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Lumberjacks News

March 8, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


LUMBERJACKS LINES: Presently residing in the runner-up, second place position in the IHL standings, the Muskegon Lumberjacks have opened their 14-games' March schedule with a recently concluded three-games' homestand in which they compiled a 3(2-1-0) record. Under the doctrine according to third-year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Lumberjacks will commence the new week having accumulated 76-points through an overall record of 58(35-17-6) for a winning percentage of a superlative .655. With 18-games and 5-full weeks remaining on the 2008-09 league schedule, the men of Muskegon "Lumbertown" will play 11 of those remaining 18-games away whilein the other 7-games the team can be seen at home. As they quest with zest to solidify the highest positioning possible expressly for home ice advantage in the Turner Cup Playoffs, the Lumberjacks are still intently casting their collective eyes on the grand prize of the regular season championship, and with it, the Huber Trophy crown. In pursuit of league-leading Port Huron while looking over their shoulders with third place Fort Wayne and fourth place Kalamazoo fogging their rear view mirrors, the Muskegonites look for overall team health improvement and a return to the lineup for those team standouts who either missed or were not operating at full capacity the past two-games weekend. With a full week of practice in front of them, the Lumberjacks can become whole, again, by the time they resume IHL action through an ambitious weekend's docket consisting of three games in three nights with two of those being played in hostile territory. In the re-scheduled game for this Friday night, the ‘Jacks have a date with the Generals at Flint before returning home to Walker Arena for their lone home appearance this week as they host their nemesis Bloomington on Saturday night. Muskegon caps the weekend's activities with an expedition to Port Huron for a titanic tussle with the Icehawks on Sunday evening.

‘JACKS GAME DATE CHANGE: This Friday night, March 13th when they Lumberjacks travel to Flint to be hosted by the Generals, it will be the re-scheduled game that was originally on the docket for the night earlier, Thursday, March 12th. This Friday night it's Muskegon at Flint at 7:30 pm from Perani Arena.

BRIMMING WITH WINNING: The past week, the Lumberjacks capped their 3-game home stand with a 3(2-1-0) mark. For the weekend, they were 2(1-1-0) as they dismissed Fort Wayne on Friday night, 5-3 before being subdued Saturday night on home ice by first place Port Huron, 4-1. For the season, their record stands at a superb 58(35-17-6) for 76-points and sparkling .655 winning percentage. In their last 4-games; 4(3-1-0); last 11-games; 11(9-2-0); last 14(11-3-0); last 19(13-4-2); last 31(21-6-4); last 37(23-8-6). The Muskegon victory total of 35 equals all of last season 76(35-35-6)76-points. With 18-games still remaining on their current campaign's schedule, Muskegon also has already equaled its total number of points from last year of 76. Since the inception of the second half of the schedule, the ‘Jacks are a sterling 20(13-4-3); since the nativity of the new calendar year of 2009, the Lumberjacks are enjoying a record of 31(20-7-4). Since their major 5-player trade with Flint, the Lumberjacks have been thriving with a mark of 9(7-2-0). The longest win streak of the season has been 6-in a row; 6(6-0-0); longest undefeated streak has been 8(6-0-2). Muskegon has attained vast improvement from one year ago following the first 58-games. One year ago, the Muskegon record was 58(28-26-4)60-points. This year, the ‘Jacks have 7-more wins, 9-less losses and 16-more points than last season at this time. The monthly account list: 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 3(2-1-0).

HOME HOST FOREMOST: Having played the most home games in the IHL with 31, the Lumberjacks have achieved the circuit's most supreme and sovereign home dome record. At 31(19-9-3), the ‘Jacks are the best of the rest in the IHL with their 19-victories eclipsing last season's total output of 18 while at the same time equaling Kalamazoo for the most home ice circuit successes. Their latest home ice win skein of 3-consecutively was severed Saturday night when visiting Port Huron slipped into town and skated away with a 4-1 taming of the home town team. At home, last 4-games; 4(3-1-0); last 10(6-3-1); last 17(10-4-3); last 19(11-5-3). Longest home win streak has been 7-in a row, attained through the initial 7-home appearances of the 2008-09 season.

ROAD WARFARE WARRIORS: With 11 of their remaining 18-regular season games on the road, the Lumberjacks will be seeking to continue their preponderance of predominance in foreign ice warfare. In the present tense, the ‘Jacks are a sharp-shaped 27(16-8-3), actually having sustained fewer setbacks abroad (8) than at home (9). Their 16-road triumphs leave them a mere 1-win shy of duplicating last year's total of 17-road wins. Currently, the ‘Jacks are a bedazzling 10(8-1-1) in their last 10-journeys to the IHL's foreign lands, having incurred a scant single setback abroad since January 27th. Moreover, last 16-road verdicts; 16(11-3-2); last 19(12-4-3). Longest win streak away from home bay has been 6-in succession; 6(6-0-0). Longest unsullied skein abroad is 8-straight; 8(7-0-1). One of the Lumberjacks more remarkable but somewhat obscure achievements thus far this season has been the fact that they have suffered back-to-back setbacks on the road only one time since the start of it all back in October.

THE GF / GA IS IN PLAY: As they have since opening night, back on October 18th in this current campaign, the Lumberjacks have sustained their sorcery as the highest scoring ammo artillery armada in the IHL. Through 58-games, they have bulged the twine to the croon-tune of 235-GF for a GFA of a lustrous 4.05. An insightful index into the Lumberjacks anatomy of work is found in the pages that read of nearly 70% of their games they have infiltrated the enemy's defensive battle lines for 4 or more goals in a game. Furthermore, the Lumberjacks first line of offense has been muzzled to under 3-GF in only 10 of 58-games so far this season.

HIT PARADE PROLIFIC: Although he was uncharacteristically silenced in a pair of encounters the past weekend, center Todd Robinson 57(23-74-97) maintains a masterful 20-points advantage over former teammate and current Bloomington center Jon Booras in the IHL league-wide scoring point parade cavalcade. John DiPace 57(29-34-63) is listed 7th; Luke Stauffacher 52(30-28-58) is 10th; Robin Bouchard 29(30-18-48) is 19th. Bouchard (30) and Stauffacher (30) are tied for 3rd most in goals; DiPace (29) is closely behind league-wide. Robinson's 74-assists are 25-more than all others and he also tops the league in PP/Assists with 26. Chad Woollard is tied with Booras for most PPG with 12; Robin Bouchard is right behind with 11-PPG. John DiPace with 202-SOG ranks 5th while Stauffacher's 5-GWG tie him for 3rd most IHL. Bouchard leads the IHL in shooting percentage; 30/112; .227; Stauffacher is 3rd at 30/152; .197. Steven Later leads the IHL in PIM with 255; his 40-minors rank 3rd and his 15-majors tie him for 3rd most in the league. In the rookie department, Chad Costello 57(15-25-40) is ranked at #3; Adam Bartholomay 47(8-18-26) is 10th; Alec Kirschner 47(3-20-23) is 13th. Costello's 3-GWG tie him for the rookie leadership; his 25-assists are rookie runner-up. Costello is 3rd in shooting percentage; 15/103; .146. Bartholomay is rookie rated 4th at +12. For the defense, Matt Gens 56(9-33-42) is #2 in scoring; Darryl McArthur is 3rd; 58(7-32-39); Shaun Fisher 57(6-25-31) is 6th. McArthur (16) is 2nd; Gens (15) is 3rd in PP/Assists; McArthur's 137-SOG tie him for 3rd most. Gens (33) is #2 and McArthur (32) is #3 in the league for assists by "d-men." Later leads all defensemen in majors with 15. Dan Boeser 5/45; .111 is #2 in shooting percentage; McArthur's +14 rating is 4th. In the goalkeeping category, Clayton Pool is ranked 4th with a 3.20 GAA. His 18-victories rank league-wide 4th as well while he shares the league-lead with Kalamazoo's Joel Martin for best SPCT at .913.

ROCKIN' ROCKET ROBIN: The "Gun-Sling King" right wing Robin Bouchard has, extraordinarily, attained the coveted 30-goal plateau in only his 28th Lumberjacks game this season. "Bouch Almighty" accomplished the remarkable feat Friday night on home ice where his team topped title timber team Fort Wayne, 5-3. Named and acclaimed the game's #1 Star, he was the virtuoso of a points producing "trifecta" with 1-goal, 2-assists and a "Bouchardian" brilliant +3 rating. For the week he was 2(1-3-4) with 8-SOG and 19-PIM. In his last 19-games, he is 19(23-14-37) for a per game average of virtually 2-points per game. Bouchard is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.

"CEECE" SCINTILLATING: Goaltender John Ceci acquitted himself admirably and nobly the past weekend in the absence of Clayton Pool. With the Lumberjacks puck professor on assignment to AHL Grand Rapids, Ceci stepped-in and performed his craft in the form of a 2(1-1-0) record with a 3.50 GAA and .900 SPCT. In his team's Friday night 5-3 verdict over visiting Fort Wayne, Ceci earned his third victory of the season and his second against the reigning champions. For his Lumberjacks season, he is 6(3-2-1) in 9-appearances with a shrinking 3.81 GAA and improving .896 SPCT. Ceci is the Lumberjacks nomination for both Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week and Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.

THE BIG "FISH" THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY: Eight-year veteran defenseman Shaun Fisher enjoyed a most auspicious debut as the newest member of good standing on the Lumberjacks deep defense. Obtained from Blooming-ton from Muskegon's previous trades of Henry Kuster and Bill Bagron to the Prairie Thunder, the former OHL standout of the Plymouth Whalers seized his first Muskegon shining moment Friday night when he delivered an adept and adroit 3-points masterpiece which included the key "touch-in-the-clutch" tie breaking goal, early second period, in his club's eventual 5-3 conquest of the Komets. Earning a snappy and snazzy +2 rating on his night's body of work, "Fish" was accorded #3 Star of the game acclaim. Upon his departure from Bloomington, Muskegon bound, he was the Illinois-based squad's premiere point-producing blue line ace.

SOONER THAN "LATER": Rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed, rambunctious rearguard Steven Later lived every unsung and unheralded defenseman's dream game Friday night when the ‘Jacks exorcized Fort Wayne from Walker Arena, 5-3. With his team riddled with recalls, injuries, maladies and illness, the league's most penalized player was transform-ed into the prototypical power forward on right wing. Through his conversion of faith to forward Steven was stellar. Flexing his Muskegon muscles he powered-up a three points performance which he crowned with a uniquely-inspired, spellbinding, electrifying straightaway, breakaway, power play goal to complete the ‘Jacks victorious night. For his crowd-pleasing "enormous" performance, Later was hailed the game's #2 Star.

IRONMAN "MAC": Nine year veteran defenseman Darryl McArthur has been the ultimate, consummate profess-sional in his first-ever season in Muskegon. As unsung as they come, the Lumberjacks #22 has been the absolute model of class, consistency and efficiency. Unobtrusively but very effectively he is Muskegon's second best plus player behind Todd Robinson's +16 rating with a sound and solid +14 on his positive ledger. So, perhaps, it is apropos that "Mac's" Muskegon might and mettle be best epitomized by the fact that he has gained the regal distinction of being the lone Lumberjacks player to play every game this season. Ironman "Mac" has been at the starting gate for all 58.

SKY LOW LUKE: Diminutive, dynamic right wing Luke Stauffacher has been uncanny with his intriguing blend of flash, dash, panache and strong hint of bash. The league's 10th top point-maker leads the Lumberjacks in GWG with 5 having connected on both GWG in his club's two triumphs during the recently concluded 3-game homestand. Leading the league in 3-goal "hat tricks" with 4 and multiple goal games with 9, the former U. of Minnesota-Duluth standout is 4(5-2-7) in his last 4-games and 11(8-7-15) in his last 11-outings.

POWER PLAY PROWESS: Having skyrocketing meteorically from worst to first, outhouse to penthouse, stupor to super on their power play, the Lumberjacks have demonstrated strong staying power to maintain and retain that premiere pinnacle of power play prowess. Operating at a proficiency rating of 22.5%, Muskegon is 62-276 with the 62-PPG leading the loop. The ‘Jacks are 5 for the last 16; 31.2%; 44 for the last 151; 29.1%. Of their 62-PPG, 38 have been struck on home ice.

HISTORY'S HALLOWED HALLS: Robin Bouchard is 6th all-time in minor pro hockey history with 633-goals and counting! Billy Collins (99) next goal will be his 100th in his Muskegon and total pro career. Head Coach Bruce Ram-say (119) is 11-wins away from tying Rich Kromm (130) for second place on Muskegon's all-time list. Steven Later (191) is 9-games from pro career 200 and 13-PIM away from 800-PIM. Todd Robinson has reached 650-assists in his illustrious pro career. Luke Stauffacher (98) is 2-goals away from pro career 100 and with 197-points is 3-shy of 200 for his pro career. Adam Bartholomay's next game will be the 100th of his pro career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With their 5-3 triumph over Fort Wayne Friday night, the ‘Jacks have now 4-in a row over the K's and are 7(6-1-0) in the last 7-collisions this season. Though they lead the league in PIM with a per game average of 24.3, the ‘Jacks actually have the fewest minor penalties in the league with 334. The ‘Jacks are 34(26-4-4) when scoring the FG. Muskegon has an OT record of 7(4-3) this season with all 4-wins coming on the road and the latter 3 coming consecutively. When Dan Boeser scored a PPG at 17:55 third period Saturday night at home against Port Huron, the ‘Jacks averted being shutout for the first time this season.

RECAP WRAP: Playing an abbreviated schedule of 2-games in 2-nights to complete a 3-game home stand, the "Jacks responded with a 2(1-1-0) record. Friday night, they dismissed Fort Wayne, 5-3 on the impetus of a pair of goals in the first and third periods respectively. Robin Bouchard (1-2-3), Shaun Fisher (1-2-3)TBG, Steven Later (1-2-3)PPG each made connection for the victors with Billy Collins (FG) and Luke Stauffacher (GWG) also delivering the Muskegon mail. John DiPace had 2-assists. In goal, John Ceci diverted 37 of 39-shots. Saturday night, in the game billed for first place, the ‘Jacks trembled to league-leading Port Huron, 4-1. Dan Boeser (PPG) accounted for Muskegon's sole goal on a PP late in the final frame of the game to avert the ‘Jacks first time being shutout this season.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:30 PM

Originally scheduled for one night earlier, the new re-scheduled date is the very next night as the two long-time foes tangle for the 12th time this season and the sixth time in Flint where the ‘Jacks are unblemished thus far this season at 5(4-0-1). Overall, Muskegon leads the season series at 11(8-2-1). This will be the fourth time the two teams have tussled since the major 5-player trade of February 18th with Muskegon emerging with victory in each of those previous 3-decisions with two of those extracted in Flint.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

For the 13th time the two trading teams tangle and for the seventh time, it's here in Muskegon where the home team stands at 6(3-2-1). In fact, that is also the Muskegon mark in central Illinois against the Prairie Thunder. This is the first time the two teams have seen each other since back on February 13th when at home, the ‘Jacks were bushwhacked by Bloomington at Walker Arena, 7-1.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM

Colliding one more time one week later, the top two teams in the standings make it an even dozen dates and the sixth at McMorran Place Arena where the Lumberjacks are 5(2-2-1) this year. Muskegon spirited away its second triumph there in its last visit back on February 15th when rallied to surmount the ‘Hawks, 2-1 in OT on a Matt Gens strike stoked with only :25 remaining in the 4-on-4 extra session. Robin Bouchard had knotted it with a PPG midway through the third stanza.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 8, 2009


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