Jacks Open 50th Season
October 18, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
JACKS TRACKS: Embarking on their gala 50th Anniversary Season as minor pro hockey's fourth longest operating franchise in both the U.S. and Canada, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have inaugurated the season displaying much promise, potential and prominence. Under the direction of head coach Rich Kromm, the Lumber-jacks divided their two weekend inaugurals by falling short Friday night at Flint, 3-1, before bouncing back in resounding fashion in their own home opening night extravaganza Saturday night in a 9-3 convincing conquest at the expense of Bloomington. Through their initial 2-games of the campaign, the 'Jacks have assembled a record of 2(1-1-0) for 2-points in the standings. Muskegon's home opening 4-game homestand continues this week with 2-more Walker Arena appearances on the docket. This Friday night, they will contest for the first time against the fledgling Dayton Gems club while Sunday, it will be last spring's Turner Cup playoffs rekindled as the 'Jacks clash with Port Huron.
IT'S ANOTHER BIG WEEKEND: This Friday night, the Lumberjacks will honor one of Muskegon's all-time greats and member of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame, Jock Callander. On that night, Callander's famous Lumberjacks #15 jersey will be retired in special center ice ceremonies. The slick center remains as the IHL's all-time greatest point-scoring impresario. Also, in this 50th Anniversary Season, at every Friday night home game, it will "$1 beer night. Then on Sunday, it will be another "$5 Sunday at 5" when the Lumberjacks tackle Port Huron. All seats, as will be the case for all Sundays this season as last season, will be specially priced for only $5.
THE BEGIN THE BEGUINE: With their 2(1-1-0) inception to the season, the 'Jacks are 1(1-0-0) at home and 1(0-1-0) abroad. Last year, after the first 2-games, both played on home ice, Muskegon's mark was 2(2-0-0), outscoring the opposition, 8-5. Last October, the Lumberjacks posted a mark of 4(3-1-0); at home: 2(2-0-0); road: 2(1-1-0).
HOMEBOUND SOUND: On opening night Saturday night, the Lumberjacks laced Bloomington, 9-3. Dating back to last season, it was Muskegon's 8th win in its last 9-starts at Walker Arena. They are now 12(10-2-0) in the last dozen dates. In 2008-09, the 'Jacks achieved the circuit's supreme record at home at 38(24-11-3) with those 24-victories being foremost in the IHL. Last year, the 'Jacks launched their home slate with a 7-game win streak; 7(7-0-0). By the end of the season, it still stood as their longest home win skein of the year.
FOREIGN ICE DICEY: Though they capped last campaign with a winning record abroad at 38(19-15-4), the Lumberjacks actually stumbled and staggered across the foreign ice finish line last season. Including the playoffs and their 3-1 setback this past Friday night at Flint, Muskegon is currently mired in a 6-game skid away from home bay; last 6(0-6-0). Their last suc-cessful invasion into alien territory was back on April 16th of this calendar year in Game #1 of the Turner Cup Semi-Finals when they ambushed favored Port Huron, 5-4. In their last 12-decisions on the road, they are 12(1-11-0). Nevertheless, Muskegon has not incurred a losing season away since the 1996-97 season.
TO SCORE/TO NOT TO SCORE: Through the league's inaugural weekend, the Lumberjacks fashioned some potent offense blended with some denying defense. In the 2-outings, Coach Kromm's kinetic contingent connected on 10-strikes for a GFA of a mighty 5.00. Defensively, improvement was considerable as the GA yield was 6 with one of those finding the empty net. Last season, Muskegon was bullish on the attack with a league-high 315-GF for a GFA of 4.15. It was the defensive side where the team seemed susceptible, surrendering the second most GA in the IHL for a GAA of an uncharacteristically munificent 3.92.
TRIFECTA TRIO TRIUMVIRATE: In their Saturday night 9-3 throttling of Bloomington, the #3 seemed to be the number of the night for the hometown team. The Lumberjacks notched 3-goals in each of the 3-periods. They scored 3-PPG, 3- four-on-four goals and 3-full and equal strength goals. Their top line trio of Todd Robinson, John DiPace and Robin Bouchard each gained a +3 rating. On the other side of the ledger, the Lumberjacks allotted 3-GA in period 3 against the Prairie Thunder with those 3-GA coming in a rapid fire fashion of :29.
PLAY MAKE CAKE: Eleven-year veteran center Todd Robinson is, once again, off to his customary blazing start. In 2-games on opening weekend, he artistically crafted 5-points on 1-goal, 4-assists with a +2 rating and 4-SOG. Friday night at Flint, he accounted for his team's sole goal of the GTG variety on an electrifying breakaway foray. Then on Saturday, he assumed his rightful position as playmaker extraordinaire on a snappy and snazzy 4-assists, being named the game's #1 Star. The league's two-time scoring titlist and MVP is back on top of the league scoring derby after the first week. "T. Rob" is the Lumberjacks nomination for IHL Player of the Week.
PROTECT THE NET: The Lumberjacks new netminder, Sebastien Centomo continues to be stout, stingy and stellar in his team's goal. Seeing exclusive service in both games the past weekend, the former CHL Goaltender of the Year was solid, surrendering only 5-GA for a GAA of 2.50 with an attached SPCT of .914 and 2(1-1-0) record. Centomo is the Lumberjacks nomination for IHL Goaltender of the Week.
ROOKIE RAVE: First year defenseman Matt Krug has announced his pro presence on the 'Jacks backline with an auspicious premiere. In his team's dismissal of Bloomington, the Southfield, MI native emerged as a spirited sparkplug, delivering 4-points including his first-ever pro goal. The Wayne State U. and Robert Morris U. collegiate product was hailed and heralded the #2 Star in the contest. Krug currently resides as the league's loftiest scoring defenseman; 2(1-3-4). He is the Lumberjacks nomination for IHL Rookie of the Week.
THE COUNTDOWN IS MARKED DOWN!!: "The Gun-Sling King," right wing Robin Bouchard has activated the count-down leading to pro hockey all-time immortality. Saturday night, "Bouch Almighty" uncorked 2-more cannons to reduce his magic number to 36. Presently at 647-goals and counting, Muskegon's all-time career scoring cannoneer has cast his shooting eye at 683-goals which would make him the greatest goal-scoring king in minor pro hockey history.
"THE JOHNNY 'D' SHOW 'N'GO": Versatile left wing John DiPace is off to a strong and stellar start. Saturday night, he engineered 1-goal, 2-assists, 3-points with his goal being the game's FG which fused his team's 3-goal opening period siege in 4:16 and set the tone and tempo for Muskegon's marooning of the Thunder. Last season, the Clinton Township, MI native finished 6th in IHL scoring with a career year on (37-45-82), finishing 5th in the league in goal cannonading.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 18, 2009
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