Lumberjacks News for the Week of December 15th
December 14, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
LUMBERJACKS LINES: Although it took one game past the quarter pole of the 2008-09 76-games' International Hockey League schedule for them to finally sustain back-to-back setbacks, the Muskegon Lumberjacks remain hot in the hunt for the IHL's supreme summit spot. Under the doctrine according to third year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the men of Muskegon pro hockey, nevertheless, still maintain the league's premiere record of 20(12-7-1) totaling 25-points with the top winning percentage in the loop at .625. With a microscopic 4-points distinguishing the top 4-teams in the league standings, the 'Jacks currently reside in a strong, staunch third place position with significant games in hand on the entire league. Embarking on the week before Christmas schedule, the icers of the Lakeshore are a scant 3-points behind first place Port Huron 24(14-10-0) 28-points with 4-games in hand on the Icehawks who are 6(5-1-0) in their last half-dozen dates while winning 4-in succession on the road. The 'Jacks trail second place Fort Wayne 22(13-8-1) 27-points by a mere 2-points with 2-games in hand on the coronated kingpins. The Komets are 5(4-1-0) in their last 5-outings and have won 3-in a row abroad. Then comes fourth place Kalamazoo 21(12-9-0) 24-points. Muskegon leads the Wings by a slim singleton with 1-game in hand on their principal archrivals. After winning 8-consecutively, the Kalamazooans are 5(2-3-0) through their last 5-tests. This week, the Lumberjacks confront the daunting assign-ment of 3-games in 3-days before the brief adjournment for the Christmas holiday. This Friday night, they will close an extended 5-game home stand with a clash against Fort Wayne on "$5 Friday." Saturday and Sunday, the 'Jacks hit the road for the first time this month with excursions to Fort Wayne to cap the 2-game home-and-home series, before traveling on to Port Huron for the Muskegonites first Sunday action of the season. This will be the Lumberjacks last pre-Christmas schedule action.
$5 FRIDAY IN PLAY: When the Lumberjacks tackle defending IHL kingpin Fort Wayne this Friday night, December 19th, it has been hailed and heralded as $5 FRIDAY at Walker Arena. In celebrating the holiday season, the new Lumberjacks organization have placed all seats on sale for only $5 on this special night; the Lumberjacks last home appearance before the Christmas recess. This Friday night, all fans get their seats for only $5. Fans can get their $5 tickets at the Walker Arena Box Office or by phone (231) 726-2400.
FEARSOME FOURSOME AWESOME: With the league's best record at 20(12-7-1) for 25-points, the Lumber-jacks are in the middle of a major dogfight for the league's most prestigious prime pinnacle. They have attained the IHL's best win percentage at .625 while playing the least number of games in the league. The 'Jacks are 2(0-2-0) in their last 2-starts; last 6-games; 6(2-4-0); last 10(5-4-1). Their 7-setbacks represent the league's least. The longest win streaks of the season have been 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0) and 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0). They have also achieved a 4-game unblemished skein; 4(3-0-1). The monthly numbers for the Muskegon hockey precinct read: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 4(1-3-0).
ELATION TO FRUSTRATION: At the inception of the current campaign, the Lumberjacks were virtually invincible in the hallowed halls of their home of Walker Arena. In fact, at one juncture, they had torridly assembled a majestic 7-game win streak, still the best of the rest of the league thus far this season. However, at this stage of the season, Aladdin's lamp has languished. Suddenly snakebitten on home ice in recent action, the 'Jacks have dropped 2-in succession for the second time this year; last 2(0-2-0) and are 5(1-4-0) in their last 5-home performances. They are presently 4(1-3-0) through the initial 4-games of an extended 5-game home stand. For the season overall, the 'Jacks are a superb 12(8-4-0) in the amiable climes and environs with their 8-home triumphs being foremost in the league. Also, that 7-game win streak remains as the best in the league this campaign.
AWAY AT LONG LAST: When they sojourn to Fort Wayne this Saturday and Port Huron on Sunday, the Lumberjacks will be traveling IHL style on the long runway at rather low altitude for the first time in the month of December and for the first time since a November 29th 3-1 triumph at Fort Wayne. For the season, the 'Jacks are one of three teams having exceeded the .500 plateau in foreign ice warfare at 8(4-3-1). Port Huron stands at 14(9-5-0) and Fort Wayne is at 12(8-4-0). The longest road victory streak has been 2-in a row; 2(2-0-0). The 4-road successes have been attained accordingly; Fort Wayne 2(2-0-0); Flint 2(1-0-1); Bloomington 2(1-1-0).
GOAL GLUT RUT: As the IHL's most potent, prolific offense, the Lumberjacks seem to have been snakebitten in recent action. The past weekend, on home ice, despite 82-SOG, Muskegon found the bullseye a minuscule 3-times for a GFA of 1.50. In the last 6-games, Muskegon has managed 15-GF for a GFA of an uncharacteristically mundane 2.50. For the season, though, they maintain a healthy advantage over the rest of the pack with 87-GF in 20-games for a GFA of 4.35. No other team in the league has gained a GFA mark approaching 4.00. Defensively, marked improve-ment has been realized. In the last 7-games, the 'Jacks have grudgingly surrendered 20-GA for a GAA of 2.86.
TOP PARADE BRIGADE: Center Todd Robinson 20(12-31-43) has retained a commanding 8-points advantage as the IHL's premiere point producer. His linemates, Luke Stauffacher 20(15-11-26) is 7th and Henry Kuster 19(11-12-23) is listed 14th among the league's elite. Stauffacher's 15-goals tie him for 2nd most; Robinson's 31-assists top the circuit. Robinson ranks tied for 3rd in PP/Assists with 9 while Stauffacher is tied for the league lead in GWG with 3. Robinson and Frank Littlejohn share the top spot in SHG with 2; Stauffacher's goal-scoring shooting percentage of 15-61 and .246 mark ranks #3 in the loop. Darryl McArthur (+16) is #1 and Robinson (+13) is tied for #2 in the IHL for best plus players. In IHL rookie scoring, Maxime Lincourt 20(9-9-18) is tied for 2nd, Chad Costello 20(5-5-10) is tied for 6th and Alec Kirschner 19(2-6-8) is ranked 10th. Lincourt's 48-SOG rank 5th, his 9-goals tie him for rookie runner-up, his 9-assists tie him for 3rd most. Costello 5/26; .192 is 2nd, Lincourt 9/48; .188 is 3rd in rookie goal-scoring shooting percentage. Lincourt's +7 rating is rookie 5th best. On the defense, McArthur 20(4-14-18) is tied for #3 in scoring with Matt Gens 6th 20(3-12-15). Steven Later (71) ranks 2nd in PIM, his 5-majors also are runner-up in the league. In the goaltending department, Isaac Reichmuth leads the league in victories with 11; his GAA of 3.81 ranks 5th; 944-MIN rank 4th and 428-SAVES are 3rd most in the league. He also leads the league in GPI with 18 and total starts with 16.
ON THE BACK IS "MAC": Nine-year pro defenseman Darryl McArthur has been enjoying some of his best moments as a professional this campaign with the Lumberjacks. The league's premiere, positive plus player at +16 is also ranked tied for 3rd among the league defenseman in scoring with 20(4-14-18). The past weekend, in 2-games, he was 2(0-2-2), assisting on both of his team's goals Saturday night against Flint. In the process, he was named the game's #3 Star. For the weekend, he was an active force on the 'Jacks attack with 10-SOG. McArthur is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.
PUCK PREVENTION ATTENTION: Goaltender Isaac Reichmuth has prominently emerged as the IHL's consummate workhorse thus far this season. The past week he started 2-more games for his club, rebuking 50 of 57-shots. Having accounted for 11- of Muskegon's 12-triumphs this season and having played in 18 of his team's first 20-games, Reichmuth has recorded a thrifty 2.86 GAA in the last 7-games. Reichmuth is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.
THAT COSTELLO FELLOW: Rookie right wing Chad Costello seems to be finding a home in the IHL and with the Lumberjacks. The former Northeastern U. standout accounted for his team's sole goal Friday night in the 3-1 setback inflicted by visiting Fort Wayne. The game's #3 Star, he has connected on 2 of his 5-snipes this season against the IHL's reigning titlists. Having scored both of his GWG this season on the road, constituting one-half of his team's 4-alien ice successes, Costello is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.
WIRED BY "WOOLY": Even though, he did not craft his specialty art of cannonading goal-power, left wing Chad Woollard was one of the more menacing Muskegon offensive threats the past weekend. In two games, the 10-year pro of prolific goal-scoring repute registered 2(0-1-1) with 12-SOG and +2 rating. Due for a major breakthrough and probably very soon, Woollard for the season is 17(7-9-16) with 3-PPG and +4 rating. His 67-SOG lead the Lumber-jacks.
POWER PLAY POTION PRESCRIBED: Though ominous and formidable and spawning innumerable goal-scoring opportunities, the Lumberjacks power play plant is in the midst of a power outage. Creating a veritable plethora of glorious and grandiose point-blank chances, the 'Jacks were 0-13 in the two games the past weekend. They are now 0 for the last 14 and only 1 for the last 34 for a proficiency rating of 2.9%. For the season, Muskegon ranks 5th in the IHL at 14-92 for a rating of 15.2%. The 'Jacks have been presented 27-fewer power play advantages than all other teams in the league and have registered 6-fewer PPG than all other clubs. The penalty-killing outfit is also 5th at 79% efficiency rating; 83-105 with the opposition 5 for the last 20. Muskegon has been shorthanded 10-less times than all other member clubs.
MILESTONES STORY: When he takes the ice this Friday night at home against Fort Wayne, defenseman Kyle Kos will play in his 500th pro career game. Henry Kuster (496) is 4-points shy of pro career 500. Matt Gens (99) next point will be the 100th of his pro career. Billy Collins (289) is 11-games away from 300. Head Coach Bruce Ramsay (96) is 4-victories away from becoming the third coach in the modern era of Muskegon pro hockey history to reach 100-victories.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When the 'Jacks bowed Saturday night to Flint, 4-2, it marked their first home defeat on Saturday night this season; 5(4-1-0). After launching the season with 5-straight wins on Friday night, the Lumberjacks are now 3(0-3-0) in their last 3-Friday dates. In his last 11-games, Matt Gens is 11(3-8-11). Muskegon is a perfect 8(8-0-0) entering the third period with the lead. They are 4(4-0-0) when scoring a SHG and 5(5-0-0) when delivering a 3-goal "hat trick." Muskegon is the lone IHL team not to allow a SHGA thus far this season while their 4-SHG tie for the league-lead with Fort Wayne.
THE WEEK'S REWIND: Playing 2-games in 2-nights as part of an extended 5-game home stand, the 'Jacks, perhaps, deserved a slightly better fate and destiny as they rained 82-SOG in 2-games, yet could not find the "W." Friday night, they outshot visiting Fort Wayne, 33-30 in bowing 3-1. Chad Costello was the lone Muskegon marksman as the K's solved the 'Jacks for the first time in 4-tries this year. Saturday night, it was a 'Jacks 49-shot salvo in a 4-2 Flint victory. Former Muskegon netminder Bill Zaniboni came back to roost in laying claim to the game's #1 Star. Henry Kuster and Maxime Lincourt were the 'Jacks sharpshooters. Muskegon outshot Flint in the third period, 20-5 but were astoundingly outscored, 2-1.
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19TH FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FORT WAYNE 7:30 PM
The fifth and sixth clashes of the season between these two titans of yesteryear and this year with the 'Jacks in the lead at this hour of the campaign at 4(3-1-0). They are 2(1-1-0) at home and 2(2-0-0) in the Indiana city. Saturday night, will be Muskegon's first road game since November 29th when they extracted a 3-1 verdict from the Komets in Fort Wayne.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST THE LUMBERJACKS AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM
The Lumberjacks play their first Sunday game of the '08-09 season when they travel to McMorran Place Arena to be hosted by the Icehawks. The series is balanced at 4(2-2-0) with the 'Jacks being 3(2-1-0) at home and 1(0-1-0) in Port Huron where they have dropped 5-consecutively, dating back to last season. In the lone previous appearance in Port Huron so far this season, the 'Jacks bowed, 6-4, back on October 25th, Muskegon's first road game of the season.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: 2(0-2-0) 3-7
FRI. DEC. 12 FORT WAYNE 3, AT LUMBERJACKS 1.
SAT. DEC. 13 FLINT 4 AT LUMBERJACKS 2.
• Discuss this story on the International Hockey League 2 message board...
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 14, 2008
- Lumberjacks News for the Week of December 15th - 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.
