League-Leading Lumberjacks Lusty League-Wide Assault Continues

February 14, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


`JACKS TRACKS: On the impetus of their second consecutive home-and-home weekend series sweep, the torrid, league-leading Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have constructed a considerable cushion atop the league-wide standings with 29-games still remaining in the 76-games' regular season schedule. Under the direction of head coach Rich Kromm, the high-tech, high-powered first place squadron found a way to lay claim to a pair of triumphs over the past weekend against an always relentless rendition of the Dayton Gems. By posting a late, dramatic 3-1 victory verdict in Southern Ohio Friday night, followed by a third period come-from-behind winning decision on home ice Saturday night over the same Gems fledgling club, the "Kromm Crusaders" catapulted their overall season record to an extraordinary 47(34-10-3) totaling 71-points. In the process, they appear to have gained some distance in their persistent pursuit of the 2009-10 IHL Huber Trophy Championship which is symbolic of regular season circuit supremacy, superiority and sovereignty. Since the dawning of the new calendar year, the hometown team has been flourishing as its 17(14-3-0) mark would certainly testify while their season's second half record of a lusty 9(8-1-0) magnifies and amplifies their polished and precision performance at this juncture of the campaign. Beginning this week, the league-leaders schedule becomes significantly more daunting and demanding. Set to face 4-games in 5-days in the form of two home-and-home installments against long-time traditional rivals Quad City and Flint, the Lumberjacks will be on the launching pad for a Wednesday night date on "MCC Student Night" when they tangle truculently with the Mallards before returning the favor by sojourning to Moline, IL for a return bout Friday night. Then on Saturday night, it's the opening of a two game set with Flint. The Generals march into town Saturday night for a Walker Arena appearance before the two teams travel back to Flint for a Sunday matinee feature.

PROMOTION LOCOMOTION: Again, this week, the Lumberjacks organization has planned another action-packed, locked and loaded, fully wracked promotional presentation for their fond following of fans. On Wednesday night, it's another Muskegon Community College Student Night. All MCC Students with student ID will receive their seats for only $5 on this special night. Saturday night, it will be "Goodwill Industries Night," Scout Night and something called "Fic Night" at Walker Arena. Please visit the Lumberjacks website at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com for more information.

RECORD RESONATES: With another weekend home-and-home series sweep accomplished, the first place men of Muskegon pro hockey have heightened their IHL's premiere record to a lustrous 47(34-10-3) for 71-points. Their 34-wins are 5-more than the rest of the IHL while their 10-setbacks are 5-less than the league. Their win percentile is a glistening.755 with the club's latest win streak having matched the second longest of the season at 6-in succession; last 6(6-0-0). The Lumberjacks are a brilliant 13(12-1-0) in their last 13-exercises; last 16(14-2-0); last 30(22-6-2). Since instituting the current campaign with a rather nondescript mark of 6(3-3-0), the Kromm kinetic contingent has assembled a masterful mark of 41(31-7-3). The longest win streak of the season has been 9-in a row; longest unbeaten streak 10(9-0-1). Remarkably, only once thus far this season have the `Jacks incurred back-to-back defeats. The monthly bookkeeping reads: October 6(3-3-0); November 12(9-1-2); December 12(8-3-1); January 13(10-3-0); February 4(4-0-0).

OWN THE HOME ZONE: On the strength of their stirring come back 3-2 triumph Saturday night over Dayton, the Lum-berjacks have ballooned and mushroomed their Walker Arena winning streak to a majestic 10-in a row; last 10(10-0-0). Muskegon has remained unblemished in its home lair since the turning of the calendar to the new year of 2010. In fact, the league-leaders last undoing at home was back on December 26th. The league's longest win skein this season has been 11-in a row as attained by Port Huron with the Muskegon franchise record being 12-in a row established back in the 1996-97 season. For the season, the home record stands at a Muskegon mighty 26(22-4-0) for a win percentage of.846. The `Jacks need only 2-more wins through the last 12-home appearances to duplicate last year's total of 24. Their 22-home wins are 5-more than all of the IHL while the 4-defeats are league-least.

EXCURSION INCURSION: By spiriting away a late, thrilling 3-1 triumph in Dayton Friday night, the `Jacks extended their latest road warrior win streak to 2-in a row; last 4(3-1-0); last 6-dates abroad 6(4-2-0). For the season, the road record rises to a superb 21(12-6-3) for a win percentage of.643. Muskegon has sustained 4-fewer foreign ice setbacks than the rest of the loop. The longest road win streak has been an IHL league high 5-in a row; longest unblemished skein away is a league-best 11(8-0-3).

DENYING DEFENSE: In their weekend sweep of Dayton, the Lumberjacks stingy and stubborn team defense denied the Daytonites to the tune of a minuscule 3-GA in 2-games for a GAA of a frugal 1.50. During their present tense 6-game win streak, the GA allowance has been a mere 12 for a GAA of 2.00. By compiling a 13(12-1-0) mark in the last 13-outings, they have allotted 27-GA for a GAA of 2.08. And, finally, to place a prominent punctuation in the form of a high and huge exclamation point, during their 10-game win streak at home, the first place team has yielded only 15-GA for a GAA of 1.50.

ELITE STREET STARS: The league-leaders also have more than their share of the best of the rest around the IHL thus far this season. It begins with the scoring chase; 1- Robin Bouchard 47(40-34-74); 2- Todd Robinson 46(16-55-71); 11- John DiPace 29(12-27-39). In Goals: 1- Bouchard (40); In Assists: 1- Robinson (55); 4- Bouchard (34). In PPG: 2- Bouchard (10); In PP/Assists: 1- Robinson (23); In GWG: 1- Bouchard (tied) (7); 4- Brian Bicek (4); In GWG/OT/SO: 1- Bouchard (3); Damian Surma (2); In MG: 1- Bouchard (11); In SOG: 1- Bouchard (217); In Plus/Minus: 1- (tied) Bouchard (+26); DiPace (+26); 4- Robinson (+22). In SPCT: 3- Bouchard 40/217;.184. In Minors: 5- Bouchard (26); 5- Krug (26). In Rookie Scor-ing: 3- Matt Krug 47(11-20-31); 8- Matt Robertson 47(9-15-24); 14- J.T. Dahlinger 46(8-11-19). In PPG: 2- (tied) Krug (6); In PP/Assists: 3- Krug (7); In assists: 2- Krug (20); In PIM: 1- Krug (152); 3- Mark Cody (108); In Majors: 3- Krug (12); Cody (12). In Minors: 1- Krug (26). In Plus/Minus: 2- Krug (+19); 3- Dahlinger (+17). In Defense Scoring: 3- Krug 47(11-20-31); 12- Adam Welch 39(5-10-15). In Goals: 1- Krug (11). In Assists: 4- Krug (20) In PPG: 2- Krug (6); In Plus/ Minus: 1- Krug (+19). In Goaltending: 3- Sebastien Centomo GAA: 2.41; 4- Matt Lundin GAA: 2.54. Centomo is #1 in WINS: (21); MIN: 1,816:42; Shutouts: 1- (tied) 3; SPCT: 5th (.914). Lundin is #4 in WINS: (13); #1 OTSO/SPCT (tied) 9/12;.750. Lundin has earned the IHL's best win percentage: 17(13-3-1).794.

MARIO MAGNIFICO: Veteran defenseman Mario Larocque enjoyed a most impressive and auspicious premiering coming-out-party in his first weekend of action with his new team. In his debut, Friday night in Dayton, he fired the TBG/GWG with the francophone flair of thrilling theater with just 3:43 remaining in regulation time in the `Jacks late, dramatic, 3-1 triumph, earning the game's #1 Star and +2 rating. In his home unveiling the next night, he engineered an assist on the GTG which sparked Muskegon's third period 2-goal rally to overcome the Gems in an encore engagement, 3-2. The former NHL Tampa Bay Lightning top draft pick, again, earned a solid +2 rating. For his first week with his new team, he was 2(1-1-2) with an excellent +4 rating. Larocque is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Player of the Week.

MASKED MYSTIC MARVEL MATT: First year goaltender extraordinaire Matt Lundin has been a sound and solid addition and contributor to his Lumberjacks top spot status this season. The past weekend when his tandem mate Sebastien Centomo was felled with injury at the 4:31 mark of the first period Friday night at Dayton, the Mercyhurst College product stepped-in and promptly proceeded to backstop his team to a pair of successes in the span of 24-hours. In the process, he permitted a parsimonious 3-GA for a 1.56 GAA while rebuffing 50 of 53-shots for a SPCT of a stellar.943. He crowned his weekend assignments by being heralded as the game's #2 Star in the `Jacks 3-2 triumph Saturday night at home over the Gems. With his 2(2-0-0) record for the weekend, Lundin is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

ANOTHER MATT MASTER: First year left wing Matt Robertson continues to come of age as his first pro season progresses. The former WHL scoring wizard, again came through when his team needed him to. In Friday night's late, stunning 3-1 win at Dayton, he fired a rocket roman candle at 17:35 of the fateful final frame of the game a mere 1:18 after teammate Mario Larocque had severed the 1-1 tie to seize the lead. The Robertson strike cemented the success before he authored the primary assist on the GTG one night later, once more, in the third period. In his last 11-games, he has collected 12-points on 5-goals, 7-assists. For the past week, he was 2(1-1-2) with 5-SOG and strong +2 rating. For the second consecutive week, Robertson is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Rookie of the Week.

THE "BEAU-BEAU SHOW": Veteran right wing Michel Beausoleil has come to the right spot in his quest for title timber grandeur. The high-voltage goal-scoring sparkplug composed a substantial weekend of performance and preeminence in the weekend prevalence of Dayton. The man who likes "Mike" took center stage Saturday night when he adeptly, adroitly and artfully stashed the TBG/GWG/PPG to cap the club's 2-goal rally in 3:07 to eradicate a 2-1 shortfall and vault the `Jacks into victory lane, 3-2. For his heroics and histrionics, he was hailed the game's #1 Star. For the weekend, he was 2(1-1-2) with 7-SOG and +2 rating. Of his 7-goals, he has connected on 4-PPG, 3-GWG and 1-FG.

THE MACHINE'S SWEET 16: The "Gun-Sling King," right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard's quest with zest to become the best of the rest all-time seems to be staying on time with plenty of positive signs. The franchise famous #32 cannonaded his 40th goal of the season, the game's FG, in the Friday night victory in Dayton. In the process, "Bouch Almighty" closed to within 16-roman candles from "blowing out" the all-time minor pro hockey record of 682 and setting the new standard at 683. With 29-games to become record-breaking and history-making, Bouchard has his bazooka in full load for the awesome and then-some motherlode. His 40-snipes this season are 13-more than the rest of the IHL.

THOUSAND THOU COME: The Muskegon franchise second all-time scoring virtuoso, center Todd Robinson is closing in on his own personal professional prominence. With 2-assists in 2-games the past weekend, including the primary assist on the GWG Saturday night, the club's infamous #19 is a mere 3-points away from attaining the prestigious 1,000-points pro career plateau. With 997-points, "T. Rob" has also achieved the IHL's longest point-scoring streak of the season. He is presently at 15-games and still counting, having delivered 25-points in that span on 3-goals, 22-assists. His 55-assists are 16-more than all of the league.

EXTRA MAN SHORTHAND BAND: The first place team's special teams are staying the steady course at this current hour of the season. The power play unit, long overdue for a major breakthrough came through when it mattered the most as it halted an 0-11 dry spell on Michel Beausoleil's TBG/PPG/GWG in Saturday night's 3-2 come back win over Dayton. The `Jacks PP is 3 for the last 26 for a proficiency rating of 11.5%. In the meantime, the penalty-killing cast continues to excel efficiently. The opposition is 7 for the last 72 for an efficiency rating of an excellent 90.3%.

STAR SAGES PAGES: Todd Robinson (997) is 3-points away from pro career 1,000. In 715-career games, he has amassed an amazing 720-assists. Michel Beausoleil (499) next point will be the 500th of his pro career. Billy Collins (382) is 8-games away from tying Rustyn Dolyny (390) for 6th place on Muskegon's all-time games played list. Recent acquisition Mario Larocque (695) is 5-games from 700 and (98) 2-goals from career 100. Jordan Little (240) is 10-games from 250; Damian Surma (283) is 17-points from 300.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Lumberjacks have now defeated Dayton 6-consecutive times and have earned 7 of a possible 8-points in 4-unstained stops there; 4(3-0-1). Muskegon is the best 1st period team in the IHL, out-goaling the adversaries, 62-25 overall and 35-14 at home. At home, third period, it's the `Jacks 32, visitors 15. They are 22(17-2-3) in 1-goal outcomes and 10(9-1-0) at home. When entering the third period either leading or tied, the `Jacks are undefeated, 32(29-0-3). Robin Bouchard has reached the 40-goal plateau for an amazing 11th time in his illustrious pro career. In his last 92-Lumberjacks games, Bouchard has howitzered 82-goals.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH QUAD CITY AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT QUAD CITY 8:00 PM

The `Jacks and the Mallards have met 6-times this season with the league-leaders on top at 5-1. They are a perfect personified 3(3-0-0) at home and 3(2-1-0) in Moline, IL. Three of the half-dozen offerings have been prolonged to OT or OTSO with the Muskegonites making it a "trifecta" in that department.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH FLINT AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 4:00 PM

Muskegon is currently in the lead in this season series at 7(4-2-1). They are also a perfect 3(3-0-0) on home ice and 4(1-2-1) at the Perani Arena. Beginning the week, the Lumberjacks only loss in their last 13-games occurred in their last session staged with the Generals as they trembled on January 25th in Flint, 4-2.

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 j=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.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 14, 2010


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