League-Leading Lumberjacks Enjoy Yet Another Winning Week
November 30, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
LUMBERJACKS LINES: The International Hockey League's most revered, feared premiere cannoneers, the first place Muskegon Lumberjacks the past week demonstrated defensive dominance as well in earning 4-more precious points in the league standings by virtue of a 3(2-1-0) record. Under the direction of third-year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the "Icers" of Muskegon pro hockey fame and fortune have maintained their magical mastery atop the league standings through a record of 16(11-4-1) totaling 23-points and an excellent winning percentage of .719. For the Thanksgiving holiday week's activities consisting of 3-games in 3-nights, the league's most prolific offensive arsenal was limited to scoring 7-GF, but at the same time, displaying their best defensive posture and prowess of the campaign, also limited the opposition to a scant 7-GA. Muskegon will launch its 11-games' December schedule having established a 3-points' advantage at the circuit's supreme summit, though a mere 4-points distinguish the top 4-teams in the alliance. The Lumberjacks commence the new week with a 3-points' lead over second place Kalamazoo 17(10-7-0) 20-points and Port Huron 19(10-9-0) 20-points with one game in hand on the Wings and 3-games in hand on the Icehawks. Kalamazoo saw its IHL season's best 8-game win streak rendered asunder Saturday night at Bloom-ington while Port Huron halted a 3-game losing spell with a home success Saturday at the expense of archrival Flint. "The Ramsay Rendition" leads fourth place and reigning league titlist Fort Wayne 16(9-6-1) 19-points by 4-points with the Komets somewhat stagnant, having posted a 7(2-4-1) mark through the past 7-games. This week, the 'Jacks continue their stretch of 4-consecutive games against those top three invaders seeking to usurp the Muskegonites eminent domain and divine province. In their most momentous and monumental weekend so far this season, the Lumberjacks will host Port Huron on Friday night for the annual, ever-popular "Teddy Bear Toss" before archenemy Kalamazoo touches down in our town downtown Saturday night as the 'Jacks and the Wings rekindle rancor rivalry.
TOP TIMBER TEAM: After the first 16-games of the 2008-09 IHL season, the Lumberjacks are thriving with a superb record of 16(11-4-1) for 23-points. Though they had their 4-game unblemished streak 4(3-0-1) severed Friday night by visiting Bloomington, the 'Jacks made swift and quick amends the following night on the road at Fort Wayne by way of a 3-1 victory. Muskegon is 6(4-1-1) in the last 6-decisions; last 11(8-2-1). The 'Jacks top the league in victories with 11 while their 4-setbacks are the least in the league. The longest win streak of the season has been 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0) and 3-consecutively 3(3-0-0). Their longest undefeated skein is also at 4(3-0-1). Remarkably, the Lumberjacks have yet to sustain back-to-backs defeats all the way into this hour of the current campaign. The monthly numbers are in for the home town team; October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1). Much progress has been realized from the Muskegon on-ice product of one year ago. At that time in '07, the Muskegon sextet had compiled a composite of 16(8-7-1) for 17-points. So, presently, this newly monikered aggregation nation has garnered 3-more wins, has 3-fewer defeats and 6-more points than a year ago.
SEVEN SEVERED: This past Friday night, two opposite matters occurred and were incurred by the league-leading Lumberjacks. Launching the campaign with a brilliant 7-game win streak at the "friendly confines," and riding the crest of an impressive 5(5-0-0) win streak record on the aforementioned Friday day of the week, the 'Jacks were humbled in a rather sobering scenario by foreign ice interloper Bloomington, 5-1. Nevertheless, their 7-game home ice victory skein stands alone as the best of the rest in the IHL as does their T.G.I.F.end of the work week date. The "home improvement" is a far cry from last year's home "groan-moan" as after the initial 8-dates, Muskegon was less than exemplary with an 8(2-6-0) log. This year, Muskegon has gathered 5-more wins, 5-less losses, adding up to 10-more points in the standings.
PERVADING INVADING: The Lumberjacks continue to exude the skill and will to win away from home bay. In their lone foreign ice affair for the holiday week, they traveled to Fort Wayne, and for the second time in as many treks there this season surmounted the shortfall and overcame the K's, 3-1. It was the Lakeshore's "fave-rave" pucksters third successive verdict in as many meetings thus far this season at the expense of the crowned kingpins Komets; 3(3-0-0). For the season and for the record, the 'Jacks have exceeded the .500 barrier in foreign ice warfare at 8(4-3-1). Ironically, only Fort Wayne has a superior record in alien ice invasions at 8(5-3-0). The longest road win streak has been 2-in a row; 2(2-0-0).
THEY LEAD IT: Todd Robinson 16(10-26-36) remains atop the IHL scoring derby with linemates Like Stauffacher 16(13-8-21) 9th and Henry Kuster 16(9-10-19) tied for 12th. Rookie Maxime Lincourt 16(8-9-17) is 17th; Frank Little-john 16(10-5-15) and Chad Woollard 13(7-8-15) ranked 25th among the IHL's top scoring elite. Stauffacher's 13-goals tie him for the league-leadership while Robinson's 26-assists are foremost. Robinson is 2nd in power play/assists with 9. Stauffacher's 3-GWG lead the loop with Robinson (2) and Littlejohn (2) sharing the top spot in SHG. Stauffacher is rated 5th in goal-scoring shooting percentage at 13/50; .260. Lincourt (+11), Kyle Kos (+11) and Darryl McArthur (+10) are tied for #3 and #4 in the league for the best plus for us. Lincourt 16(8-9-17) is tied for the top spot in IHL Rookie Scoring with Adam Bartholomay 15(3-7-10) ranked 6th, Chad Costello 16(4-5-9) 7th and Alec Kirschner 15(2-5-7) listed 8th. Costello's 2-GWG lead all rookies with Lincourt's 8-goals and 9-assists sharing top distinction in this category. Lincourt (+11) and Bartholomay (+10) are 2-3 in rookie plus action. As far as the defensive leaders are concerned, Darryl McArthur 16(4-10-14) is #2 in scoring, Matt Gens 16(1-10-11) is 6th, Bartholomay 15(3-7-10) is 7th. McArthur's 5-PP/Assists rank 4th ; his 4-goals rank tied for 2nd. Gens (10) and McArthur (10) are 4th in assists by the blue line brigade. Steven Later's 47-PIM rank 3rd most. Kos (+11) is the IHL's best plus defenseman with McArthur (+10) 2nd and Bartholomay (+9) ranked 3rd. In the seal of good goalkeeping department, Isaac Reichmuth leads the league with 10-victories and for best record 13(10-3-0) while his 14-GPI tie for the league-lead and his 3.90 GFA ranks circuit 6th.
19 AT THE SCENE: All-Star center Todd Robinson continues his singular assault in his breakaway bid for record-breaking and history-making. This past week, he crafted 4-more points in 3-games; 3(1-3-4) with 8-SOG and +2 rating. Included in his weekly output were two multiple point games, increasing his number to 11 through the first 16-games of the season. Muskegon's second all-time leading scoring svengali is 7(1-14-15) in his last 7-games. For November, he was absolutely extraordinary, amassing an astronomical 29-points in 12-games for an average of 2.42 points per game; 12(5-24-29) with 33-SOG, +6 rating, his 600th career assist , one 5-game point streak, one 4-game point streak, three 4-assists performances, 7-multiple assist games and 9 of his 12-November games being multi-point productions. Robinson is the Lumberjacks nomination for both Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week and Player of the Month.
GOAL PATROL SOUL: Three-year pro goaltender Isaac Reichmuth may be back on the high beams for his first place team. The past week, the former U. of Minnesota-Duluth standout was at the top of his game in registering a record of 3(2-1-0). Both of his victories came when he allowed a scant 1-GA in the form of 3-1 triumphs over Port Huron on Thanksgiving night and at Fort Wayne on Saturday evening. For the week, he essayed a frugal 2.15 GAA and outstanding .937 SPCT. He was hailed the #2 Star Thursday night against the Icehawks and the #1 Star Saturday night at Fort Wayne. For November, he saw service in 10 of his team's 12-games posting a stellar record of 9(7-2-0) while attaining a personal 6-game win streak for the month. Accounting for 10 of his club's first 11-victories this season, Reichmuth is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.
THE "KIRSCH" THIRST: Rookie RW / LW Alec Kirschner is beginning to show signs and signals that he might be coming into his own in his first-ever pro "gig" here in Muskegon. The UConn product attained another sound and solid week of playing the game with a lot of dash, flash and panache with strong hint of bash. In the 'Jacks stirring comeback counterattack triumph in the third period Saturday night at Fort Wayne, he helped fuse the league-leaders 3-goal rally with a pair of persistent, persevering, hard-working assists on the TBG/GWG by Bill Bagron and the all-important IG struck by Maxime Lincourt to cinch and clinch the affair, 3-1. He also earned a sparkling +2 rating. With 4(2-2-4) in his last 4-games, Kirschner is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.
CENTER "COURT:" Rookie center Maxime Lincourt continues his development as one of the truly premiere rookies in the IHL this season. For November, he averaged over a point a game with 12(6-7-13), along with 29-SOG and splendid +8 rating. During the month concluded, he rang-up 8-straight plus games (+11), a 7-game point streak; 7(4-5-9) and 3-game goal streak; 3(3-0-3). That November +8 rating was #3 on the Lumberjacks club. Lincourt is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Month for November.
BILLY "BAGS" ONE: One of the later entries in this 2008-09 IHL season has been center / left wing Bill Bagron, a first year pro from U. Nebraska-Omaha. After acting the role of playmaker extraordinaire expressly to the tune of 6-assists in his first 8-games on board with the Lumberjacks, Bagron stole the show with is first-ever pro goal. His strike late in the night Saturday night in Fort Wayne, shattered a 1-1 tie and vaulted the 'Jacks into their first lead of the night in an eventual 3-1 conquest of the K's. His first ever pro career goal was the ultimate GWG.
INROADS IN TIME: Though their IHL #2 rated power plant power play wore the straight jacket in an 0 for the last 14 slump-funk, the Lumberjacks once maligned penalty-killing cast of characters has been resuscitated and rejuvena-ted. The shorthand band was in tune to the tune of disarming and defusing all 15-man advantages afforded the adversary for the 3-games in 3-nights week. For the season, the Muskegon power play is #2 in the loop at 13-72 for 18.1% proficiency. The 72-advantages are 20-fewer than all other teams in the IHL. The PK team has improved its rating to a much more respectable and commendable 80% at 68-85; ranked 5th in the league. The 'Jacks also have been shorthanded fewer times than all others. Muskegon's 4-SHG equal Fort Wayne for the league's top spot; the Jacks have gained the distinction of being the only team in the IHL to not surrender a SHGA.
HALLOWED HISTORY: Head Coach Bruce Ramsay (95) is 5-wins away from becoming only the third coach in this modern era of Muskegon pro hockey to reach 100-victories. Defenseman Matt Gens played in his 200th pro career game Thanksgiving night against Port Huron. Kyle Kos (495) is 5-games away from career 500. Matt Gens (95) is 5-points away from100. Frank Littlejohn (445) is 5-points from 450 pro style. Henry Kuster (492) is 8-points away from the career 500.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The defending champions Fort Wayne Komets represent the lone team that the 'Jacks have not lost to so far this season. When Muskegon defeated Port Huron Thanksgiving night, 3-1, it ran Muskegon's home ice unbeaten streak against the Icehawks to 5(4-0-1). With the win at Fort Wayne, the 'Jacks celebrated their first road win on Saturday night this year; they were 3(0-3-0) in that category. The 'Jacks are the IHL's best 2nd period team, outscoring the opposition, 28-14 overall and 17-7 at home. Muskegon's best period abroad is the third, outscoring the home standing squad, 18-11. The 'Jacks are 4(4-0-0) when they score a SHG and 5(5-0-0) when they deliver a "hat trick."
HOLIDAY REPLAY: Facing the daunting task of 3-games in 3-nights wrapped around Thanksgiving, the 'Jacks responded with an excellent 3(2-1-0) mark. Thanksgiving night at home, they dismissed Port Huron, 3-1, rallying with 2-second stanza strikes stoked to overcome a 1-0 deficit. Todd Robinson (1-1-2)GTG, Henry Kuster (1-1-2)PPG/IG and Frank Littlejohn (TBG/GWG) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen. Isaac Reichmuth claimed the victory with 33-saves. Friday night at home, the 'Jacks digested a disappointing defeat, trembling to Bloomington, 5-1. Darryl McArthur made connection on the 'Jacks sole goal as Muskegon has been outscored, 10-1 since burying the Prairie Thunder in an amped-up avalanche one week earlier when the home team raced into a 9-0 lead. Saturday night at Fort Wayne, the league-leaders made amends and atoned for the Friday fiasco, upending the Komets, 3-1. A 3-goal third period rally beginning just :57 after the Fort Wayners had scored the game's FG told the tale of the tape for the victors. Littlejohn (GTG), Bill Bagron (TBG/GWG) and Maxime Lincourt (IG) were the sharpshooters. Robinson and Alec Kirschner each assisted twice and Reichmuth was divine in goal, rebuking 27-shots.
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH PORT HURON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
For the second time in barely over a one week's span the 'Jacks and the Icehawks will choose their battle weapons. Muskegon leads the season series, 3(2-1-0), following a 3-1 triumph on Thanksgiving night, also on home ice. Muskegon is 6(4-1-1) in their last 6-overall decisions against the Port Huron club.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH KALAMAZOO AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
For the third time as well, these two teams lock antlers with the series equalized at 2(1-1-0). Home ice advantage has been paramount to ultimate success with the 'Jacks prevailing back on October 24th, 4-2 before being humbled one week later, November 1st at Wings Stadium, 9-5. The Wings recently completed the league's best win streak thus far this season at 8-in succession.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 30, 2008
- League-Leading Lumberjacks Enjoy Yet Another Winning Week - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Lumberjacks Weekly Notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
