Lumberjacks grab best winning percentage in IHL
November 16, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
LUMBERJACKS LINES: The past weekend, the Lumberjacks posted a 2(1-1-0) mark with both of their contests played abroad as part of a three games' road expedition. In the process, Muskegon has achieved the circuit's best winning percentage after 10-games at a glistening .700 through an overall season record of 10(7-3-0) totaling 14-points. Under the tutelage of third year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the men of Muskegon pro hockey presently share the International Hockey League's premiere pinnacle in a 3-way deadlock with Fort Wayne 11(7-4-0)14-points and torrid Port Huron 12(7-5-0) 14-points. However, Muskegon does have the slight advantage due to having attained the league's premiere mark. Additionally, Muskegon does have 1-game in hand on the Komets, having conquered the K's in each of their initial two clashes of the campaign. The 'Jacks enjoy 2-games in hand on Port Huron which is currently riding the crest of a 5-game win streak with a 7(6-1-0) standing in the last 7-games after launching the season rather inauspiciously through a 4-game losing streak. Completing the current standings in the IHL; Muskegon 10(7-3-0)14; Fort Wayne 11(7-4-0)14; Port Huron 12(7-5-0)14; Bloomington 11(5-6-0)10 and Flint 14(4-8-2)10 are tied for fourth place position with Kalamazoo listed sixth at 10(4-6-0)8-points. This week, the 'Jacks confront 3-games in 3-nights with the first one abroad to conclude a span of 3-consecutive outings in foreign territory and the latter two on home ice at Walker Arena where the Lumberjacks have not performed since November 8th. Muskegon opens a two-games' home-and-home series against archenemy Flint Thursday night in the Eastern side of the state and then Friday night on home ice with the Generals who broach the week winless in their last 4-starts; 4(0-3-1). Saturday night, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder come calling.
DEVOTION TO PROMOTION: When the Lumberjacks return home to the amicable climes and environs of their home of Walker Arena this weekend, they will present a couple of outstanding promotions to capture the imagination of the hockey community in the Muskegon area. Friday night, the Lumberjacks and The Meat Block present the annual ever-popular "Meat Block Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot Night" as all attending fans will have the opportunity to win a Thanksgiving Turkey from "The Meat Block." Then on Saturday night, the Lumberjacks present "Ladies Night Out" with special drawings, prizes and surprises for the ladies. In addition the first 500 ladies through the door will receive a free flower compliments of Flowers by Ray and Sharon.
THE 700 CLUB: Through the initial 10-games of the campaign, the Lumberjacks have attained the IHL's foremost mark at 10(7-3-0) for 14-points and a league-best .700 winning percentage. Muskegon is 5(4-1-0) in its last 5-starts and 7(5-2-0) in the last 7-decisions. The longest win streaks of the season have been 4-in succession; 4(4-0-0) and 2-in a row; 2(2-0-0). The Jacks 7-wins match the most in the league while their 3-setbacks represent the fewest in the IHL. Thus far in November, the 'Jacks record stands at 6(4-2-0); October 4(3-1-0). The home team has yet to sustain back-to-back defeats since the inception of the current season. Muskegon is significantly superior to their pace of last season when it was 10(4-5-1) after 10-games. One year later, the Lumberjacks are 3-wins, 2-fewer losses and 5-points ahead of last year's clip.
LAST ONE WITHOUT ONE: Although not seeing home ice activity the past week, the tied for first place Lumber-jacks 10(7-3-0)14 are the last and lone team circuit standing without a loss on home ice this season with a primo, perfecto 4(4-0-0) composite log. Their 4-home wins equal Port Huron 6(4-2-0) and Bloomington 8(4-4-0). Muskegon has played the least home games in the league and has attained the best home win streak in the IHL this season at 4-in a row. The 'Jacks are sharing such lofty distinction with Port Huron which has also captured 4-consecutive conquests in as many such contests. One year ago after the first 4-home outings, Muskegon was somewhat listless and lackluster with a 4(1-3-0) log. Thus, this Muskegon edition is 3-wins and 6-points superior to last year's home clip.
ROAD MODE MANNER: By dividing their initial two games during the current 3-games' road junket, the Lumber-jacks have remained at the commendable and respectable .500 barrier at 6(3-3-0). When they bowed at Bloomington Saturday night, 6-4, Muskegon's modest 2-game win streak abroad was rendered asunder. In the 2007-08 season, Muskegon also finished the 38-game road schedule on the .500 plateau at 38(17-17-4). One year ago, the Muskegon record on the road was 6(4-1-1) after the first 6-games of the new season.
GOAL GOLD LOAD: Through 10-games, the Lumberjacks continue to be one of the top offensive machines in the IHL, generating 47-goals for a GFA of 4.70 which rates as second most in the league. Muskegon has scored at least 4-GF in all 10 of its games at this juncture of season; an extraordinary testament to its offensive firepower. The 'Jacks have collected 4-GF 4-times; 5-GF 5-times and 6-GF one time. Defensively, however, it's another matter for this "Ramsay Rendition." Only Flint and Bloomington have surrendered more GA than the home town team. The 'Jacks rank 4th in the IHL with a GFA of a rather inflated 4.10' allotting 41-GA in 10-games.
LEADER BOARD BANG!: Center Todd Robinson 10(9-14-23) is still atop the IHL leader board with Luke Stauf-facher 10(6-6-12); Maxime Lincourt 10(5-7-12) and Darryl McArthur 10(2-10-12) all tied for 16th position in the IHL scoring derby. Chad Woollard 9(5-5-10) and Billy Collins 10(3-7-10) complete the Lumberjacks delegation represent-ing the league's top scoring elite. Robinson's 6-PPA tie him for circuit 2nd. Robinson, Stauffacher and Chad Costello each share the league-leadership in GWG with 2. Robinson's 2-SHG lead the league and his 14-assists rank runner-up. The Jacks captain's 9-total goals rank as 4th most and his 9/27; .333 SPCT lists him in 2nd place. Darryl McArthur's +11 rating ties him for #1 in the IHL. In IHL Rookie Scoring, Lincourt 10(5-7-12) is #2 in the loop with Costello 10(4-2-6) climbing to 4th best. Lincourt's 5-goals rank rookie runner-up; Costello's 4-goals rank rookie 5th best. Lincourt's 7-assists also rate as #2 while his +7 rating is rookie best. Among the IHL Defense, McArthur is #2 10(3-9-12); Adam Bartholomay 10(2-3-5) and Matt Gens 10(0-5-5) are tied for 10th. McArthur's 9-assists rank def #2. In the goaltending department, Isaac Reichmuth leads the IHL with the most wins (7) and the best record of 9(7-2-0). He has 3-more wins than any other goalkeeper in the league. Reichmuth also leads the league in GPI: (10); while he is 2nd in MIN: (508) and SAVES: (226).
FRANK THE TANK TOUGH: Veteran right wing Frank Littlejohn took and shook the slumber from his lumber the past weekend, engineering 4-points in 2-games, including a masterful 3-goal "hat trick" performance which sparked and spurred his club to a come-from-behind key, clutch, 5-4 verdict over the Komets in Fort Wayne. The former Adirondack and Elmira supreme catalyst was anointed the game's #1 Star, delivering a natural "hat trick"; SHG/UG/GTG and TBG as Littlejohn singularly expunged a 2-1 'Jacks deficit and catapulted his squad into a 4-2 bulge. Not to be overshadowed was his stellar +4 rating . Saturday night, he garnered 1-assist and +1 rating. For the week, he was 2(3-1-4) with a superb + 5 rating. He is actually +6 in the last 3-games. Littlejohn is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.
BUSY BODY BARRICADE: Three-year goalkeeper Isaac Reichmuth started both of his team's games the past weekend. Friday night, he helped spearhead the Lumberjacks 5-4 triumph in Fort Wayne. He has played in all 10-games for the Jacks with 8-starts in that stretch. Reichmuth is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.
"MAX FACTOR": Talented center Maxime Lincourt remains remarkably consistent and kinetic in his first pro season with the Lumberjacks. The past week, he was 2(0-4-4) with 4-SOG and healthy +4 rating. In Friday night's 5-4 ambush of Fort Wayne, he was hailed the #3 Star with 3-assists and +3 rating before adding one more helper the following night in Bloomington with another premium, positive performance and +1 rating. Lincourt is an outstanding +7 in the 'Jacks last 5-games. Last week's recipient of the Rookie of the Week, Lincourt, once more, gains the nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week for this week.
THE "WOOLY-BULLY BLITZ": Ten-year veteran left wing Chad Woollard is finding his new "digs"and gigs in Muskegon perfect personified. Connecting on a goal in each Lumberjacks' game this past weekend, Woollard has now notched all 5 of his goals through the span of 5-games and in so doing, has extended his point-scoring skein to 6-games; (5-3-8), equaling Henry Kuster for the second longest 'Jacks scoring streak thus far this season. In the Friday night triumph extracted from Fort Wayne, he cannonaded an IHL league-wide high 12-SOG, scoring the game's FG.
KYLE STYLE: Ten-year veteran defenseman Kyle Kos has been a stout, sturdy, staunch stalwart on the Muskegon defense. The blue line mainstay was sound and solid the past weekend, registering a brilliant +4 rating in his club's dispatching of the Komets Friday night in Fort Wayne. Then on Saturday night, at Bloomington, he, again, flashed his badge on the backline apprehending and otherwise reprehending all loiterers and trespassers in his goal patrol act. For the week, Kos earned a sterling +5 rating in just 2-games.
THE "BART" BARK: Second-year defenseman Adam Bartholomay is at the top of his game at this hour of the Lumberjacks campaign. The former U. Nebraska -Omaha standout has been impervious with his defensive effort and expertise. In 2-games the past weekend, he was 2(0-1-1) with a superlative +4 rating. In the 'Jacks last 5-games, Bartholomay has achieved a brilliant +9 rating. He is 5(0-3-3) in that propitious stretch.
UNEVEN STRENGTH: The Lumberjacks power play is gradually gaining ground. In fact, it is rated a lofty second in the circuit, operating at 20.5 proficiency at 9-44. They have enjoyed 10-fewer advantages than any other club in the league. Nevertheless, the power play is percolating at 31.3% in recent vintage at 5 for the last 16. Meanwhile, the shorthand band is scuffling at this stage of the season. Presently ranked 5th in the IHL with an efficiency rating of 77.2% at 44-57. Searching for far more consistency and continuity, the Muskegonites have permitted 12-PPGA in the last 39-advantages afforded the adversary for a mark of 69.2%. Muskegon's 3-SHG tie for 2nd most in the league. The 'Jacks are the lone team not to yield a SHGA thus far this season.
MILESTONES STORY: Todd Robinson (247) is 3-goals shy of pro career 250. Matt Gens (196) is 4-games from career 200. Darryl McArthur's PPG in the first period Saturday night at Bloomington was the 50th of his pro career. Kyle Kos (489) is 11-games away from the career 500. Mike Olynyk (346) is 4-games away from 350. Todd Robinson (590) is 10-assists away from pro career 600. Head Coach Bruce Ramsay (91) is 9-wins shy of his Muskegon 100th.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With the 5-4 triumph Friday night at Fort Wayne, Muskegon snapped its 5-game winless skid in the Indiana city 5(0-4-1) with its first win there since 12/15/07, ironically, also a 5-4 win but in OT. The 'Jacks are perfect in 1-goal games this year at 4(4-0-0). The 'Jacks are also undefeated on Friday nights this season at 4(4-0-0). All 3- of the Jacks setbacks this season have been incurred on Saturday nights 5(2-3-0) with all 3-coming abroad. When the 'Jacks score a SHG they are unblemished at 3(3-0-0). The 'Jacks are a combined 4(4-0-0) against Flint 2(2-0-0) and Fort Wayne 2(2-0-0) and 6(3-3-0) against the rest of the league. Rookie right wing Chad Costello has scored the GWG in each of the 'Jacks last 2-road wins.
WEEKEND REWIND: Facing 2-games in 2-nights with both abroad, the Lumberjacks responded with a 2(1-1-0) mark. Friday night at Fort Wayne, the 'Jacks rallied to overcome the K's, 5-4. Frank Littlejohn essayed a natural 3-goal "hat trick" (SHG/GTG/TBG) while Chad Woollard (FG) and Chad Costello (GWG) caged singletons. Maxime Lincourt orchestrated 3-assists. Fort Wayne outshot Muskegon, 36-25 with Isaac Reichmuth rebuffing 32-shots for the win. Saturday night in Bloomington, the Jacks were profligate of a 2-0 first period lead, meeting their demise, 6-4. Six consecutive Prairie Thunder goals were the tale of the tape for the men from Muskegon. Woollard (1-1-2), Darryl McArther (FG/PPG), Costello and Henry Kuster connected for the 'Jacks with Todd Robinson dishing 2-assists. Bloomington outshot Muskegon 38-17.
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:00 PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST FLINT AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
A two-games' home-and-home series for this week with the Lumberjacks on top in the season series at this hour of the season at 2(2-0-0); a 5-3 comeback triumph in their first trip to Perani Arena back on November 6th followed by a 5-2 vanquishing on home ice, November 8th. Last season, Muskegon was 15(7-7-1) against the Generals who will open this week winless in their last 4-starts 4(0-3-1) and 10(2-6-2) in their last 10-outings.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
The third meeting of the season and the first to be staged in Muskegon. The series is balanced at 2(1-1-0) with both of the previous contests hosted by the Central Illinois squadron. Muskegon prevailed on October 31st, 5-2 before dropping a 6-4 verdict on November 15th. Muskegon leads the lifetime series; 26(14-7-5).
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 16, 2008
- Lumberjacks grab best winning percentage in IHL - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Lumberjacks Notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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