Lumberjacks Complete Sweep Of Week

Published on January 18, 2010 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


`JACKS TRACKS: The Lumberjacks have completed the first-half of their 76-games' regular season schedule with a kinetic crescendo. Having completed the sweep of their 3-games in 3-nights week, Muskegon has majestically surged into sole possession of first place in the IHL standings with a sparkling record of 38(26-9-3) totaling 55-points and a 2-points advantage over second place Port Huron 37(25-9-3) 53-points and a 7-points lead over torrid, molten-lava hot Fort Wayne 36(23-11-2) 48-points. Under the direction of head coach Rich Kromm, the Muskegonites catapulted over Port Huron on Sunday with an 8-goals' gushing geyser in defeating the Icehawks, 8-4 and effectively halt the latter's 11-game win streak at home, spanning over 2-months. Meanwhile, the two-time reigning league kingpins from Fort Wayne have caught lightning in the bottle, again, as it seems to be their time of the season, having won 6-games in a row and stretching their overall unbeaten streak to 9(8-0-1). The Komets also hold the potential luxury of 2-games in hand on the league-leading Lumberjacks. This week, the Lumberjacks face 3-games in 4-nights with the initial pair on home ice at Walker Arena before they sojourn abroad for a re-scheduled contest at Flint next Monday night. This Friday night, Muskegon will host Fort Wayne in a titanic tussle featuring the two most torrid teams in the league at this stage of the season. Saturday night, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder come calling to challenge the league-leading men of Muskegon. Next Monday night, January 25th, the Lumberjacks travel to Flint where they will lock horns with the Generals in the re-scheduled game of November 25th at the Perani Arena.

PROMOTING PREMIUMS: In this 50th Anniversary Season of pro hockey in Muskegon, the Lumberjacks continue to present some major prime premiums. This Friday night, when the `Jacks play host to Fort Wayne, Muskegon Lumberjacks all-time great Dave Michayluk will have his famous #27 jersey retired in special pre-game ceremonies. His will be the 9th jersey officially retired to the hallowed hall of the Walker Wall of Fame. Michayluk still holds the all-time IHL record for regular season goals with 547. It is also "$1 Beer Night." Saturday night, when the Bloomington Prairie Thunder come to town, it will "Credit Union Night." Once again, at every home game this season, all area youth, 17 and under get their seats for only $5 as presented by the Lumberjacks and Muskegon Community College.

RECORD RED GLARE: Confronting the daunting assignment of 3-games in 3-nights, culminated by the showdown for first place, the kinetic Kromm contingent responded redoubtably with 3-consecutive conquests in as many contests to catapult into sole control of the IHL's premiere pinnacle position. In the process, they swelled their latest win streak to 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0) while winning 6 of the last 7-starts; 7(6-1-0). For the season, the Muskegon icers have compiled a composite record of a sterling 38(26-9-3) for 55-points. Their 26-victories are league-foremost while their 9-setbacks equal second place Port Huron for league-least. In the last 32-games, the `Jacks are a brilliant 32(23-6-3). The longest win streak of the season is 9-in succession; longest overall unblemished skein; 10(9-0-1). Longest losing streak of the season has been only 2-in a row with it occurring only once thus far. The monthly accounting; October 6(3-3-0); November 12(9-1-2); December 12(8-3-1); January 8(6-2-0).

HOME HALLOWED GROUND: In claiming a pair of conquests the past weekend on home ice, Friday night, 3-2 OTSO against Quad City and 3-2 in come back fashion Saturday night against Dayton, the Lumberjacks not only capped a sweep of their 3-game home stand but also advanced their win streak on home ice to 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0). During that 4-game home win skein, the `Jacks have been dominating, outscoring the vexed visitors, 15-4. For the season, Muskegon has achieved the IHL's second best home mark of 20(16-4-0) with their 16-triumphs the top total in the loop. The longest home win streak of the season has been 8-straight; 8(8-0-0).

TRAVEL TRUMP: On Sunday, when the `Jacks journeyed to Port Huron to vanquish the Icehawks, 8-4 and ascend to the IHL's top spot, they improved their season foreign ice log to a league best 18(10-5-3) with their 5-defeats being the least in the league. The longest road win streak is 5-in succession; the longest overall unbeaten streak is 11(8-0-3) with both those accomplishments being the best of the rest in the league.

STELLAR & STINGY: Offensively, lately, the Lumberjacks have been radiating; especially including their 8-goals' pre-dominance of the Icehawks in Port Huron on Sunday. They are a very close circuit second in goal-cannoneering with 134-GF in 38-games for a GFA of a mighty 3.53. Their 8-goals' output Sunday marked the second time accomplishing that feat with both times coming on the last 2-Sundays. During their current 4-game win streak, the Lumberjacks have outscored the adversary, 22-8. In the meantime, Muskegon has sustained in GA defense mastery, ranking third best in the league with a GAA of an avarice 2.79.

ATOP APLOMB: The top two remain the same as it has been all year; 1- Robin Bouchard 38(32-29-61); 2- Todd Robinson 37(15-41-56); 11- John DiPace 20(10-22-32); 21- Matt Krug 38(8-17-25). In Goals: 1- Bouchard (32); 6- Robinson (15); In Assists: 1- Robinson (41); 2- Bouchard (29). In PPG: 1- Bouchard (9); In PP/Assists: 1- Robinson (15); In GWG: 1-Bouchard (6); In MG: 1- Bouchard (9); In SOG: 1- Bouchard (166); In Plus/Minus: 1- DiPace (+26); 2- Bouchard (+25); 3- Robinson (+24). In PIM: 2- Russ Smith (149); 4- Krug (128). In Minors: 1- Smith (31); 3- Krug (24). In Rookie Scoring; 3- Krug 38(8-17-25); 11-Matt Robertson 38(7-10-17); 13- J.T. Dahlinger 37(6-9-15); In Defense Scoring; 3- Krug (8-17-25); 8- Smith 37(4-11-15); 13- Adam Welch 30(4-8-12); Tom Galvin 23(4-8-12). Krug's 8-goals lead all defensemen. In the Goaltending Department; 3-Sebastien Centomo (2.53 GAA) 5- Matt Lundin (2.64 GAA). Centomo tops the IHL in WINS: 16; GPI (29); STARTS (28); MIN:(1,541:40); 5th SPCT: (.909). Lundin has the best winning percentage in the IHL at 13(10-2-1),.809.

THE BICEK JET: Western Michigan U. product Brian Bicek is growing into this Muskegon 50th Anniversary Season with much improvement and meaning in his overall performance. The past weekend's 3-victories' sweep featured the second year centerman at the top of his game. For the winning week, he was 3(2-4-6) with 9-SOG and stellar +4 rating. In his club's Saturday night comeback from a 2-0 deficit to overcome Dayton, Bicek fused the crescendo with the first strike stoked in the counterattack. Then on Sunday in the showdown for first place in Port Huron the diminutive but dynamic pivot maestroed a brilliant 5-points' masterpiece on 1-goal, 4-assists in his team's 8-4 dispatching of the `Hawks. It was the IHL's third 5-point game of the season. He was acclaimed the #2 Star in Saturday night's triumph and the #3 Star in Sunday's extraction of victory from Port Huron. Bicek is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Player of the Week.

THE CENTOMO BROMO: Nine-year pro Sebastien Centomo continues to make his mark in his debut season in Muske-gon. The former Toronto Maple Leafs human puck detour was there, again, when it mattered most. In Friday night's thrilling 3-2 OTSO success over Quad City, he was named the #2 Star in repelling 18 of 20-shots in regulation and 3 of 4-more in the OTSO. It was Centomo's 10th win in 13-decisions at home. Sunday night, in his team's 8-4 thumping of Port Huron, the former CHL Goaltender of the Year rebuked 35 of 39-shots to raise his road record to 12(6-4-2) Centomo is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

ROOKIE "ROBBIE" ROLLS: First year left wing Matt Robertson must have felt that he would never, again, score another goal in Muskegon, let alone, professionally. However, that all changed in Sunday night's impressive 8-4 domination of Port Huron in the showdown for first place. It was a career night for the WHL product as he propelled his first-ever 3-goal "hat trick" as a pro while adding a 4th point on an assist. Named the game's #1 Star, he completed his week's work with 5-points in 3-games on 3(3-2-5) with +1 rating and 8-SOG. Robertson is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Rookie of the Week.

"SURM'S SERVING: Veteran center Damian Surma is rounding into form superbly for the league-leaders as the Detroit native enjoyed another solid week of point-production activity. Engineering scoring points in all 3-victories the past weekend, as he was 3(2-2-4). His goals were momentous and monumental for Muskegon. In Friday night's OTSO triumph over visiting Quad City, 3-2, he struck with the GTG. On Saturday night, he fired the TBG/GWG in the third period to cap the comeback as his club eradicated a 2-0 deficit and surmounted Dayton, 3-2. He was adjudicated the #3 Star in the victory. Surma is currently on a 4-game point streak; 4(4-3-7); in his last 8-games; 8(5-7-12).

ACCORDIN' TO JORDAN: Defenseman Jordan Little has come to Muskegon bent on making this his championship season. The former Kalamazoo Wing has emerged as the embodiment of the Lumberjacks blue line. The consummate defensive defenseman is 11(0-1-1)with 9-PIM and 10-SOG. In Sunday's takeover of first place at Port Huron, Little achieved his best overall effort and performance in earning a brilliant +3 rating.

BEAUS FLOWS: Veteran high-scoring right wing Michel Beausoleil has stepped into the Lumberjacks lineup and injected some much-needed, immediate offense for the first place team. Seeing action in the final 2-games of the past weekend, the 9-year pro was star-studded as he fired 3-goals and added 1-assist for 4-points and +2 rating. Included in his goal output was the key, touch-in-the-clutch GTG at :51 mark of the third period Saturday night as the `Jacks rallied from a 2-0 shortfall to ultimately prevail over upstart Dayton. He was feted as the game's #1 Star. One night later, in his team's bushwhacking of the Icehawks at his former haunt of Port Huron, "Mike" connected on a pair of PPG and a single assist for a crafty 3-points night's performance. Beausoleil is averaging a point a game in his initial 5-games with the `Jacks; 5(3-2-5) and excellent +3 rating.

SPECIALTY TEAMS TUNED: The Lumberjacks are receiving some excellent production from both of their special teams. In the power play department, the home team has risen to 3rd overall at 33-170 for a proficiency rating of 19.4%. In recent vintage; they are percolating to the tune of 4 for the last 12; 33.3%; 8 for the last 25; 32.1% and 9 for the last 28 for a mark of 32.0%. The penalty-killing team is not to be overlooked, having climbed to #3 in the loop operating at 81.2%. Muskegon has refuted 30 of the last 32 for a mark of a remarkable 90.4%.

MILESTONES WITH MEANING: Center Brian Bicek played in his 100th pro game in his team's 3-2 OTSO triumph over Quad City. Defenseman Adam Welch's next game will be the 100th of his pro hockey career. Michel Beausoleil (493) is 7-points away from pro career 500. Todd Robinson (980) is 20-points away from all-time pro career best 1,000- points. Robin Bouchard (1,364) is 36-points away from pro career 1,400-points. "Bouch Almighty" is 24-goals away from the magic number of 683 which would make him the greatest goal-scoring legend ever in minor pro hockey history.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The Lumberjacks have unleashed 8-goal barrages on consecutive Sundays; 8-0 over Flint 1/10 and Port Huron, 8-4 on 1/17. When the `Jacks ambushed the Icehawks Sunday in Port Huron, 8-4, they halted the `Hawks 11-game win streak at home as they inflicted the home team with its first defeat in over 2-months since another Lumberjacks victory there back on Nov. 11th, 5-3. Two of Port Huron's 3-home losses this season have been inflicted by Muskegon. Todd Robinson is currently on a 6-game point streak; 6(2-8-10). With their 3-2 OTSO triumph Friday night against Quad City, the `Jacks posted their third straight OTSO win and their first at home this season. The Lumberjacks third period come back victory Saturday night over Dayton represented their league-high 4th win in that fateful final frame.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Two of the more torrid teams in the league lock antlers with the series balanced at 6(3-3-0). Muskegon is 3(2-1-0) at home and 3(1-2-0) on the road. The two-time defending kingpins Komets have won 6-in a row and are unblemished in 9-straight; 9(8-0-1).

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23RD BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Muskegon has mastered the Bloomington club through the first 4-meetings this season with a perfect personified record of 4(4-0-0). They are 2(2-0-0) on home ice against the Prairie Thunder who are 15(3-8-4) on the road thus far this season. Beginning with this game, the Lumberjacks will collide with Bloomington in 4 of their next 6-games.

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 leads the season 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 came by way of the shutout with both of those on home ice at Walker Arena.

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.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 18, 2010


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