Lumberjacks Lusty Scoring Keeps Them Undefeated In New Calendar Year
January 11, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
LUMBERJACKS LINERS: The Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have launched the new calendar year of 2009 in a high-spirited, positive, affirmative fashion. Under the astute and argute auspices of third-year century-wins achieving head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Lumberjacks of "Lumbertown" completed their latest work week's agenda collecting 3 of an available 4-points in the league standings. In the process, they have gained some much valuable positioning in that tight, taut-fraught league-wide banner chase and race. With 31-games now completed in their schedule, the men of Muskegon hockey fame and fortune have compiled a season's record of 31(18-10-3) totaling 39-points and a sound and solid fourth place positioning in the alliance. Having played the least number of games in the IHL, the home town team has accrued some most treasured and potentially productive games in hand on all other member clubs. They will cast off on the newest week of the marathon-like campaign having crept to within a scant single point of third place, defending league champion Fort Wayne 35(18-13-4) 40-points with 4-games in hand on the Komets who are 5(1-3-1) in their last 5-outings and 12(4-5-3) in their last dozen endeavors. On home ice, the K's have been inconsistent as their 15(5-7-3) mark reflects and attests in the last 15-home affairs. Meanwhile, with Kalamazoo 34(21-13-0)42-points in the midst of its second 3-game losing skein of the year, the Muskegonites have inched to within 3-points of the Wings with 3-games in hand on the Kalamazooans. It's an 8-points differential for the 'Jacks in their pursuit of torrid, first place Port Huron which is presently riding the rising rapids of an 8-games' unblemished skein; 8(7-0-1). The Icehawks are 11(9-1-1) in their last 11-offerings; last 18(14-3-1). On the road, they have been even better with a league's season's best 9-game victory streak; 9(9-0-0) and a gaudy road record of 16(14-2-0) in their last 16-journeys abroad. This week, the Lumberjacks both continue and conclude their second 5-game home stand of the season in an ambitious docket comprised of 4-games in 6-days. They will host Fort Wayne in the annual Education Day game, Tuesday morning at 10:30 am before awaiting the invasions of Bloomington Friday night and Kalamazoo for a second straight Saturday night. The 'Jacks will cap the week with a trip to Fort Wayne for a Sunday encore presentation against the Komets.
ICED SPICED PROMOS: This Tuesday morning, the Lumberjacks will host their fourth annual Education Day game at Walker Arena. It's a 10:30 duel with Fort Wayne as the Muskegon organization has schools from all over the community be its guests for a key, critical game in the league standings for both clubs. Saturday night, when they collide with Kalamazoo, the Lumberjacks will conduct their second annual "Star Wars" Night.
THE RECORD RED GLARE: By earning 3 of an available 4-points through the opening 2-games of their extended 5-game home stand, the Lumberjacks have duplicated their longest unbeaten and unblemished skein of the season at 4-in succession; 4(3-0-1). Thus, Muskegon remains unsullied in the new calendar year of 2009. For the season, they are 31(18-10-3) for 39-points and .629 winning percentage with the latter ran king as the second best in the loop. The 'Jacks are 6(4-1-1) in their last 6-starts and 10(6-2-2) through their last 10-exercises. The longest win streaks of the season have been 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0) and 3-in succession; 3(3-0-0). The longest undefeated streak has been 4-consecutively; 4(3-0-1) which has been attained on two separate occasions including currently. The monthly numbers are as follows: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 11(4-6-1); January 4(3-0-1).
ROAD GAME GAIN: The Lumberjacks locals have compiled a winning record abroad at this juncture of the cam-paign at 14(7-5-2). In playing the least number of road games in the league, the 'Jacks have equaled first place Port Huron 19(14-5-0) for fewest foreign ice setbacks. Currently, the 'Jacks have equaled their longest road win streak of the season at 2-consecutively; 2(2-0-0) and are 5(3-1-1) in their last 5-decisions and a healthy 8(4-2-2) in the last 8-dates in hostile surroundings. Muskegon has yet to drop 2-in a row on the road so far this season. The Lumberjacks have extracted road wins from every IHL city with the lone exception being Kalamazoo 2(0-2-0).
TO SCORE TO NOT TO SCORE: Since opening night, the Lumberjacks have retained their lofty perch as the circuit's supreme masters of goal-cannoneering. Having produced a prodigious 130-GF in 31-games, the "Jacks of all raids" are averaging a proficient 4.19 GFA per game. Muskegon has scored 4 or more goals in 22 of its first 31-games and has been limited to less than 3-GF in a game only 4-times in those initial 31-games. Not to be overshadowed has been the gradual defensive improvement as it relates to Muskegon's GA. In the last 3-games, the GA has been a total of 9 for a GAA in that span of 2.92.
PRIME CHIME CHOICE: Center Todd Robinson 30(15-4055) continues to lead the IHL in scoring with Luke Stauffacher 31(20-18-38) 10th and Chad Woollard 28(20-11-31) listed 21st. Stauffacher (20), Woollard (20) are tied for 4th in league-wide goal production with Robinson's 40-assists the top total league wide. Woollard (10) leads the league in PPG while Robinson's 13-PP/Assists tie him for #3 in the loop. Robinson (2) and Frank Littlejohn(2) share the league-lead in SHG with Stauffacher ranked 2nd in shooting percentage; 20/84; .238. Darryl McArthur (+15) is 3rd in the league for best plus. Littlejohn (110) is 4th, Sam Miller (95) is 5th and Steven Later (94) is 6th in IHL PIM. In IHL Rookie Scoring, Maxime Lincourt 28(12-13-25) is 4th; Chad Costello 30 (10-13-23) is 6th; Alec Kirschner 30(2-14-16) is 10th; Bill Bagron 23(2-8-10) ranks 15th. Lincourt's 12-goals tie him for 2nd; Kirschner's 14-assists rank 4th. Costello's 4-PP/Assists tie him for rookie runner-up. Costello and Lincourt are 1-2 in rookie shooting percentage; Costello 10/52; .192; Lincourt 12/67; .179. Lincourt's +10 rating is 4th best. Alex Lamontagne 75-PIM rank rookie runner-up and his 15-minors rank 5th. For the defense, Darryl McArthur 31(6-19-25) is 4th in scoring with Matt Gens 29(4-14-18) tied for 8th. McArthur's 19-assists also rank as 4th most.
"STOFF STEPPIN'": Left wing Luke Stauffacher has been a constant with his all-out, all-around performance thus far this season. The past week, he essayed two consecutive 2-point efforts, notching 1-goal, 1-assist in each contest. Friday night against Port Huron, Stauffacher stashed the spellbinding, spine-tingling GTG in the third period to cap the 'Jacks comeback from a 5-3 deficit to forge a 5-5 tie and earn one precious point in the standings for his club. He was named the game's #3 Star in that one. Then on Saturday night, he stoked the key strike, also in the third period, to cement and solidify his team's stellar 4-1 triumph over archrival Kalamazoo. Having previously recorded 6-multiple goal games, including two 3-goal "hat tricks" this season, Stauffacher is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.
POOL PUCK PATROL: Five year pro goaltender Clayton Pool has announced his return to the Muskegon lineup in clear, clarion tones. The past weekend, he posted a 2(1-0-1) mark, earning accolades as the game's #2 Star in backstopping his team to an impressive 4-1 victory verdict over archrival Kalamazoo. For the week, he rebuked 64 of 70-SOG, assembled a thrifty and nifty 2.88 GAA and .914 SPCT. Since his return, he remains undefeated at 6(4-0-2) with a shrinking 3.26 GAA and increasing .918 SPCT. Pool is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.
ALEC A LOT: Rookie left wing Alec Kirschner is finding the pro game just his style for his package of potential profile. The diminutive but dynamic former UConn star emerged as a major catalyst for his team the past weekend. For the week, he was 2(0-2-2) with 4-PIM and +2 rating with 4-SOG. In his last 4-games, he is 4(0-4-4) with a sharp +3 rating. Kirschner is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.
WICKED "WOOLY": Ten-year standout left wing Chad Woollard stays strafing and streaking at this hour of the campaign. Saturday night, he was hailed the game's #1 Star as he wickedly whistled a pair of PPG strikes to emanate and culminate his team and the game's scoring in the 'Jacks 4-1 dismissal of Kalamazoo. In his last 10-games, the goal-scoring artist has cannonaded 13-goals and 16-total points. During this current scoring scourge, he has delivered 5-multiple goal games and 7-PPG along with 3-FG and 2-GWG. Woollard also leads the team in SOG with 116.
"T. ROB" RITZ: The league's leading scorer, Todd Robinson enjoyed yet another outstanding week of point-producing polish and proficiency. Authoring goals in both weekend games in as many nights, "T. Rob" rocketed the game's FG Friday night against Port Huron before connecting on the ultimate GWG Saturday night in a masterful 3-points manifesto in the victory over Kalamazoo. For the week, he was 2(2-2-4) with 4-SOG and +2 rating. In playing 30 of the 'Jacks first 31-games this season, the "Robinsonian" points tote board reads an amazing 16-multiple point games, constituting more than one-half of the games in which he has played.
ROCKIN' ROBIN RETURNS: The all-time greatest scoring colossus in Muskegon pro hockey annals, right wing Robin Bouchard has returned to the nest where he has been the best. The 15-year pro, in his 12th Muskegon campaign, is ranked 6th all-time in minor pro hockey history with his astronomical total of 603-career goals. Rockin' Robin in the treetops came through in his second game back Saturday night when he crafted a pair of adept and adroit arrangements on Chad Woollard PPG to bookend the 'Jacks momentous success at the expense of Kalamazoo.
EXTRA MAN MAJESTY: The Lumberjacks once-maligned power play is percolating a finely, fermented brew at this stage of the season. Producing a pair of strikes in each game the past weekend, they were 4-8 on the extra man band for a proficiency rating of an august 50%. Muskegon's manpower punch has propulsioned PPG in 6-consecutive games, going 9-22 in that span for a conversion rating of a zesty 40.9%. In the process, the Muskegon power play has catapulted from 6th to 3rd in the league. For the season, the power play is 26-141 for a rating of 18.4%.
MILLING MILESTONES: Center Billy Collins played his 300th pro career game, all with Muskegon, Saturday night against Kalamazoo. He becomes only the seventh player in franchise history to achieve such an extraordinary feat. Robin Bouchard 2-assists Saturday night give him 921-points in his Muskegon career. Bouchard (198) is 2-goals away from 200-PPG in Muskegon. Todd Robinson (18) is 2-goals shy of 20-SHG for Muskegon. Goaltender Clayton Pool (191) is 9-games away from the Muskegon 200. Frank Littlejohn (648) is 2-games shy of pro career 650.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With their 4-1 win Saturday night over Kalamazoo, the 'Jacks raised their Saturday night home record to 7(6-1-0). The Lumberjacks were the last IHL team this season to play in the OTSO Friday night in an OTSO 6-5 verdict against Port Huron. Dating back to last season, Muskegon has won 7-in a row on home ice against Kalamazoo, outscoring the Wings, 24-9; they are 4(4-0-0) this season after prevailing in the latter 3 at home last year. The 'Jacks are unbeaten entering the third period with the lead at 10(10-0-0). Muskegon is 9(7-1-1) when leading after the first period. On 3-separate occasions this season, Chad Woollard has scored 2-PPG in a single game. Muskegon continues to maintain the distinction of being the lone team in the IHL not yet to surrender a SHGA thus far this season. The Lumberjacks are undefeated on the road this season on Friday nights at 4(3-0-1).
WEEKEND WRAP-UP: Playing 2-games in 2-nights and the first 2-games of an extended 5-game home stand, the 'Jacks gained 3 of a possible 4-points. Friday night, in their first OTSO of the season, the home team garnered 1-point in the standings in a 6-5 OTSO affair against league front-running Port Huron. Frank Littlejohn(1-2-3)PPG, Luke Stauffacher (1-1-2)GTG, Todd Robinson (FG), Maxime Lincourt (SHG), Darryl McArthur (PPG) were Muskegon's marksmen. Clayton Pool repelled 34 of 39 Icehawks shots before the OTSO where the visitors collected the sole goal. Saturday night, the 'Jacks defeated Kalamazoo, 4-1. Chad Woollard sniped a pair of PP strikes. Robinson (1-2-3)GWG; Stauffacher (1-1-2)IG were the sharpshooters with Robin Bouchard assisting twice. Pool was electric in goal with 30-saves.
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 10:30 AM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FORT WAYNE 5:00 PM
With two confrontations on the radar this week, it will make it 8-times collisions have taken place. Presently, the series is balanced at 6(3-3-0) with the 'Jacks claiming the first three battles and the Komets the most recent trio. Home ice advantage has been insignificant in this series with both teams posting 3(1-2-0) records at home and 3(2-1-0) marks away. Fort Wayne has prevailed in its last pair of appearances here in Muskegon.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
The Lumberjacks and the Prairie Thunder lock antlers for the eighth time this season and the fourth time in Muskegon where the Lumberjacks have posted a 3(2-1-0) record. Muskegon has trumped the Illinois sextet in each of the last 3-bouts including a sweep of a pair of games in Bloomington earlier this month. Overall, the 'Jacks have won the last 3- clashes between the two teams.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH KALAMAZOO AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
For these two long-time inimical fractious foes, the seventh time for battle and the fifth time in Muskegon where the 'Jacks are a perfect 4(4-0-0) this season and 7(7-0-0) dating back to last season. This season, Muskegon leads the series 6(4-2-0) with home ice advantage tantamount to success in every game thus far.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 11, 2009
- Lumberjacks Lusty Scoring Keeps Them Undefeated In New Calendar Year - 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.
