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Lumberjacks Eye Top IHL Prize

March 23, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


*ALL LUMBERJACKS GAME BROADCASTS ON WWKR-FM 94.1, "WEST MICHIGAN'S 94 K-ROCK"*

LUMBERJACKS LINES: The past week truly represented a renaissance for the Lumberjacks as they came off the floor from being humbled through their longest losing streak of the season at 4 in a row to complete a virtual about face. Under the direction of third year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Lumberjacks were at the top of their collective game in collecting 7 of a possible 8-points through a rigorous regimen of 4-games in 6-days. For the week, the men of "Lumbertown," compiled an unblemished week on a record of 4(3-0-1). In the process, they renewed their will with skill in not only fortifying their grip on third place in the IHL standings but also inch ever so closer to the two teams in the league; namely first place Port Huron and second place Fort Wayne. With 3-weeks and 11-more games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Lumberjacks have elevated their record to 65(38-20-7) totaling 83-points. They have gradually inched to within 4-points of league-leading Port Huron 66(39-18-9) 87-points with 1-game in hand on the Icehawks who are 5(3-0-2) in their last 5-games and 19(11-2-6) in the last 19-outings. On foreign ice, Port Huron has been utterly brilliant with a mark of 22(15-2-5) in its last 22-adventures abroad. Muskegon trails second place Fort Wayne 66(37-17-12) 86 points, by 3-points with 1-game in hand on the meteoric Komets who have extended their long undefeated streak to 9-games; 9(8-0-1). The Fort Wayners are a sterling 13(11-1-1) in their last 13-decisions with their lone loss in that span inflicted by the ‘Jacks in Muskegon back on March 6th. Moreover, the defending league kingpins are 22(15-2-5) in the last 22-games; 30(19-3-8) in their last 30-outings. In alien territory, the K's have been nearly indomitable , winning 6-in succession while going 17(13-1-3) in the last 17-endeavors away from home. Muskegon has maintained a 6-points advantage over 4th place Kalamazoo 67(38-28-1) 77-points with 2-games in hand on the Wings who have won 3-consecutively. Only 4-points distinguish the top three teams in the IHL as we head into the homestretch before the advent of the IHL Turner Cup Playoffs, commencing in mid-April. This week, the ‘Jacks confront the daunting docket of 4-games in 5-nights with three of those bouts against nagging nemesis Bloomington. Muskegon will venture to the Central Illinois hamlet Wednesday and Saturday nights of this week with their two home appearances at Walker Arena set for Friday night against Kalamazoo and Sunday when it's another "$5 Sunday at 5" as the ‘Jacks lock horns, again, with the Prairie Thunder.

$5 SUNDAY AT 5"ALIVE!: Coming up this Sunday, March 29th when the Lumberjacks play host to the upstart Bloomington Prairie Thunder at Walker Arena, Muskegon, it will be another ever-popular "$5 Sunday at 5" for all of the fans. Every seat for everyone will be specially-priced for only $5.

SWEET SLEEK WEEK: The past week, the Lumberjacks rebounded masterfully by assembling a sparkling 4(3-0-1) mark for the week and collecting 7 of a possible 8-points in the IHL standings. For the season, the ‘Jacks record now stands at 65(38-20-7) for 83-points. Their win percentage is a supreme .638. Their 38-victories represent 3-more wins than all of last year 76(35-35-6)76-points. In addition, the ‘Jacks 83-points are 7-more than they garnered all of last campaign. Thus far, in the second half of the season, the ‘Jacks have been bedazzling and dynamic with a mark of 27(16-7-4) 36-points. Since the beginning of the new calendar year of 2009, the ‘Jacks, again, have been prospering with a record 38(23-10-5) 51-points. The longest win streak of the season has been 6-in a row; 6(6-0-0). The best unsullied skein has been 8-straight; 8(6-0-2). The longest losing spell of the current campaign has been 4-consecu-tively. The monthly report card: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 11(4-6-1); January 14(9-3-2); February 14(9-3-2); March 10(5-4-1)

HOMESTEAD STOKED: The past weekend, faced with a 2-game homestand weekend against Flint and Port Huron respectively, the ‘Jacks rallied to the cause in claiming 5-0 and 3-2 (OTSO) verdicts. In so doing, they scotched and otherwise scuttled the stigma, anomaly and ignominy of their third 2-game home losing spell of the current campaign. For the season, Muskegon reigns supreme with the league's premiere home mark of 34(21-10-3) with their 21-triumphs being the most in the loop and 3-more wins that they attained all of last season. At home last 7-games; 7(5-2-0); last 13 at home; 13(8-4-1). After launching the season with a stellar 7-game home win streak at 7(7-0-0), the Muskegon home record for this hour of the season is 27(14-10-3).

ROAD RAID ESCAPADE: During the recent week's game agenda comprised of 4-games in 6-days, the Lumber-jacks visited archrival Kalamazoo on two occasions, extracting 3 of 4-points from Wings Stadium by way of a 7-4 triumph Tuesday night followed by a 4-5 OTSO outcome Sunday evening in Kalamazoo. For the season, the ‘Jacks road record is an enviable one at a glossy 31(17-10-4). Their 17-road victories equal all of last year with 3-more weeks remaining before the playoffs. In their last 4-games away, the ‘Jacks are 4(1-2-1); last 14(9-4-1). Longest road win skein of the season has been 6-in a row; 6(6-0-0); longest composite unbeaten streak abroad at 8(7-0-1). Only twice this season has Muskegon sustained back-to-back defeats on the road.

STRAIN OF HIGH OCTANE: The past week, in posting a 4(3-0-1) record and earning 7 of a possible 8-points in the IHL standings, the Lumberjacks high-tech, high-octane, high-voltage attack produced a highly-productive 16-GF for a GFA of 4.00. Since all the way back to opening night on October 18th, the ‘Jacks have maintained the top spot in the goal cannonading category, scoring 263-GF for a GFA of a healthy 4.05. Muskegon has scored 4 or more goals in nearly 70% of all of its games. Meanwhile, defensively, the Lumberjacks displayed a new attitude which translates into fewer GA. In 4-games with Clayton Pool in goal, Muskegon grudgingly surrendered 11-GA for a GAA of a vastly enriched 2.71 for the week.

STAR-STEPPING: Despite being marked absent for the final 3-games of his team's workload work week, center Todd Robinson 61(23-80-103) still maintains a commanding 16-points lead over Bloomington center Jon Booras for his second league-wide scoring title. John DiPace 63(31-36-67) has climbed to 7th; Luke Stauffacher 59(35-30-65) is 10th and Robin Bouchard 36(33-22-55) has risen to #16 on the elite list. Stauffacher (35) is 3rd in the loop in goal productivity; Bouchard (33) is 5th; DiPace (31) 6th. Robinson tops the loop in assists with 80; 24-more than the next in line. "T. Rob" also enjoys a wide-margin in PP/Assists with 31. Chad Woollard (16) leads the league in PPG with Bouchard listed 3rd with 13-PPG. Stauffacher's 6-GWG tie him for #2 in the IHL. Bouchard 33/160; .206 leads the league in shooting percentage with Stauffacher running a close 2nd at 35/173; .202. Steven Later (288) leads the IHL in PIM; John DiPace (207) is tied for 3rd. Later's 44-minors rank as IHL 3rd most; his 16-majors rank 4th. In the rookie category, Chad Costello 63(16-27-43) is 4th in scoring; Adam Bartholomay 54(10-20-30) is tied for 9th; Alec Kirschner 54(5-20-25) is tied for 13th. Costello's 3-GWG tie him for the IHL rookie leadership while his 27-assists also rank rookie 3rd. Costello is also 3rd in shooting percentage 16/108; .148. Adam Bartholomay's +17 rating ranks rookie runner-up. On the defense, Matt Gens 63(9-39-48) is #2 in the IHL; Darryl McArthur 65(7-35-42) is #3; Shaun Fisher 64(6-28-34) is tied for circuit 7th; Adam Bartholomay 54(10-20-30) is tied for 11th; Steven Later 52(5-20-25) is tied for 13th and Dan Boeser 41(6-17-23) ranks 15th. Gens (39) is 2nd and McArthur (35) is 3rd in assists while Gens (17) and McArthur (17) are tied for 2nd among IHL defense in PP/Assists. In the seal of good goalkeeping category, Clayton Pool ranks 4th in the league with a GAA of 3.20. His SPCT of .912 is #2 in the league. Pool's 2-shutouts tie him for circuit 2nd. Pool boasts the IHL's best winning percentage among IHL goalkeepers with a mark of 33(21-7-5) for a win percentile of .712.

SKY LOW LUKE JUKE: Five year pro Luke Stauffacher enjoyed a banner week both offensively and defensively for his resurgent ‘Jacks. Transplanted to center for the final 3-games in as many days the past weekend due to the injury that befell Todd Robinson, "Cool Hand Luke Little" made the transition as smooth as silk for a man of his ilk. For the week, in 4-games, he engineered 6-points on 4-goals, 2-assists with 10-PIM, 13-SOG and a stellar +5 rating. Named the #2 Star Friday night in his team's 5-0 defeat of Flint, he generated and percolated 3-points, including a pair of goals which included the FG/WG and SHG. The next night, for a second consecutive night Stauffacher stashed a pair of strikes with both being key, touch in the clutch GTG that prolonged matters to the OTSO where the ‘Jacks ultimately prevailed over league-leading Port Huron. In his last 11-games; 11(10-4-14). He leads the IHL in multiple goals games with 11 and "hat tricks" with 4. Stauffacher is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.

PROTECT THE NET: Five year standout goaltender Clayton Pool demonstrated durability and stability in the Lumberjacks cage the past week. Seeing service in every minute in every game the past week, "The Puck Professor" was at the top of his goalkeeping "magnifico" in posting an undefeated 4(3-0-1) mark for the week. Included in his week of bountiful accomplishments was his second shutout of the season Friday night when he was anointed the game's #1 Star with a 35-saves enormous performance. It was Pool's 11th career shutout, ranking #1 all-time in Muskegon hockey annals. For the week, the former U. of Alberta standout fashioned a 4(3-0-1) mark with a miserly, microscopic 2.39 GAA and a SPCT of a scintillating .935. Fourth in the IHL in victories with 21, Pool is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

"BART" BRUSHING UP: Forward / defenseman Adam Bartholomay continues to carve-out his Lumberjacks niche in a rather unheralded, unsung but very effective fashion. The former standout at U. Nebraska-Omaha of the CCHA enjoyed another outstanding week of contributions to the betterment of the overall constitution of his ‘Jacks team. In 4-games, he essayed 3-points on 1-goal, 2-assists with 12-PIM, 7-SOG and excellent +4 rating. For the season, his sound and solid +16 rating ties him with Darryl McArthur for the best on the Lumberjacks club. Bartholomay is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.

"WOOLY" WIRED: High-scoring goal-scoring impresario Chad Woollard has returned to the Lumberjacks lineup with a vengeance. On the shelf for some 22-games, the 10-year pro has announced his second coming in a most resonating fashion. Through his first 7-games back, he has attained an impressive 7-games' point streak in which he has engineered 11-points on 7-goals, 4-assists. For the past 4-games week, Woollard authored 7-points on 3-goals, 4-assists with 16-SOG and solid +4 rating. In his last 22-games; 22(22-11-33) with 7-multiple goal games and 4-GWG.

THE BILLY "C" KEY: Six year Muskegon center Billy Collins enjoyed a masterful of goal-scoring productivity and milestone making for the Muskegon ages. The former Wayne State star fired 3-goals in 4-games including his 100th Muskegon pro career goal Friday night, a SHG, in the ‘Jacks 5-0 dismissal of Flint. Then on Sunday in Kalamazoo, the unassuming centerman sizzled a pair of strikes in the 5-4 OTSO affair at Wings Stadium. For the week, Collins was 4(3-0-3) with an excellent +4 rating for the week.

GENS DEFENDS: Defenseman Matt Gens has emerged as one of the ultra, premiere defensemen in the IHL. The former St. Cloud State star always logs a seemingly infinite amount of ice time. While his strong suit is being offensive-minded, he never takes time off from his primary responsibilities of goal prevention attention. Offensively, for the past week, Gens collected 4-assists in 4-games; 4(0-4-4) with a +3 rating. In his last 6-games; 6(0-6-6); in his last 26-games; 26(4-20-24).

STEVEN STEPS UP: The IHL's most penalized player, defenseman Steven Later has been enjoying his best stretch of the season at this juncture of the long campaign and journey. The strapping Lumberjacks rock-ribbed, ruffian rearguard generated plenty of offense for his team in its stellar 4(3-0-1) week. The former WHL star from the Brandon Wheat Kings authored 5-points in 4-games on 1-goal, 4-assists and superb +7 rating. His +4 rating in Friday night's 5-0 shutout victory over Flint equaled the second best turned in by any Lumberjacks' player thus far this campaign in a single game,

THE FRANCOPHONE ZONE: Right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard saved his best for last the past week in the Lumberjacks resurgence. Sunday in Kalamazoo "The Gun-Sling King" was integral and instrumental on all 4 Lumberjacks goals, uncorking a pair of cannons and assisting on 2-more for a "Bouchardian" brilliant 4-points performance. For the week, he was 4(2-3-5) with a +1 rating. For the season, he is averaging nearly one goal a game with 33-snipes in 36-games. With 55-points in those 36-games, "Bouch Almighty" is averaging a prolific 1.53 points per game since his latest return to Muskegon.

SPECIAL TEAMS TREATMENT: Muskegon's power play continues to be the best of the rest in the IHL. For the campaign, it is 69-307 for a proficiency rating of 22.5% Their 69-PPG are 1-shy of Fort Wayne total output of 70. The ‘Jacks power play is 2 for the last 4; 50%; 4-14; 28.6%; 12 for the last 47; 25.6%. The penalty-killing ensemble cast is ranked 5th in the IHL with the opposition at 67-311 for an efficiency rating of 78.5%. The opponents are 4 for the last 12; 9 for the last 28; 12 for the last 34. Muskegon has notched 8-SHG while allotting 8-SHGA.

MILESTONES MARKINGS: With his 2-goals Sunday at Kalamazoo, Robin Bouchard has amassed 636- pro career goals which lists him 6th all-time in that department. Billy Collins 100th Muskegon career goal was a SHG in Friday night's 5-0 carnage of Flint. With his 4-goals the past weekend, Luke Stauffacher also has attained the century goal total in his 5-year pro career doing it as well the past weekend. Clayton Pool's 5-0 shutout triumph Friday night on home ice against Flint was his second of the season and the 11th of his Muskegon pro career, ranking him #1 all-time in this category.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In overtime thus far this season, the Lumberjacks are 7(4-3-0) with all 4-victories coming on the road and the latter three of those coming consecutively. Defenseman Darryl McArthur is the lone Lumberjacks player to play in all 65-games so far this season. Robin Bouchard has scored 2-OT/GWG and 2-OTSO/GWG. The Lumberjacks continue to thrive on Sunday this year as they are 10(7-2-1) overall and 7(5-1-1) on the road. Muskegon has scored its most goals this season in the second period with 94. Only first place Port Huron (300) has enjoyed fewer power plays than have the ‘Jacks at 307; yet the two teams rank 1st (Muskegon) and second (Port Huron) in league-wide power play prowess this season.

RECAP WRAP: Faced with the daunting and demanding schedule of 4-games in 6-days the past week, the ‘Jacks responded favorably by garnering 7 of a possible 8-points through an unsullied mark of 4(3-0-1). Last Tuesday night on St. Patrick's and Green Ice Night at Kalamazoo's Wings Stadium, the Lumberjacks dominated the home team, 7-4. Erupting for 4-1st period goals, the ‘Jacks received goals from Chad Woollard (2-1-3)FG/PPG; Steven Later (1-1-2)PPG; Chad Costello (1-1-2); Adam Bartholomay (1-1-2)ENG, Dan Boeser (1-1-2) and Alec Kirschner. Todd Robinson, Matt Gens, Darryl McArthur, and Shaun Fisher each assisted twice. Clayton Pool made 41-saves in the Muskegon goal. Friday night in an impeccable masterpiece, the Lumberjacks shutout Flint, 5-0.Luke Stauffacher (2-1-3)FG/GWG sparked the victors; Billy Collins also connected as did Chad Costello, John DiPace and Chad Woollard. Pool posted the shutout with 35-saves. Saturday night, in playoff personified hockey, the Lumberjacks overcame first place Port Huron, 3-2 (SO). Stauffacher connected on a pair of GTG with the second one protracting matters to, first, OT, and then, to the OTSO. Robin Bouchard served up the lone goal in the extra session with Pool rebuffing all 3-Icehawks shots. Sunday in Kalamazoo, the ‘Jacks could not cling to their 4-2 late second period lead and settled for one more precious point in the standings in a 5-4 OTSO affair. Bouchard (2-2-4)2-PPG/GTG spearheaded the ‘Jacks attack with Billy Collins also connecting twice (FG/TBG). Chad Woollard had 2-assists. Pool was in goal and repelled 29-shots.

THE LUMBERJACKS UPCOMING GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

These two teams will collide three times this week with the first two in Bloomington and the latter one here in Muskegon. The Lumberjacks are winless in their last 5-outings against the fifth place Prairie Thunder which have lost 4-in a row. At home Bloomington has lost 3-consecutively. However, the Prairie Thunder have been of the cactus style for the ‘Jacks who are winless in their last 5-dates against the third-year franchise; last 5(0-3-2); at home 3(0-2-1).

FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH KALAMAZOO AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

The Lumberjacks and the Wings will face-off for the 14th time this season with the ‘Jacks on top in the series at 13(8-3-2). On home ice thus far this season, the Lumberjacks are unblemished at 6(5-0-1) and dating back to last season on home ice, Muskegon has a 9-games' undefeated streak at 9(8-0-1) against the Wings.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 23, 2009


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