-2-2) through the past 13-outings. Incorporating the overall UHL banner chase and race, the "Furious Ones" continue to hold a slight lead over torrid Western-Division, front-running Rockford with one game in hand on the Ice Hogs, who own the league's premiere home record of 22(18-2-2) with one of those 2-setbacks inflicted by the Fury. Muskegon has gained a 6-points edge over Eastern-Division pace-setting Danbury 38(23-9-6) 52-points with 3-games in hand on a Trashers squad that has compiled a sterling record of 26(19-3-4) in the last 26-games, including a current 3-game win skein. As far as the Fury are concerned, they face another critical and pivotal week on their schedule with 3-games in 3-days on the weekend with all 3-contests to be waged within their own Central Division. Their lone home appearance is on the docket for Friday night when Motor City comes to town for a second consecutive Friday night affair. Then, it's on the road for the home town team as they travel to Kalamazoo for a showdown with the second-place Wings on Saturday before trekking to Flint Sunday for a 4:00 pm matinee duel against the Generals.
THE FURY/ADIRONDACK GAME POSTPONED: The past Saturday night, the Fury were to host their Eastern Division rivals the Adirondack Frosttbite. This Fury home game at Walker Arena was postponed due to the passing of Adirondack Head Coach Marc Potvin. This Fury home game will be re-scheduled for a later date this season. The entire Fury organization wishes to extend their most sincere sympathies and condolences to the Adirondack Frostbite organization and to the family of Marc Potvin. The United Hockey League will be establishing a fund in the very near future for Marc's young son and daughter.
RECORD REMARKABLE: Settling on a two-games' work week the past week, the men of the Fury responded resoundingly with 2-consecutive convincing conquests in as many contests, outscoring the opposition, 14-6. In earning both key conquests within their own Central Division, the first-place Fury finery upgraded and otherwise elevated their overall season record to a dynamic 35(28-5-2) for 58-points and a win percentage of a magnificent .829. Their latest winning streak has ballooned and mushroomed to 7-in succession, representing their second longest victory streak of the current campaign. Dating back to last regular season, the Fury have compiled a sterling record of 44(34-7-3) in their last 44-games; last 66-games; 66(50-10-6); last 85-games; 85(63-15-7). In a comparative analysis from last year, the Fury find themselves even better than ever. In fact, they are presently 8-wins and 13-points superior to 2004-05 at this time when they were 35(20-10-5) for 45-points. Muskegon's longest win streak of the current season is 10-in a row; the first 10-games of the season. The Fury have also attained a 5-game win streak. Longest unbeaten skein has been 7(6-0-1). In 2004-05, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury's longest victory string was 9-straight while also generating a team-record and UHL league-best 17-games undefeated streak; 17(14-0-3). Last season, as well, the Fury club orchestrated two 10-game unsullied streaks; 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 6(6-0-0). The Fury have yet to sustain a setback thus far in the new calendar year of 2006.
HOME BLITZ BLISS: In engineering two more emphatic triumphs at home the past week, the local championship team swelled its most recent home win streak to 4-in a row, outscoring the embattled adversaries, 23-9. With victories of 8-3 over Flint and 6-3 against Motor City, Muskegon has hiked its home log to a sparkling 17(13-3-1) which ranks as the third best home mark in the UHL. Only Rockford 22(18-2-2) and Kalamazoo 16(13-2-1) are slightly better with the Fury extracting road wins from each of those two respective locales. To elucidate and illuminate, pertinent to the Fury's prowess at home, in their last 33(27-5-1); last 75-home dates; 75(60-11-4). The longest win streak at home so far this season has been 6-in a row. The longest win streak last season under the home dome was 10-consecutively.
ROAD REDOUBTABLE: The league-leading Fury's latest road win streak has sprouted to 5-in a row, outscoring the home-standing teams, 24-9 in that splendid span. The last taste of defeat abroad was back on December 30th in Mis-souri against the River Otters, 5-3. For the season, the Fury road mark stands at a league-best, brilliant 18(15-2-1). Their current 5-game road win skein represents their second longest of the season. The best such streak was 7-in a row which represented the Fury's initial 7-road encounters of the campaign. The longest unblemished skein abroad this year has been a stunning 11-games; 11(10-0-1).
DIVISION DYNAMICS: With an overall record of 35(28-5-2) the Fury have flourished against all three UHL divisional alignments; especially the Western and Eastern Divisions. They are combined 18(17-1-0) against those latter two delegations; 6(6-0-0) against the East; 12(11-1-0) against the West. Within their own Central Division, the league kingpins have posted a 17(11-4-2) log. The breakdown for the Central Division: Port Huron 6(4-0-2); home: 2(1-0-1); road: 4(3-0-1); Flint 2(2-0-0); home: 2(2-0-0); Motor City 5(3-2-0); home: 4(2-2-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Kalama-zoo 4(2-2-0); home: 2(1-1-0); road 2(1-1-0). Western Division: Fort Wayne 4(4-0-0); home: 2(2-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0); Missouri 4(3-1-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 3(2-1-0); Quad City 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0); Rockford 2(2-0-0); home: 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0). Eastern Division: Richmond 2(2-0-0); road: 2(2-0-0); 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); Roanoke 1(1-0-0); road: 1(1-0-0).
HIGH-TECH FUEL INJECT: In capturing two more convincing conquests the past week, the Fury proficiently produced 14-GF for a GFA of a prodigious 7.00. During the current 7-game win streak, they have registered 37-goals for a GFA of a mighty 5.29. Through the first 35-games of the season, Muskegon's fuel-injected, high-tech, high-octane engines have ignited to the tune of a league-best 162-GF for a GFA of 4.63. Already, in 14 of those 35-games, the Fury have scored 6 or more goals; an extraordinary attainment. For the entire season, the Fury have been actually more explosive on the road, recording 90-GF in 18-games for a GFA of 5.00.
TIP-TOP TALENTS: The Fury continue to dominate the UHL's major categories. Muskegon has the top two, three of the top five and five of the top 11-scoring artisans in the circuit. #1 Jeff Nelson 33(22-43-65); #2 Robin Bouchard 35(33-31-64); #5 David Wrigley 35(22-25-47); #10 Ryan Keller 27(17-23-40); Todd Robinson 20(8-32-40). Bouchard (33) leads the UHL in goals, having scored 10-more goals than any other player in the league. Nelson (22) and Wrigley (22) are tied for 3rd best in the UHL. Nelson's 43-assists lead the loop while Bouchard's 18-PP are #1 and Nelson's 10-PPG rank tied for 4th. Wrigley (7) and Keller (6) are 1-2 in the league in GWG; Bouchard's 185-SOG lead the league. Wrigley's 4-SHG are circuit 2nd and Brett Angel's 12-major penalties tie him for 3rd in the league. Nelson is 2nd in the circuit in goal-scoring shooting marksmanship; 22/86, .256. Dave Van Drunen (+27) ranks 4th, Nelson (+25) ranks 5th in the UHL for best plus rating. In the rookie scoring department, Wrigley is the UHL's top scoring yearling with Keller ranked #2. Wrigley's 7-PPG tie him for 2nd most while his 22-goals lead all of the league's rookies. Keller's 17-goals rank rookie 4th. Wrigley (25), Keller (23) are 1-2 in assists among this year's freshmen class. Wrigley is the UHL's best plus-rated rookie at +24; Keller is #3 at +19. Among the UHL defensemen, Trevor Johnson has surged to #3 in scoring with 35(7-25-32); Van Drunen is 12th 35(6-14-20). Johnson's 25-assists rank #3. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, rookie Kevin LaPointe is 5th with a GAA of 2.43 while Clayton Pool (17) is tied for 2nd in wins; 20(17-3-0).
RYAN'S EXPRESS EXPLODES: Talented first-year left wing Ryan Keller enjoyed another special week of point-productivity activity. In 2-games, he was 2(2-4-6) with 1-FG, 9-SOG and a superb +5 rating. Included in his week's work was a 4-points performance Tuesday in his team's 8-3 domination of Flint, achieving #2 Star honors; (1-3-4); followed by (1-1-2) and the game's important FG in the 6-3 dismissal of Motor City. He earned #3 Star status in the latter contest. In his last 6-games; 6(5-8-13). Keller is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.
POOL-SIDE SIZZLE: Clayton Pool has continued his winning ways in a major way for "TeamTitle." The past weekend, the former U.of Alberta star rang-up his 5th consecutive victory in his team's 6-3 triumph Friday night against Motor City. During his personal 5-game win streak, Pool has surrendered only 11-GA for a GAA of an avarice 2.20. Four of those 5-straight wins have been garnered on the road where he has allotted only 8-GA for a GAA of an even better 2.00. For the season, he has a glowing record off 20(17-3-0) for a win percentage of an ornate .850. Pool is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.
RUSTO BRAVISSIMO BRAND: The Fury captain, Rustyn Dolyny has been lighting up the night with his prolific precision pyrotechnics in recent Fury action. The past week, he sniped 4-goals in 2-games including his first 3-goal "hat trick" of the season in the Friday night victory over Motor City. For the week, he was 2(4-0-4) with a +4 rating and 11-SOG. Against the Mechanics, "Rust-O" had the touch in the clutch, delivering 2-tie-breaking goals, 1-SHG and the ultimate GWG, earning the game's #1 Star. In his last 10-games, he is 10(8-7-15).
"T. J. THE GREAT JOHNSONI": The Fury bedazzling defenseman, Trevor Johnson continues to skyrocket meteorically in the UHL scoring department among the blue line brigade. With his 1-goal, 1-assist performance Friday night, he has ascended to #3 in the league among scoring defensemen; (7-25-32). In that same contest, Johnson and his defensive partner Dave Van Drunen carded stellar +4 ratings which tie for the second best plus performance in a single game this season for the team with the last two "Cups."
SMOOTH-MOVE MASTER MAESTRO: The UHL's leading scoring sultan is smooth-move center Jeff Nelson. Muskegon's master maestro is averaging virtually 2-points each game as an absolute paragon of prominence and eminence; 33(22-43-65). In his last 5-games; 5(5-6-11) for an average of over 2-points each game. His 10-PPG rank as second most on the Fury club while he has also contributed 4-GWG and 4-multiple goal games.
THE HUMAN FREIGHT TRAIN: Muskegon's versatile defenseman/forward Jason Lawmaster is starting to round back into his normal formidable and ferocious form after being shelved for 6-weeks with maladies. "The Lawman" has asserted his persona presence and Muskegon menacing manner to the tune 18(2-10-12) with 79-PIM and an excellent +7 rating. Always possessing the uncanny knack on the attack for the dramatic and the dynamic, both of the Lawmaster strikes stoked thus far this season have been the key game-winning goals.
JONNY âI' FOUND THE EYE: Playing some of his best hockey of his second season with the Fury, former Michi-gan State star, defenseman Jon Insana is starting to bring it for the team with the rings. Friday night, in his squadron's 6-3 triumph over Motor City, he found the bulls- eye for the first time this season. His strike was Muskegon's climaxing goal in an early third period 3-goal blitz in 2:17. For the season, the runner-up for UHL Colonial Cup IV MVP is 25(1-14-15) with a growing +8 rating.
SPECIAL TEAMS TITANIC: The Fury power play continues to glisten as it has done since season's inception, operating at the stellar level of 25.7% proficiency; 54-210 with their 54-PPG also foremost in the UHL. The Fury have scored 29-PPG on the road and 25-PPG at home. In the penalty-killing category, the Fury rank 3rd overall, with the opposition only 31-235 for an efficiency rating of 86.8%. The Fury have defused 23 of the last 24-enemy man advent-ages for a rating of a masterful 95.8%. The Fury lead the UHL in shorthanded goals with 11.
MEASURING MILESTONES: Head coach Todd Nelson 191(126-45-20) is just 4-wins away from tying Rich Kromm (130) for the most coaching victories in Fury club history. Jeff Nelson (991) is just 9-games away from pro career 1,000. Robin Bouchard (799) will play his 800th all-time pro game in the Fury's next game, 1/20 vs. Motor City. Bouchard (394) is 6-assists away from the Fury 400. Robin Bouchard (464) is just 5-goals hence from tying Kevin Kerr (469) as the greatest goal-scorer ever in UHL history. Dave Van Drunen (599) will play his 600th pro game Friday night against Motor City. With his 3-goal "hat trick" Friday night, Rustyn Dolyny (108) has moved into 8th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. In the same game, Dolyny's GWG was his 17th to tie for 5th all-time for the Fury in GWG while his SHG that night vaulted him into a tie for 3rd all-time in Fury SHG with 10.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the Fury score the game's FG, they are perfect with a mark of 17(17-0-0). When leading after the first period, they are 20(19-1-0). When leading entering the third period, 21(21-0-0). In games following a loss this season, the Fury are undefeated at 5(5-0-0). The Fury's league-high 11-SHG already eclipse last year's output of 10-SHG. The Fury continue to dominate as the UHL's best third period team, outscoring their opposition, 59-26 overall and 34-12 on the road. Dating back to last season, when the Fury score 4 or more in a single game, they are undefeated in the last 64-games; 64(62-0-2).
THE FURY SEND SIX STARS: Muskegon will be represented by six members of their organization at the UHL's annual All-Star Classic, Wednesday, January 25th in St. Charles, Missouri, the home of the Missouri River Otters. Head coach Todd Nelson will guide the squad and he will be joined by defenseman Dave Van Drunen, centers Jeff Nelson and Todd Robinson, left wing David Wrigley and right wing Robin Bouchard. The Fury will broadcast the All-Star Game on their exclusive radio flagship, WKLQ-FM 92.5 and on the Internet at www.furyhockey.com.
THE WRAP ON THE WEEK: The Fury collected a pair of triumphs in as many appearances for the week with both verdicts claimed on home ice against Central Division opposition. In a special "Education Day" Tuesday morning affair, the Fury dispatched Flint, 8-3, erupting for 4-second period goals to fracture a 1-1 tie. Robin Bouchard (2-2-4), Jeff Nelson (1-3-4) and Ryan Keller (1-3-4) spurred the spree with Bill Zalba (1-1-2) Jason Lawmaster (1-1-2(GWG), Rustyn Dolyny and Dave Van Drunen (TBG) also making connection. David Wrigley assisted twice and Kevin LaPointe earned the win in goal. Friday night, the Fury fused a 3-goal powder keg in 2:17 early in the third period to vanquish Motor City, 6-3. Dolyny essayed 3-goals (2-TBG/SHG/GWG) with Keller (1-1-2)FG, Trevor Johnson (1-1-2) and Jon Insana caging singles. Clayton Pool earned the win in goal.
THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH MOTOR CITY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
The sixth clash of the campaign and the fifth one to be staged in Muskegon. The Fury lead the series, (3-2-0), posting a 4(2-2-0) mark on home ice. Muskegon halted a span of two straight home setbacks inflicted by the Mechanics the past Friday night with a 6-3 decision. Muskegon's lifetime record against the Fraser-based club stands at 12(9-3-0) and 7(5-2-0) in Walker Arena.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21ST THE FURY AT KALAMAZOO 7:30 PM
The fifth collision for the season against the top teams in the Central Division and the third consecutively to be hosted by the Wings. The series is stalemated at 4(2-2-0) with each team authoring marks of 2(1-1-0) both home and away. In the last clash, New Year's Eve before a SRO crowd of 5,291 at Wings Stadium, the Fury prevailed with some late scoring dramatics and heroics from Jason Lawmaster in a 2-1 triumph.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND THE FURY AT FLINT 4:00 PM
The Fury make their first trip to Flint for this season following two earlier bouts staged in Muskegon. The Fury lead the series 2(2-0-0), outscoring the Generals, 14-5 in the process. Muskegon has won 7-consecutive games against Flint dating back to last season.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 15, 2006
- Mechanics fall in shootout, 3-2 - Motor City Mechanics
- Mallards put a halt to Hogs' unbeaten streak - Rockford IceHogs
- Fury winning streak at seven and counting - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Trio loaned to Milwaukee, Boeser activated - Rockford IceHogs
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