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Lumberjacks still on top after another week

December 7, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


LUMBERJACKS LINES: On the launching pad for an extended 5-game home stand, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League divided a pair of home encounters at Walker Arena the past weekend against two of their top three pursuers for the league's most premium pinnacle. In the process, the mighty men of Muskegon pro hockey have retained their slight advantage atop the IHL standings. Under the tutelage of third year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the Lumberjacks have compiled the circuit's sovereign supreme record of 18(12-5-1) for 25-points and a winning percentage of .694. Presently, a scant 4-points distinguish the top 4-teams in the league. Muskegon maintains a minuscule 1-point advantage over second place Port Huron 21(12-9-0)24-points with 3-games in hand on the Icehawks who have won 3-in a row following a 3-game losing streak. It's a Muskegon 3-points edge over third place Kalamazoo 19(11-8-0) 22-points with 1-game in hand on the Wings who are 11(9-2-0) in their last 11-decisions and have played 12 of their initial 19-games abroad. The 'Jacks do have 1-game in hand on the Kalamazooans. Mean-while, the defending champions Fort Wayne 18(10-7-1)21points are a mere 4-points in arrears of the Muskegon squadron. The Komets are 9(3-5-1) in their last 9-outings. In the midst of playing 4-consecutive games against these aforementioned top 3-challenging contenders for the league's title belt, the Lumberjacks have assembled a mark of 3(2-1-0) in the first 3-bouts between these three top-drawer rivals. This week, the 'Jacks continue the 5-game home stand with a pair of weekend appearances at Walker Arena. Friday night, Fort Wayne comes calling for the fourth and final contest of those 4-in a row against those formidable enemies before Flint pays a visit on Saturday night at the "hockey barn of bedlam" at the corner of Fourth Street and W. Western Avenue, downtown in our town.

PROMOTION IN MOTION: All through the month of December, the Lumberjacks organization is presenting some superior promotional activities certain to excite and exhort the Lakeshore community to become involved and immersed with their first place pro sports franchise. Throughout the month, the Lumberjacks are presenting "4 for 44" month. Four tickets and $20 concessions voucher available for all 'Jacks home games this month. In addition, it's "Coats for Kids" month as fans are urged and encouraged to donate a new or gently used coat. When making this donation, fans will be able to buy one ticket and get the second one of equal or lesser value free for any Lumberjacks home game of their choice for the balance of the current season. Moreover, it is "reverse jersey" month across the IHL as all teams don their road jerseys at home and their home jerseys away from home.

FIRST PLACE CHASE: One game shy of reaching the 2008-09 IHL schedule's quarter pole, the Lumberjacks find themselves clinging obdurately to the league's premium pinnacle with a mark of 18(12-5-1) for 25-points and .694 winning percentile. "The Rangers of Ramsay" are 4(2-2-0) in their past quartet of starts and 8(5-2-1) in the last 8-dates; last 13(9-3-1). The 'Jacks are foremost in the loop in victories with 12 (tied with Port Huron) while having absorbed 2-fewer defeats than any other IHL rival. Their longest winning streaks of the current campaign have been 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0) and 3-in succession; 3(3-0-0). Their longest unblemished skein has been 4-consecutively; 4(3-0-1). The 'Jacks have yet to sustain back-to-back setbacks thus far this season. The monthly numbers for the localites; October 4(3-0-1); November 12(8-3-1); December 2(1-1-0). Muskegon is attaining advancement and enhancement from one year ago when the record after 18-games stood at 18(9-8-1)19-points. Currently, this latest Muskegon edition has collected 3-more wins, incurred 3-less losses and has accrued 6-more points.

HOMEBOUND REBOUND: Inaugurating the current campaign with an IHL league-best 7-game home ice win skein, the Lumberjacks proceeded to suffer 2-consecutive unfounded crusades on consecutive Friday nights, including a 6-4 short end the past Friday night against Port Huron. Undaunted and untrammeled, Muskegon resiliently rebounded Saturday night in dismissing Kalamazoo in a command performance, 4-1. With the win, the 'Jacks have maintained the league's best home record at 10(8-2-0) with those 8-home triumphs representing 3-more than all other teams in the league. The longest home win streak has been 7-consecutively; the longest home losing streak has been 2-in succession. One year ago after the first 10-home games, Muskegon was languishing with an inferior mark of 10(3-7-0). This year's Muskegon club is 5-wins and 10-points superior to a year ago.

ROAD REVELRY: Through their first 8-road dates of the season, the Lumberjacks have achieved the distinction of being one of only three teams in the league to have exceeded the .500 barrier at 8(4-3-1). Port Huron is 12(7-5-0) and Fort Wayne stands at 9(5-4-0). The longest road victory streak has been 2-in a row; 2(2-0-0). The 4-road victories have been collected accordingly; Fort Wayne 2(2-0-0); Flint 2(1-0-1); Bloomington 2(1-1-0).

THE GF / GA PLAY: When the 'Jacks delivered a 4-goals' output in their Saturday night success over Kalamazoo, it marked the 15th time through the first 18-games that they have scored 4 or more goals in a single game. They are the league's most potent offensive arsenal, having percolated 84-GF in those 18-games for a GFA of 4.67. Meanwhile, defensively, the league-leaders are beginning to show some rather positive signs. In the last 5-games that they have played, in 3 of those , the 'Jacks have grudgingly surrendered a minuscule 1-GA.

TOP CLASS BRASS: Center Todd Robinson 18(12-30-42) continues to maintain a comfortable, commanding lead atop the IHL scoring race. Linemates Luke Stauffacher 18(15-11-26) is listed 6th and Henry Kuster 18(10-12-22) is ranked 12th; Maxime Lincourt 18(8-9-17) is 23rd among the league elite in point productivity. Stauffacher's 15-goals lead the league with Robinson (12) ranked 5th. Robinson leads the league in assists with 30 and is tied for third in PP/Assists with 9. Stauffacher also leads the IHL in GWG with 3. Robinson and Frank Littlejohn share the league leadership in SHG with 2 while Stauffacher's goal-scoring shooting percentage of 15/56; .268 has him rated 3rd in that category. Darryl McArthur (+15) shares the league-lead for best plus player with Robinson close behind at #3 with +13. Kyle Kos (+10) is ranked league-wide 5th. Steven Later's 71-PIM rank as 5th most in the IHL. In the Rookie Scoring department, #2 Maxime Lincourt 18(8-9-17); #6 Adam Bartholomay 15(3-7-10), #7 Chad Costello 18(4-5-9); #9 Alec Kirschner 17(2-6-8). Costello's 2-GWG lead all league rookies; Lincourt's 8-goals rank rookie 3rd and his 9-assists rank rookie runner-up. Lincourt (+9), Bartholomay (+9) rank tied for 3rd best. Among IHL Defense, Darryl McArthur 18(4-12-16) is ranked 2nd; Matt Gens 18(3-11-14) is 6th; Adam Bartholomay 15(3-7-10) is 10th. McArthur is 3rd in assists with 12; Gens is 4th with 11. McArthur is the league's top plus defenseman (+15); Kyle Kos (+10) is tied for 2nd. Steven Later's 71-PIM rank #2 among the league defense; his 5-majors are 2nd and his 13-minors are 5th. In the goaltending department, Isaac Reichmuth leads the league in victories with 11 and is tied for the lead in GPI with 16. He is 4th in MIN; 828; 3rd in SAVES: 378; 5th in GAA: 3.84 and 5th in SPCT .877.

T. ROB RICHES: The pre-eminent prince of points playmaking prolific pivot Todd Robinson seems to be a man on a mission playing as if he is possessed and obsessed thus far this season. The league's premiere point-meister maestroed two more multi-point games in two nights the past weekend, accumulating 6-points in all; 2(2-4-6). Included in the "Robinsonian" rich resume was another brilliant 4-points enormous performance (2-2-4), his second +4 rating of the season, crowned by the game's #1 Star despite a Lumberjacks 6-4 setback inhaled against Port Huron. He authored 2-more assists in his team's Saturday night triumph over Kalamazoo, 4-1. He was a stellar +5 for the 2-games the past weekend and has remarkably recorded 13-multiple point games in the first 18-games of the season. Owning an emphatic 12-points advantage atop the IHL scoring race, Robinson is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.

ISAAC IN THE CLICK: It was another banner performance Saturday night for #1 Star of the Game Isaac Reichmuth as he spurred his squad to a superb 4-1 victory verdict over long-time archrival Kalamazoo. Rebuking 27 of 28-shots cascaded by the Wings, Reichmuth posted his 8th victory in his last 10-decisions; 10(8-2-0). The third-year pro has been the consummate workhorse for the league-leaders, having seen service in 16 of the first 18-games while starting 14 of those. For the week, he was 2(1-1-0) with a 3.55 GAA and .875 SPCT. Reichmuth is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

UCONN "KIRSCH": UConn rookie right wing Alec Kirschner is exhibiting considerable elevation in his pro play in recent vintage. The past week he was 2(0-1-1) with +1 rating. In his last 3-games, he has carded a sound and solid +3 rating and in his last 6-games, he is 6(2-3-5). For the second consecutive week, Kirschner is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina/ IHL Rookie of the Week.

"COOL HAND" HOT: Diminutive, dynamic left wing Luke Stauffacher has a hot hand in striking-up the Lumberjacks high-tech, high-octane band. The 42-goal cannoneer of '06-07 with Quad City has skyrocketed meteorically to the top of the crop in IHL goal-scoring prowess with 15. He is 8(9-6-15) in his last 8-games, nearly averaging 2-points per game during that span. The past weekend, he delivered a "lusty Luke" 5-points in 2-games; 2(2-3-5) with a stellar +4 rating and 6-SOG.

THE "HANK BANK": Veteran right wing Henry Kuster has reclaimed his zeal and zest for the game through his first-ever season in Muskegon. In 2-games the past weekend, he was 2(1-2-3) with 1-PPG, which climaxed his club's 3-goal unanswered second period salvo Saturday night against Kalamazoo. The CHL refugee attained a masterful + 3 rating for the week. Kuster tops the team in PPG with 4.

GENERAL MCARTHUR: Nine-year pro defenseman Darryl McArthur seems to always be on the scene as a lean, mean fighting machine. He, again, was at the top of his game the past weekend, authoring 1-assist in each game as well as recording two more premium, positive plus games for his portfolio. For the week; 2(0-2-2) with a +3 rating and 8-SOG with 6 of those blazed in Saturday night's verdict over Kalamazoo. He is tied for the best plus rating in the entire IHL at +15.

A FEW FROM MATTHEW: All-Star defenseman Matt Gens has been fashioning his perennial all-star form more and more as the season moves forward. The offensive-minded rearguard connected on a stoked strike each night the past weekend, including the ultimate GWG in Saturday night's triumph over Kalamazoo. For the week, he was 2(2-1-3) with a rating of +2 and 4-SOG. He is currently Muskegon's second top scoring defenseman. In his last 9(3-7-10).

SPECIAL TEAMS TREATMENT: Ranked #3 in the league, the Lumberjacks power play is operating at 17.7% proficiency with their 79-advantages being 21-fewer than all other teams in the loop. Muskegon also has registered 4-less PPG than the rest of the league. They are only 1 for the last 21 for a conversion rating of 4.8%. In the meantime, the penalty-killing cast has been extremely effective in recent action. Ranked league 5th and on the rise, the unit is 75-94 for the year for an efficiency mark of 79.8%. The 'Jacks have been shorthanded 7-fewer times than the rest of the league. They have immobilized 22 of the last 24 advantages afforded the adversary for a rating of an excellent 91.7%. The Lumberjacks 4-SHG tie them for the league lead with Fort Wayne while they are the lone team in the IHL to have not yet yield a SHGA.

NUMBERS GAME FAME: Lumberjacks head coach Bruce Ramsay (96) is 4-victories away from becoming the third coach in the modern era of Muskegon pro hockey annals to attain the century plateau. Henry Kuster (495) is 5-points away from pro career 500. Kyle Kos (497) is 3-games shy of pro career 500-games. Billy Collins (90) is 10-assists from the pro 100. Matt Gens (98) is 2-points shy of career 100. Todd Robinson's second goal Friday night against Port Huron was the 250th of his illustrious pro career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When they defeated Kalamazoo Saturday night, 4-1, the 'Jacks remained undefeated on home ice on Saturday nights this year at 4(4-0-0). With that same win, Muskegon ran its home unbeaten over the Wings to 5-in a row; 5(5-0-0), outscoring them, 18-6. The 'Jacks continue as the loop's best 2nd period team, outscoring the opposition overall, 33-15 and 22-8 on home ice. Muskegon has scored the FG in 12 of 18-games, posting a mark of 12(9-2-1). Entering the third period with the lead, the 'Jacks are perfect at 8(8-0-0). Muskegon is unblemished when it scores a SHG 4(4-0-0) and when scoring a 3-goal "hat trick," 5(5-0-0).

REWIND THE WEEKEND: Playing 2-games in 2-nights, the Lumberjacks divided the pair, both at home. Friday night, they bowed to Port Huron, 6-4, succumbing to a visitors 4-goal opening period outburst before narrowing a daunting deficit of 5-1 to 5-4. Todd Robinson (2-2-4)+4, Luke Stauffacher (1-2-3)+3 and Matt Gens (1-0-1) were the Muskegon marksmen. Isaac Reichmuth rebuffed 22-shots in goal. Saturday night, the 'Jacks rebounded with a 4-1 conquest of Kalamazoo. It was a 3-goal unanswered 2nd period siege that cemented the success for the home town team. Stauffacher (1-1-2)FG, Henry Kuster (1-1-2)PPG, Gens (1-1-2)GWG and Billy Collins each made connection with Robinson orchestrating a pair of helpers. Reichmuth was superlative with 27-saves.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12TH FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

The fourth collision of the season between two long-time fractious foes and the second in Muskegon. The 'Jacks are 3(3-0-0) against the coronated kingpins Komets; 1(1-0-0) in Muskegon on the strength of a 6-4 verdict back on November 7th and 2(2-0-0) at the Indiana hamlet where they have extracted victories by results of 5-4 on November 14th and 3-1 on November 29th.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH FLINT AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Also two long-time archenemies as the 'Jacks and the Generals lock antlers for the fifth time this season and the third time in Muskegon where the 'Jacks have earned a mark of 2(2-0-0), outscoring Flint, 13-9. Muskegon is 2(1-0-1) on the East side of the state. In the last clash at Flint the 'Jacks spirited away a single point in a 6-5 OT affair.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 7, 2008


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