League-Leading Fury Sweep the Week
Published on January 11, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
FURY FINDINGS: The molten-lava hot Muskegon Fury completed yet another unblemished and otherwise unbeaten week in the United Hockey League the past week. By sweeping both of their weekend encounters on home ice against in-conference Western Conference rivals Missouri and Kalamazoo, the "Furious Ones" have grown their latest winning streak to 3-in succession while advancing their overall undefeated streak to a season's best 9-consecutively at 9(8-0-1). Under the doctrine according to head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury have further fortified their grip on first place in the Western Conference standings as well in the overall UHL banner chase and race. Still two games hence-forth from the halfway point of the league's 76-game schedule, the men of the Fury have compiled a superlative record of 36(25-9-2) totaling 52-points, improving their leadership atop the conference alliance to 7-points over reigning league champion, second-place Fort Wayne 35(21-11-3)45-points with the Komets having one game in hand. Fort Wayne is also excelling at this stage of the season through a 4-game unbeaten streak at 4(3-0-1); they are 20(14-4-2) over their past 20-games. As far as the overall standings are concerned, the Fury have built a 9-point advantage over Eastern Conference front-running Flint 36(20-13-3)43-points with the Generals 3(1-2-0) in the initial 3-games of a 7-game road expedition. Flint is in the midst of playing 15 of 17-games abroad. The Fury have 40-games remaining on their schedule with 21-more at home and 19-more on the road. This is All-Star Week in the UHL and a momentous week as well for the top team Fury. With three games on the docket, Muskegon will broach the week with a pair of pilgrimages abroad. They will launch the week's work with a Wednesday night assignment at Rockford before traveling to Fort Wayne Friday night for the opening game of a crucial two-game home-and-home series against the Komets. The Fury's lone home game for the week will be an encore presentation as the Fury reciprocate by guesting the Fort Wayners Saturday night at home at Walker Arena. The UHL All-Star game will cap the week Sunday night in Fort Wayne. The Fury will broadcast the All-Star Game Sunday night, beginning at 7:00 pm on flagship WEFG-FM 97.5, "Kickin' Country 97.5."
THE CIRCUIT SUMMIT: Through the first 36-games of the current campaign, the first-place Fury have fashioned a supreme record of 36(25-9-2) 52-points and a stellar .722 winning percentile. Their 25-victories are the most in the UHL and represent 4-more victories than any other team in the league. Their 9-defeats are two fewer than all other member clubs. Their latest win streak has swelled to 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0). The Fury's overall unsullied skein has reached an extraordinary 9-in a row at 9(8-0-1). Muskegon's last taste of the bitter brine of defeat was back on December 26th in Missouri and a 4-2 result. In their last 13-games, the Fury are flourishing at 13(10-1-2); last 21-games; 21(16-3-2); last 23(17-4-2). The longest win streak of the campaign has been 5-in a row, a feat accomplished twice. The Fury are presently on their third 3-game win streak of the first-half of the season. The longest losing spell has been 2-in a row which has been incurred on two occasions. After 36-games last season, the Fury record was 36(18-14-4) 40-points. The Fury present pace is 7-wins and 12-points superior to last year. The monthly marks: January 5(4-0-1); December 13(9-3-1); November 14(9-5-0); October 4(3-1-0). Since Christmas, the record is 10(8-1-1).
HOMESTEAD STOUT: In claiming conquests in both of their home contests the past weekend, the league-leading Fury elevated their Walker Arena scorecard to the UHL's best record at 17(12-3-2). Their 12-home victories are second most in the league and their 3-home setbacks are the least in the UHL. Muskegon's latest undefeated streak at home has progressed to 7-in succession at 7(5-0-2). Their last loss at home was back on December 19th to Quad City, 7-5. The Fury are actually 12(9-1-2) in their last dozen dates in town, downtown. The longest win streak at home has been 4-in a row. The current win streak is now at 3-straight and counting. The Fury recently concluded a 4-game home stand unblemished at 4(3-0-1). One year ago, after 17-home dates, the Fury record was 17(11-4-2)24. The Fury are 1-win and 2-points ahead of lat year's home composite.
ROAD REVELRY CAVALRY: The show on the road has played to rave notices, rave reviews and critical, kinetic acclaim. "The Knights of Nelson" have engineered the league's foremost foreign ice mark at 19(13-6-0)26-points. Their 13-road successes tie them for the most in the league with Quad City 22(13-8-1)27. Muskegon has the second fewest road setbacks at 6. They are currently riding the rising tidal wave of a 4-game win streak which matches their longest of the season. Last loss abroad was back on December 26th in Missouri. The Fury are actually 6(5-1-0) in their last 6-dates in the den of the enemy and 10(8-2-0) in the last 10-adventures abroad. Their 13-road wins are just one shy of duplicating all of last season with 14; 38(14-20-4). One year ago, abroad, the Fury record stood at 19(7-10-2)16. The Fury are 6-wins and 10-points ahead of last year's clip.
CONFERENCE-CONTESTING: Against their own Western Conference, and still two games from reaching the midway point of the season, the Fury have already equaled their entire number of wins from all of last season. This season against the Western Conference, the Fury have attained a sterling record of 25(18-6-1)37. All of last season, they were a rather mundane and ordinary 42(18-19-5)41. Muskegon has achieved a winning record against all in-conference comers this year. At home: 13(9-3-1); on the road: 12(9-3-0). The breakdown: Fort Wayne 3(3-0-0); Rockford 6(4-1-1); Kalamazoo 5(4-1-0); Missouri 6(4-2-0); Quad City 5(3-2-0). In the Eastern Conference, the Fury mark is 11(7-3-1)15; at home: 4(3-0-1); on the road: 7(4-3-0). The breakdown: Columbus 3(3-0-0); Flint 3(2-0-1); Adirondack 2(2-0-0); Port Huron 1(0-1-0); Richmond 2(0-2-0). Elmira is the lone team that the Fury have yet to play thus far this season.
CONSTELLATION NATION: The Fury will boast of a league-high seven representatives in their delegation for the UHL All-Star nation. Head Coach Todd Nelson will be behind the bench to guide the Western Conference All-Stars in Fort Wayne and he will be well-supported from 6 of his own Fury luminaries; including defensemen Scott Feasby and Trevor Johnson; center Todd Robinson; left wings Brant Blackned and Dave Noel-Bernier and right wing Robin Bouchard. The UHL All-Star Classic is set for this Sunday night at 7:30 pm and can be heard live on the Fury flagship WEFG-FM 97.5, "Kickin' Country 97.5" beginning at 7:00 pm.
THE GF AND GA PLAY: Once again, this week, the Fury are the most potent offensive aggregation in the UHL nation. The league-leaders have accounted for 149-GF for a GFA of a prolific 4.14. The Fury have generated 27-more goals than any other team in the league. The Fury have scored 3 or more goals in 32 of their 36-games thus far this season. They have scored 4 or more goals in 23 of their first 36-outings. During their present tense 9-game unbeaten skein; 9(8-0-1) they have connected on 41-GF for a GFA of 4.56. At home, the Fury have fired 71-strikes in 17-games for a GFA of 4.18. When on the road, the Fury have produced 78-GF in 19-games for a GFA of 4.10. On the opposite side of the ledger, the Fury are demonstrating considerable upgrading in goal-prevention attention. In fact, in their last 3-games, they have grudgingly surrendered a microscopic 4-GA for a GAA of a frugal 1.33. Muskegon has soared to 6th best in the UHL with a season-long GAA of an evaporating 3.19.
TOP BILLING ACTS FACTS: The Fury sport 3 of the top 4 and 4 of the top 7 in the UHL league-wide scoring derby. Robin Bouchard 36(30-28-58) is 1st, Todd Robinson 36(7-43-50) is 3rd, Brant Blackned 36(19-29-48) is 4th and Scott Hollis 36(24-20-44) ranks 7th. Bouchard's 30-goals lead the league and are 5-more than all others while Hollis' 24-strikes rank a lofty 3rd best in the loop. Robinson's 43-assists lead the UHL and are 8-more than all others in the league. Blackned's 29-helpers rank him 4th. Bouchard (13) and Blackned (11) are 1st and 2nd respectively in PPG. Hollis' 5-GWG tie him for the league-leadership with Bouchard right behind with 4. The Fury also have the top 3 in PP/Points with Blackned (26), Robinson (24) and Bouchard (24). Robinson's 23 PP/assists are foremost and 7-more than all others while Blackned ranks 3rd in this category with 15. Bouchard leads the UHL in SOG with 189. Scott Feasby's +20 rating is #1 in the UHL with Dave Noel-Bernier's +16 rating 6th best overall and the best overall among all UHL rookies. Noel-Bernier is the UHL's leading scoring rookie 33(13-19-32) with his 13-goals, 19-assists and 2-SHG also leading this year's freshmen class. Noel-Bernier's 75-SOG are 3rd most and his 13/75, 17.3% shooting per-centage both rank as #3 among the first year players. Trevor Johnson's 23-minor penalties are 2nd most among the rookies and his 7-PP/assists also rank as #2 in the league. Garry Toor 20(5-12-17) is 13th in UHL scoring among defensemen with his 5/43, 11.6% shooting percentage ranked circuit 2nd among the blue line brigade. In the goaltending department, Sylvain Daigle continues to dominate. His 22-victories are 5-more than all other goalkeepers. Daigle also leads the league in GPI: 32; MIN: 1807; SAVES: 908; he is 2nd in SOW: 4; 2nd in SO / SPCT: .870; 5th in GAA: 2.79; 5th in SPCT: .915.
HOT-SHOT SCOTT SCOURGE: Right wing Scott Hollis turned in another strong and stellar weekend of point producing artistry for the home town team. In 2-games, he registered 4-points on 2-goals, 2-assists, 8-SOG and a +1 rating. He was acclaimed the game's #1 Star Friday night as we was integral and instrumental on all 3 of his club's strikes in a 3-1 subduing of Missouri. That night, he was (1-2-3) delivering the insurance goal. Saturday night, he made connection on the ultimate GWG in a 4-2 conquering of Kalamazoo. In the process, Hollis increased his personal point-scoring streak to 10-games and 18-points for a points per game average of a lusty 1.80. In addition, in his last 17-games, he is 17(16-12-28). The Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week of two weeks ago, is again, the Fury's nomination this week for UHL Player of the Week.
THE SHINE OF THE DIVINE: Ace goaltender Sylvain Daigle recorded yet another masterful week to add to his prodigious portfolio. The Fury's goal-gate guardian flashed his luminous leather larceny to the tune of two more victories in as many nights and a stingy 3-GA combined. Friday night against Missouri, he earned the game's #2 Star as he extinguished the River Otters after the 8:24 mark of the opening period. For the week, he posted a GAA of a thrifty and nifty 1.50 and SPCT of .947. Having been in goal for 32 of his team's 36-games, Daigle has pushed his personal win streak to 7-in a row; 7(7-0-0) with a 2.29 GAA and a .939 SPCT in that span. Recently heralded as the UHL Goaltender of the Month for December, Daigle is the Fury's nomination for UHL Goaltender of the Week, this week.
THE RECORD BY ROCKIN' ROBIN: It was a record-breaking, history-making week for right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard, a week to remember for all-time. The 10-year star-studded pro stoked a pair of strikes that now stand alone for their unprecedented achievement. Friday night at home, he ripped the chords for his 300th career Fury goal, appropriately enough the GWG on the power play. The best was yet to come the next night as the Fury's legendary icon's Roman candle, again on the power play, was the GTG and marked the 13th consecutive game in which he has scored at least one goal--- a brand new all-time UHL record. In that span, the Fury's all-time "Gun-Sling King" has rocketed 17-goals; 13(17-11-28). Ironically, the reigning Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Month for December broke the record that had been set only earlier this season when his former Flint teammate Jim Duhart eclipsed the original standard set by Bouchard, himself, back in the 1997-98 season with Muskegon; (11-games/17-goals).
CAPTAIN KAZOO: Fury left wing Billy Pugliese has returned to the lineup after a significant absence due to injury. When he left that lineup, he had just stroked a magnificent 4-goal "Texas"-sized "hat-trick" in a 5-2 home triumph, December 5th against Kalamazoo. So what does the "Pugs Man" do for his first goal back in the lineup, deliver a key third period goal Saturday night at home, against Kalamazoo in a 4-2 victory verdict. For the season, Pugliese has scored 9-goals of which 7 have been produced in 3-home games against Kalamazoo.
ANTAGONIZE TO GALVANIZE: The Fury's antagonistic center Michal Pinc is finding his niche masterfully in the league-leading Fury's scheme of things. In fact the recently concluded 4-game unsullied home stand seemed to validate his particular presence. In his role for Muskegon, he has notched 4-goals and raised his overall season rating to +3. However, Pinc was especially important during the home stand as he crafted one-half or two of his goals in the last 3-games at Walker Arena with each of them being key TBG (tie-breaking goals).
THE CENTURY CENTURIONS: Having earned the recognition and reputation of being the UHL's most prolific offensive arsenal and armada, somewhat overshadowed has been the Fury's ability to lay down law and order when necessary. Not to be tormented or intimidated the Fury have shown to be quite vigilant in apprehending all trespass-sers and loiterers in their own zone. That's where two of their rugged ruffians take center stage as this past weekend, both left wing David Ambler (128) and defenseman Jason Lawmaster (102) became the first two from the Fury to exceed the century barrier in PIM.
APEX INDEX: The Fury special teams are operating at full and maximum efficiency and proficiency at this hour of the season. The power play remains on top in the UHL at 46-175, 26.3% proficiency with the 46-PPG 4-more than all others. The Muskegon extra man band is 10 for the last 26, 38.5% and 18 for the last 48, 39.0%. The penalty-killing cast has seemingly arrived and has truly thrived. While rising to 9th in the league at 143-180, 79.4%, the Fury shorthand band has foreclosed 16-consecutive enemy man advantages; 16-16; 100%, spanning the last 3-games. Muskegon has produced 6-SHG, 6th most in the league and has surrendered 7-SHGA which ranks 8th in the league.
THE LORE OF LEGENDS: Todd Robinson (227) with his next Fury game will tie Paul Kelly (228) for 9th on the Fury all-time list. Robinson is now only 4-games from tying Brett Seguin (231) for 8th place. Robin Bouchard's 301-Fury career goals are 167-more than any other player in franchise history. Bouchard's 113-PPG are 58-more and his 51-GWG are 32-more than all others in Fury history. His 572-points are 206 more than all others to wear the Fury coat of arms. Sylvain Daigle's 7-game win streak is just 2-away from tying the franchise record of 9-consecutive goaltending wins set twice by Joe Dimaline. Scott Hollis played his 100th game for the Fury Saturday night against Kalamazoo; 100(57-45-102); he has become the 21st player in franchise annals to attain 100-points for Muskegon. Brant Blackned's next point 180(91-108-199) will make him only the 11th player in team history to score 200-points. Scott Feasby 625(50-208-258) is one point away from tying Justin Morrison 253(106-153-259) for 8th place on the Fury all-time career scoring list.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Muskegon has posted a record of 20(18-2-0) when yielding 3-GA or less. The Fury are 17(15-1-1) when delivering the game's FG; they are 13(13-0-0) when leading after the first period and 17(16-0-1) when leading after two periods. The Fury lead the UHL in third period goals with 51. When the Fury score 3-GF or more they are 32(25-5-2); when they score 4 or more, they are 23(18-4-1). With their victory Friday night over Missouri, the Fury have won 6-straight at home against the River Otters and are 11(9-2-0) in the last 11-decisions overall. With their 4-2 triumph Saturday night against Kalamazoo, the Fury have now won 20 0f the last 23-meetings between the two teams; 23(20-3-0).
CAP-UP WRAP-UP: The Fury were a perfect 2(2-0-0) for the week's rather uncharacteristically abbreviated agenda. Friday night at home, the Fury dismissed Missouri, 3-1 on the impetus of a two-goal second period thunderbolt in 1:42. Scott Hollis (1-2-3)IG, Dave Noel-Bernier (1-1-2)FG and Robin Bouchard (PPG/GWG) were Muskegon's major marquee men of marksmanship with Sylvain Daigle brushing aside 20-shots. Saturday night, the Fury rallied from an opening minute 1-0 deficit with 4-consecutive goals to defeat always formidable Kalamazoo, 4-2. Bouchard (GTG-PPG) and Michal Pinc both connected :27 apart in the first stanza to eradicate the early deficit before Hollis and Billy Pugliese caged singletons to cement the success. Newcomer David Brisson served-up 2-assists and Daigle closed the door on 33-shots.
THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH THE FURY AT ROCKFORD 8:00 PM
For these two Western Conference foes, the seventh of 10-bouts for the season and the fourth of six to be staged and waged in Illinois. The Fury lead the series 6(4-1-1) and have extracted triumphs in each of their last two sojourns to the Metro Centre, outscoring the IceHogs, 11-3, in the process. Rockford begins the week 5th in the conference, having posted a home mark of 19(9-9-0). Former Fury defensemen John Glavota and Garry Ricciardi adorn the Rockford roster.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH THE FURY AT FORT WAYNE 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH FORT WAYNE AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
A crucial two-game series for the top two teams in both the Western Conference and overall UHL standings. The Fury have claimed a 3(3-0-0) lead thus far in this season's series and have spirited away triumphs in both of their appear-ances in Indiana. In their last trip to the home of the league champions, the Fury gained a 5-4 victory back on Decem-ber 28th. This Saturday night will mark the Komets first appearance in Muskegon since opening night back on October 24th and a Fury 3-2 verdict.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 11, 2004
- Mallards Romp over IceHogs, 8-2 - Quad City Mallards
- League-Leading Fury Sweep the Week - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Muskegon Fury Notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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