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'Jacks News Release 1-25-10

January 24, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


`JACKS TRACKS: The torrid Muskegon Lumberjacks have embarked on the second half of their 76-games' regular season schedule as they culminated the first-half, striking a high winning note. Under the astute auspices of head coach Rich Kromm, the league-leading Lumberjacks completed another sweep of the week consisting of two home games in two nights. With some real thrilling theater attached to their 1-0 shutout verdict Friday night over two-time reigning league kingpin Fort Wayne Friday night, followed by an emphatic 6-3 vanquishing of Bloomington Saturday night, the men in the Muskegon hockey colors have maintained their grip on first place in the IHL Standings through the first 40-games of the season. Two games into their schedule's second half, the Lumberjacks have compiled a season record of 40(28-9-3) totaling 59-points and a slight 2-points' advantage over second place Port Huron 39(27-9-3)57-points. With a sterling mark of 21(16-3-2) in their last 21-outings, the Icehawks do have 1-game in hand on the `Jacks with the 2-teams set to duel, again, this Wednesday night at Muskegon's Walker Arena. One night before that, Port Huron will host Fort Wayne on Tuesday night. The third place Komets, 37(23-12-2)48-points have 3-games in hand on Muskegon and a pair in hand on the Port Huron club. This week, the Lumberjacks face 3-games with the first and last ones away and the middle one the lone one at home. Monday night, the kinetic Kromm contingent sojourns to Flint for the re-scheduled game from the November 25th postponement due to poor ice conditions at Perani Arena. The lone home appearance this week is the aforementioned titanic tussle against Port Huron before the Lumberjacks conclude their January schedule with a date at Bloomington against the Prairie Thunder Saturday night. The latter contest represents the first of 3-consecutive Lumberjacks clashes against the Illinois-based squad.

MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NIGHT: For the Lumberjacks lone home game for this upcoming week, it has been designated as the second of 5 "Muskegon Community College Student Nights" at Walker Arena. When the `Jacks lock antlers in a duel to the death for first place against Port Huron, all MCC Students with student ID will receive tickets for the special price of only $5. The remaining Muskegon Community College Student Nights are; Wed. Feb. 17th, Wed. Feb. 24th and Wed. Mar. 10th.

THE RECORD UNCHECKERED: With 2-more victories in 2-nights the past weekend, the first place Lumberjacks have ballooned and otherwise mushroomed their latest win streak to a supreme 6-in a row, representing their second longest winning streak of the current campaign. Their longest has been 9-consecutively while their longest overall unblemished skein was 10(9-0-1). Having actually prevailed in 8 of their last 9-starts; last 9(8-1-0) the league-leaders have elevated their season record to a superlative 40(28-9-3) for 59-points and winning percentage of.738. Their 28-triumphs are league-foremost while their 9-defeats match second place Port Huron for fewest league-wide. Since launching the current campaign with a rather mundane record of 6(3-3-0), the Lumberjacks, in their last 34-games, have assembled a glowing and gleaming mark of 34(25-6-3). Only once this season have the `Jacks sustained back-to-back defeats. The monthly reports; October 6(3-3-0); November 12(9-1-2); December 12(8-3-1); January 10(8-2-0).

THE FOURTH STREET STRUT: The downtown historical landmark corner of Fourth Street and W. Western Avenue continues to find the first place Lumberjacks strutting their star-studded standing status. In conquering the Komets of Fort Wayne, 1-0 Friday night before dispatching Bloomington, 6-3 Saturday night, the `Jacks have swelled their home ice win streak to 6-in succession; last 6(6-0-0) with their last undoing at Walker Arena incurred back on December 26th. Since then, they have been unsullied on home ice since the genesis of the new calendar year. The longest home ice win streak this season has been 8-straight dates; 8(8-0-0). For the season, the home mark stands at a sparkling 22(18-4-0) with those 18-wins ranked #1 in the loop.

ROAD MISSION MASTERY: Having compiled a road record of 18(10-5-3), the Lumberjacks have not only ingested the least league losses abroad but also have attained the IHL's premiere foreign ice log. The longest road win streak has been an IHL league-high of 5-in a row; their longest undefeated skein away from home bay is also a league-best 11-consecutively; 11(8-0-3).

CLOSE DOWN DEFENSE: During their present tense 6-game win streak, the Lumberjacks have been both stingy and stellar defensively. To amplify, they have grudgingly surrendered a scant 11-GA for a GAA of a miserly 1.83, having achieved shutouts in 3 of those 6-games. As a team, the `Jacks have matched rival Dayton for most shutouts this season with a total of 4-zeroes. In the midst of a 6-game win streak as well at home, the `Jacks have allotted a minuscule 7-GA in that stretch for a GAA of a brilliant 1.17.

TOP SPOT SPECIALS: The first place Lumberjacks, as they have all season long, continue to dominate the lion's share of the league-wide categories. In Scoring: 1-Robin Bouchard 40(34-30-64); 2- Todd Robinson 39(15-44-59); 10- John DiPace 22(11-24-35); 20- Matt Krug 40(9-18-27). In Goals: 1- Bouchard (34); In Assists: 1- Robinson (44); 2- Bouchard (30). In PPG: 1- Bouchard (10); In PP/Assists: 1- Robinson (17); 4- DiPace (10). In GWG: 1- Bouchard (7); In MG: 1- Bouchard (10). In SOG: 1- Bouchard (176); In SPCT: 2- Bouchard 34/176;.193. In Plus/Minus: 1- DiPace (+25); 2- Bouchard (+24); 4- Robinson (+23). In Minors: 1- Russ Smith (35); 3- Krug (25); In PIM: 3- Smith (155); 4- Krug (140). In Rookie Scoring: 2- Krug; 11- Matt Robertson 40(7-11-18); 13- J.T. Dahlinger 39(6-9-15). In Assists: 2- Krug (18); In PPG: 2- Krug (5); In PP/Assists: 3- Krug (6); In SOG: 5- Krug (95). In Minors: 1- Krug (25); In PIM: 1- Krug (140); 3- Mark Cody (94). In Majors: 3- Krug (10). In Plus/Minus: 3- Krug (+17); 4- Dahlinger (+14). In Defense Scoring: 2- Krug 40 (9-18-27); 10- Smith 39(4-11-15); 15- Adam Welch 32(4-8-12); Tom Galvin 25(4-8-12). In Goals; 1- Krug (9); In Assists: 3- Krug (18); In PPG: 2- Krug (5); In GWG 2- Krug (2). In the Goaltending department, 3- Sebastien Centomo GAA: 2.46; 5- Matt Lundin GAA: 2.62. Centomo leads the IHL in WINS: 18; MIN: 1,632:11; Shutouts: 3 (tied); GPI: 30; Starts: 29. Lundin sports the circuit's supreme win percentage with a record of 10-2-1;.809.

"SUR" POINT MEISTER: Slick center Damian Surma is sustaining his sartorial sorcery in the positive point-producing department. The veteran pivot orchestrated another outstanding weekend of polished precision in his club's sweep of two games on home ice. He capped it by being named the game's #2 Star in Saturday night's 6-3 trumping of Bloomington as he engineered a trio of points on 1-goal, 2-assists and +1 rating. In his last 6-games; 6(5-5-10); last 10(6-9-15). The Detroit native has been a real force on his team's upgraded power play, having collected 9-points on 3-goals, 6-assists for the extra man band. Surma is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Player of the Week.

ZERO CENTOMO: Nine-year pro Sebastien Centomo continues to wave his magic wand in the form of his goaltender's paddle as the #1 winning goalkeeper in the IHL. The past week, the Laval, PQ native fashioned his third shutout of the season as he was named the game's #1 Star in the `Jacks 1-0 decision over Fort Wayne on Friday night. Making 30-saves, the backbone backstop pushed his personal win streak to 5-in a row; last 5(5-0-0). For the week, he was 2(2-0-0) with a frugal GAA of 1.51 and SPCT of.951. Centomo, once again, is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE KRUG KILL: First year defenseman Matt Krug continues to impress with pre-eminent, prominent, precocious performance. The suburban Detroit native enjoyed another assertive week on the team's defense. He delivered the lone goal and GWG on the power play in Friday night's 1-0 victory verdict over red-hot Fort Wayne, being acclaimed the game's #2 Star. In Saturday night's 6-2 dismissal of visiting Bloomington, he added an assist and healthy +2 rating. For the week, he was 2(1-1-2) with 7-SOG and +2 rating. Krug is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Rookie of the Week.

#32 NEEDS 22!: The "Gun-Sling King," right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is scaling inexorably to the summit supreme of record-breaking, history-making majesty. "Bouch Almighty" fired 2-more lightning-bolt shots Saturday night in his team's domination of Bloomington. In crowning his 3-point performance with his 10th PPG, 7th GWG and 10th MG of the season, the 16-year pro finds himself 22-goals away from becoming the greatest goal-scoring cannoneer in the annals of minor pro hockey. In his last 10-games; 10(10-6-16); he has cannonaded 34-goals in 40-games and needs 22-more with 36-games to reach the magic number of 683 for the record. "Rockin' Robin in the Treetops" is at 661 and counting!!!

THE "T. ROB" RUN: Center Todd Robinson, with his 3-assists in 2-games the past weekend, has advanced his personal point-scoring streak to 8-games; 8(2-11-13). The pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot is the goal-scoring arranger architect. Muskegon's second all-time leading scorer has averaged well over an assist a game in his distinguished career here. In 534-career games, he has been the artisan of an astronomical 568-assists.

THE RETURN OF JOHNNY `D': Indefatigable left wing John DiPace returned to the lineup the past weekend after an 18-games' absence due to injury. The 7-year veteran wasted little or no time in re-assuming his offensive role for the league-leaders. In fact, in Saturday night's 6-3 defeat of Bloomington, he was hailed as the game's #3 Star, authoring 3-points including 1-PPG and a pair of assists. Despite his protracted absence, DiPace still paces the league with a masterful +25 rating.

SPECIAL TEAMS TORRENT: The Lumberjacks power play and penalty-killing teams have been absolutely extraordinary in recent action. The power play is presently 5 for the last 14; 35.7%; 11 for the last 37; 29.8% and 12 for the last 40; 30.0% proficiency rating. Meanwhile, not to be overshadowed has been the shorthand band. The `Jacks have immobilized 19-consecutive manpower advantages afforded the adversary; 19-19; 100%; moreover, they are 31 for the last 32; 96.9% and 41 for the last 43 for an efficiency rating of 95.3%.

MEMENTOS IN MILESTONES: On Friday night, defenseman Adam Welch played in his 100th pro career game. Michel Beausoleil (494) is 6-points away from pro career 500. In his pro career, Todd Robinson, remarkably has amassed 709-assists in 708-games. Robinson (983) is 17-points away from pro career 1,000. Robin Bouchard (1,367) is 33-points away from pro career 1,400. Head Coach Rich Kromm (158) is 2-victories from 160 behind the Muskegon bench.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The `Jacks are the best home ice team in both the first and third periods this season, outscoring the visitors in the first frame, 29-13 and in the third stanza, 26-13. When the `Jacks upended Bloomington Saturday night, 6-3, it represented their 8th straight over the Illinois club dating back to last year. They are 5(5-0-0) against the Thunder thus far this season. Muskegon has outscored Bloomington in the first period this season, 13-2. When the `Jacks wear their home white jerseys this season, they have posted a record of 23(19-3-1). The Lumberjacks have achieved a winning record against every IHL member club so far this season.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK:

MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:30 PM

This is the re-scheduled game from the postponement of November 25th when the ice conditions at Perani Arena were deemed unsatisfactory to play the contest. Muskegon tops the series over the Generals at 6(4-1-1) with a 3(1-1-1) mark in Flint. The last 2-`Jacks victories over Flint have been by way of the shutout with both of those coming on home ice at Walker Arena.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH PORT HURON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

The 9th time the top two teams in the IHL lock horns and the 5th time in Muskegon. On the Lumberjacks side of the ledger, they lead the season series, 8(5-2-1), coming off an 8-4 verdict January 17th at McMorran Place Arena. In Port Huron's last 2-trips to Muskegon, the teams traded shutout wins with the `Jacks prevailing, 3-0 on December 4th before the `Hawks came back with a 1-0 shutout decision on December 13th.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

The sixth session staged for the two squads and the third in the Illinois city where Muskegon is 2(2-0-0) this season and 4(4-0-0) in its last quartet of appearances dating back to last season. The Lumberjacks have defeated the Prairie Thunder 8-consecutive times and are 5(5-0-0) this season. Muskegon's lifetime record in Bloomington stands at 22(14-4-4).

LEGENDS, YOUNG GUNS AND LUMBERJACKS: All the Lumberjacks game broadcasts in the 50th Anniversary Season as well as the Monday Night "Jacks Jam" can be heard on exclusive flagship radio station WLAW 92.5 FM, "THE OUTLAW." The Monday night "Jacks Jam" is every Monday night from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, live from FRICANO'S MUSKEGON LAKE. The "Voice" of the Lumberjacks, Terry Ficorelli has all of the Jacks on radio action. The `Jacks game broadcasts can also be found on the world wide web at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.

THE LUMBERJACKS DAILY UPDATE REPORTS: Tune in every day even when there is not a game, as Terry Ficorelli brings you up to date with the Lumberjacks Hockey Update, Monday through Friday at 5:57 pm on WEFG-FM 97.5, "THE CHAMP." There are also Lumberjacks daily reports throughout the day in Grand Haven on WGHN Radio, "Sports Radio 1370 ESPN."

LUMBERJACKS TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all Lumberjacks home games for the 2009-10 season are on sale at the Walker Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Centers or by phone at (231)726-2400; VISA / MASTERCARD accepted. For great group rates and birthday parties with the Lumberjacks, phone the Lumberjacks office at (231) 726-3879 or visit our website at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com. Once again, all this season at every home game, all youth tickets (17-under) are only $5 as presented by Muskegon Community College.

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