Lumberjacks Set To Cap Calendar Year Of 2009 By Staying In Top Spot

December 27, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


`JACKS TRACKS: Embarking on the final week of the calendar year of 2009, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League continue their quest with zest expressly to maintain sole control of the top spot in the overall league standings. Under the astute and argute auspices of head coach Rich Kromm, the league-leaders have compiled a record of 28(19-6-3) totaling 41-points for a winning percentage of a superlative.732. Having divided a pair of games during the recently concluded Christmas holiday week, the men of Muskegon pro hockey will bridge the old year with the new one this week as they prepare for another 4-games' road mission. Once this latest excursion to the IHL's more exotic burgs is completed, the Lumberjacks will have played 8 of 9-games in the hostile territory of the acerbic, acrimonious enemy, having seen home ice a scant one time since December 13th. Their latest foreign ice expedition will transport them to Bloomington IL Tuesday night for a date with the Prairie Thunder before the "50th Anniversary Boys" travelogue traverses them to Moline, IL for a New Year's Eve bash against archrival Quad City. Muskegon will cap the calendar year and set sail on the new year of 2010 with a pair of weekend affairs rekindling rancor against two familiar long-time foes. Saturday, January 2nd, the New Year begins with an appearance at Port Huron followed by a short sojourn to Flint for an engagement with the Generals in a Sunday matinee feature at Perani Arena.

PRESENTING PRIME PROMOS: When they finally do return home to the friendly climes and environs of Walker Arena, the Lumberjacks will be offering-up some more tantalizing promotional activities and festivities. On Friday, January 8th, it's another $1 Beer Night when the `Jacks rekindle animosities with Flint. Then on the same weekend, Sunday, January 10th, it will be another ever-popular "$5 Sunday at 5" as the `Jacks and the Generals lock antlers in a clenching, wrenching tango one more time. Every seat for everyone is specially priced for only $5.

FIRST PLACE CHASE: With one more week remaining in the current calendar year of 2009, the Lumberjacks have assembled the IHL's premiere record of 28(19-6-3) for 41-points and.732 winning percentage. Their 6-setbacks are the least in the league as the `Jacks have digested defeat only 3-times over the past 2-months, spanning some 22-games. When they trembled to Fort Wayne Saturday night, 7-2, the Lumberjacks saw their 4-game win streak stifled and stymied as they absorbed only their second setback in the last 11-games; 11(7-2-2) and merely their third setback in the last 22-offerings; last 22(16-3-3); last 25(18-4-3). Muskegon is the lone team in the IHL to have not lost 2-in a row yet this season. The longest win streak has been a league-best 9-in a row; the longest unsullied skein has been 10(9-0-1), also the best of the rest of the IHL so far in this season.

HARDLY HOME: Having played only one home game since December 13th, the Lumberjacks will take to the open high-way for yet another week. When it is all said and done, they will have played only 1-home game from December 13th to January 8th. For the record, they are 16(12-4-0) under the home dome with their 16-home dates representing the most in the IHL at this juncture of the campaign. After a league season-best 8-game win streak at home, the `Jacks are 5(3-2-0) through the last 5-Walker Arena dates, dropping the latter 2-in a row for the first time this season.

NOT FLAWED ABROAD: As the club heads back onto the road, again, for another 4-games' junket, it will do so riding the crest of a 4-game win streak in the territory of the enemy; last 4(4-0-0). The 4-game win streak is the longest in the IHL this season. Moreover, the Muskegon icers have composed an impressive 10-games' unbeaten abroad skein at 10(7-0-3) with the last loss coming way back on October 31st in Fort Wayne. Their overall mark of 12(7-2-3) represents the best in the IHL with the 2-defeats being league-least.

THE GF / GA PLAY: Since the opening week of the season to the end of the current calendar year, the Lumberjacks remain as the IHL's most prolific offensive outfit, having connected on 96-GF in 28-games for a GFA of 3.43. When they score 3-GF or more this year, their record stands at a sterling 18(15-1-2), having lost just once all season long in that department. Meanwhile for the defense GA, the first place team ranks #3 with a GAA of 2.59 on a GA yield for the season of 73 in 28-games. Muskegon has surrendered more than 3-GA in only 3 of their first 28-outings this season.

TOP CROP CRAFTY: The Lumberjacks continue to reside in the top 3-point scoring positions in the IHL at this stage of the season. 1- Robin Bouchard 28(22-24-46); 2- Todd Robinson 28(12-31-43); 3- John DiPace 20(10-22-32). In Goals: 1- Bouchard (22); 4- Robinson (12); In Assists: 1- Robinson (31); 2- Bouchard (24); 4- DiPace (22). In PPG: 1- Bouchard (7); In PP/Assists: 1- Robinson (11); 2- (tied) DiPace (9). In GWG; 1- Bouchard (5); In MG: 1- Bouchard (7); In SOG: 1- Bouchard (115); In Plus/Minus: 1- DiPace (+26); 2- Robinson (+23); 3- Bouchard (+22); 4- J.T. Dahlinger +11; 7- Matt Krug (+10); Jason Lawmaster (+10); 9- Adam Welch (+9). In PIM: 5- Russ Smith (104); 6- Matt Krug (103). In Minors: 1- Smith (22); 3-(tied) Krug (19). In Rookie Scoring: 4- Krug 28(5-11-16); 9- Matt Robertson 28(4-7-11); 14- Dahlinger 27(3-6-9). In Defense Scoring: 3- Krug 28(5-11-16); 5- Tom Galvin 19(4-8-12); 8- Russ Smith 27(4-7-11); 12- Lawmaster 23(2-8-10); 14- Welch 20(3-5-8). In Goals: 1- (tied) Krug (5); 4- Galvin (4). In Assists: 4- Krug (11). In Majors: 4- Smith (10); 5- Krug (7). In the Goaltending department: 2- Sebastien Centomo GAA: 2.36; 3- Matt Lundin 2.37. Centomo tops the IHL in GPI; 20; MIN: 1,119:37; WINS: 12. He is #2 in SAVES: 468; 5th in SPCT:.914. Lundin is #3 in SPCT.920. Lundin also has the best winning percentage in the league at 9(7-1-1) for a win mark of.833.

RUSSELL HUSTLE: Recently acquired defenseman Russ Smith has stepped into the Lumberjacks lineup and made some sound and solid contributions for his first place team. In his first 8-games, he has recorded 8(1-1-2) with +2 rating and 22-PIM. The past week, he delivered a +2 rating while accounting for his team's TBG Tuesday night in a 4-2 triumph at Moline, Il against Quad City. For the week; 2(1-0-1) with 11-PIM, 3-SOG and +2 rating. Smith is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Player of the Week.

"SEA-BASS" ROADBLOCK: Laval, PQ native Sebastien Centomo posted his league-high 12th triumph Tuesday night in Moline where the `Jacks dispatched Quad City, 4-2. It was his third consecutive victory on the road, raising his road warfare record to 8(4-2-2). In his last 14-decisions, he is 14(10-2-2) while on home ice, his record stands at 11(8-3-0). Centomo is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

THE J.T. TONIC: The past week, rookie Ferris State U. right wing J.T. Dahlinger continued to make sizable, significant inroads with his pro game. In Saturday night's 7-2 humbling administered by visiting Fort Wayne, the fleet forward fired one of the `Jacks snipes on a lightning bolt shot late in the middle stanza. For the week, he was 2(1-0-1) with 7-SOG. With his +11 rating topping all IHL rookies and ranking him tied for 4th overall in the loop, Dahlinger is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Rookie of the Week.

TAPE-TO-TAPE TODD TALES: Muskegon's second all-time leading scoring kingpin, center Todd Robinson continues to live up to his regal, royalty "Robinsonian" robes as the pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot. The franchise all-time assists' arranger authored 3-adept and adroit assists Tuesday night in his club's 4-2 conquest of the Mallards in Quad City. In the process, he was acclaimed the game's #3 Star. His league-high 31-assists have been engineered in 28-games with 11- of those orchestrated on the power play. "T. Rob" also shares the league-leadership in OTSO strikes, having accounted for 2 of the `Jacks 3-such successful thrusts thus far this season.

ROBIN'S ROMAN CANDLES; "The Gun-Sling King," right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is firing roman candles at a record pace. The past week, the 16-year veteran rocketed the key, clutch IG in his team's Tuesday night 4-2 victory verdict in Moline against Quad City. In the contest, the franchise all-time leading scoring impresario essayed a pair of points to further fortify his grip on the IHL's scoring vanguard. In his last 13-games; 13(11-9-20); last 21-games; 21(18-19-37). His countdown continues as Bouchard is 34-goals away (649) from becoming the greatest goal-scoring cannoneer ever in minor pro hockey history (683). The Lumberjacks have 48-games remaining in the current campaign.

ROSTER REVIEW: With Tom Galvin returning from AHL Providence and Jason Lawmaster back following the birth of his baby boy, the Lumberjacks are beginning to finally realize some much-needed reinforcements to their lineup. Neverthe-less, there still remains a trio of rearguards shelved including Matt Gens, Todd Spencer and Iain McPhee while left wing John DiPace is also an IR member. Muskegon did obtain defenseman Jordan Little from Flint in exchange for future considera-tions while Travis Granbois was waived.

UNEVEN STRENGTH STEADY: The Lumberjacks special teams have been stabilizing with some sound, solid play as a by-product of the club's first place perch. The power play is 3 for the last 8 for a proficiency rating of an excellent 37.5%. For the season, it is ranked 4th in the league with a conversion ratio of 17.8%; 24-135. On foreign ice, the extra man band has floundered at 7-53; 13.2% and 5th in the loop. In the penalty-killing category, the `Jacks also rank 4th, operating at 81.6% efficiency with the foes 25-136. The opposition is 2 for the last 21 and 3 for the last 28 in power play opportunities.

NUMEROLOGY ANTHOLOGY: Robin Bouchard's next goal will be the 650th of his extraordinary 16-year pro career with 522 of those fired in a Muskegon uniform. Bouchard's third period goal in Tuesday's 4-2 triumph in Quad City was the 1,350th point of his career. Todd Robinson (696) is 4-assists away from 700 as he is also only 3-games away (697) from pro career 700 in that category as well. Head Coach Rich Kromm's next victory (149) will vault him over Todd Nelson as the winningest coach in modern Muskegon pro hockey history at 150-wins. Robin Big Snake's next game will be the 200th of his pro career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": In their 4-2 triumph 12/22 at Quad City, the `Jacks 39-SOG represented a single game high for this year. When they fell to Fort Wayne Saturday night, 7-2, the `Jacks incurred their first home setback on Saturday 5(4-1-0). When the `Jacks score the game's FG, they are 16(12-2-2); when they lead after the second stanza, they are unsullied at 13(11-0-2). Muskegon is 14(11-2-1) when outshooting the opposition. The `Jacks best day of the week is Wednesday with a perfect mark of 3(3-0-0). In 4-on-4 situations this year, the Lumberjacks have outscored the opposition, 7-0.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

The fourth session staged this season and the second consecutively in the Illinois hamlet where Muskegon has won 4-in a row dating back to last season and have a lifetime mark of 21(13-4-4). This season, the Lumberjacks lead the season series at 3(3-0-0) outscoring the Prairie Thunder, 16-6. In the last clash on 12/19, the `Jacks prevailed, 2-1. That was Bloomington's lone loss in a recently-completed 6-game home stand; 6(5-1-0).

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31ST THE LUMBERJACKS AT QUAD CITY 7:00 PM

The fifth time for the two teams to tangle and the third time in Moline where the Lumberjacks are 2(2-0-0) this season, outscoring the Mallards, 8-5. Overall, for the season, Muskegon is a perfect 4(4-0-0) against the "Greenheads" and 20(16-3-1) in the last 20-episodes played out between the two rivals. In Quad City, Muskegon is 9(7-2-0) in its last 9-appearances.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2ND THE LUMBERJACKS AT PORT HURON 7:30 PM

The seventh time warfare has been waged for the top two teams in the league with the Lumberjacks leading on their side of the ledger, 6(4-1-1). In Port Huron, they are 2(1-0-1). However, in the most recent action, back on 12/13 in Muskegon, the Icehawks extinguished the `Jacks in a 1-0 shutout win.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 4:00 PM

For the fourth time this season, two long-time archenemies renew hostilities with the series balanced at 3(1-1-1). In Flint, Muskegon's mark is 2(0-1-1). Dating back to last season, the Lumberjacks are winless in their last 5-decisions at Perani Arena; 5(0-4-1).

LEGENDS, YOUNG GUNS AND LUMBERJACKS: All the Lumberjacks game broadcasts in the 50th Anniversary Season as well as the Monday Night "Jacks Jam" can be heard on exclusive flagship radio station WLAW 92.5 FM, "THE OUTLAW." The Monday night "Jacks Jam" is every Monday night from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, live from FRICANO'S MUSKEGON LAKE. The "Voice" of the Lumberjacks, Terry Ficorelli has all of the Jacks on radio action. The `Jacks game broadcasts can also be found on the world wide web at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.

THE LUMBERJACKS DAILY UPDATE REPORTS: Tune in every day even when there is not a game, as Terry Ficorelli brings you up to date with the Lumberjacks Hockey Update, Monday through Friday at 5:57 pm on WEFG-FM 97.5, "THE CHAMP." There are also Lumberjacks daily reports throughout the day in Grand Haven on WGHN Radio, "Sports Radio 1370 ESPN."

LUMBERJACKS TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all Lumberjacks j=home games for the 2009-10 season are on sale at the Walker Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Centers or by phone at (231)726-2400; VISA / MASTERCARD accepted. For great group rates and birthday parties with the Lumberjacks, phone the Lumberjacks office at (231) 726-3879 or visit our website at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com. Once again, all this season at every home game, all youth tickets (17-under) are only $5 as presented by Muskegon Community College



International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 27, 2009


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