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Lumberjacks surge to second

January 19, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


LUMBERJACKS LINERS: Completing yet another unsullied week of game action the past week, the surging Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have soared into a share of second place in the league standings on the strength of an undefeated streak that has actually originated with the turning of the calendar and the New Year of 2009. Under the direction of third-year head coach Bruce Ramsay, the high-tech, high-octane Lumberjacks capped the past week's workload of 4-games in 6-days, unblemished with a mark of 4(3-0-1). In the process, the home town team has extended its present undefeated skein to a season's best 8-straight games at 8(6-0-2); their longest in this department for this season. Soaring into a tie for second place in the league standings with archrival Kalamazoo, the Lumberjacks have collected 46-points in only 35-games on an overall record of 35(21-10-4) and the league's best winning percentage of .657. Moreover, Muskegon and Kalamazoo 37(23-14-0) 46-points have crept to within 3-points of first place Port Huron 39(24-14-1)49-points with the Icehawks sustaining back-to-back defeats the past weekend for the first time since November with both setbacks incurred at home. The Lumberjacks and the K-Wings have only laid claim to a minuscule one-point advantage over defending league champion fourth place Fort Wayne 39(20-14-5) 45-points. Muskegon continues to enjoy the potential of much-treasured games in hand on all member clubs in the league. With a scant 4-points distinguishing the top 4-teams in the league, the Lumberjacks have 4-games in hand on both Port Huron and Fort Wayne while enjoying 2-games in hand on Kalamazoo. This week, the men of "Lumbertown" face another demanding, daunting assignment of 3-games in 3-days with the initial one abroad and the latter two at home at Walker Arena. Friday night, the 'Jacks journey to Bloomington to invade the premises of the Prairie Thunder before returning to Muskegon for a pair of weekend encounters on the Walker Arena ice; Saturday night against Fort Wayne and Sunday Port Huron comes to town. Sunday has been designated "$5 Sunday at 5 as all seats will be specially-priced for everyone at all ages for only $5.

"PRIMO PROMOS": The new Lumberjacks organization has yet another fun-filled, fan and family-friendly week-end on tap for the Lakeshore community coming up this weekend. On Saturday night, when the 'Jacks play host to Fort Wayne, the annual, ever-popular "Great Airplane Toss" night will be featured for special prizes. Sunday has been designated "$5 Sunday at 5 when the Lumberjacks tangle with first place Port Huron at 5:00 pm at Walker Arena. Every seat for everyone will be specially-priced at only $5 on this Sunday date.

IN IT TO WIN IT: The past week, the Lumberjacks culminated another undefeated week with a 4(3-0-1) composite. In so doing, Muskegon, remarkably remained unbeaten in its initial 8-games of the new calendar year at 8(6-0-2). Furthermore, in their last 10-games; 10(7-1-2); last 14-games; 14(9-2-3). Their current 8-games' unbeaten streak represents their longest of the current campaign. The last outright setback incurred by Muskegon was back on New Year's Eve of the past calendar year when they were submerged at Kalamazoo, 7-3. The longest win streaks of the season have been a 4-game win streak; 4(4-0-0) and two 3-game win skeins; 3(3-0-0). For the season, the 'Jacks record of 35(21-10-4) 46-points ranks as the best in the IHL with a win percentage of .657. Their 10-setbacks are 4-fewer than all other IHL member clubs. The monthly numbers: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 11(4-6-1); January 8(6-0-2).

TRIFECTA TRIPPING: By virtue of their thrilling 3-2 OTSO triumph Sunday night at Fort Wayne, the Lumber-jacks have achieved their longest win streak abroad this campaign at 3-in succession; 3(3-0-0). Their last undoing away from home bay was New Year's Eve in Kalamazoo where they were humbled by the Wings, 7-3. For the season, Muskegon has posted an excellent foreign ice log of 15(8-5-2) with the scant 5-setbacks tied with Port Huron for league-least. On the road, the 'Jacks are 6(4-1-1) in their last 6-games and 9(5-2-2) in their last 9-excursions. Muskegon has yet to suffer back-to-back defeats on the road thus far this season. Muskegon has extracted road victories from every league hamlet this season with the lone exclusion being in Kalamazoo where they have only played twice thus far this season.

SCORE 4 OR MORE! Since opening night way back in mid-October to today, the Lumberjacks continue as the highest scoring machine in the league. Through 35-games, they have cannonaded 149-GF for a GFA of a prolific 4.26.

The 'Jacks have scored 4 or more goals in 25 of their first 35-games this campaign, an extraordinary attainment. In fact, there have been only 4-games this season in which Muskegon did not score at least 3-goals in a single game. For the season, the Lumberjacks have connected on 149-GF in 35-games for a GFA of a prolific 4.26. Defensively, the Lumberjacks are making some significant inroads. Spurred by the superior goaltending of Clayton Pool, Muskegon has grudgingly surrendered 28-GA during the 8-game unbeaten streak for a GAA of 3.32.

EXTRA TIME TALES: The Lumberjacks culminated the past week with consecutive overtime affairs against Kalamazoo at home on Saturday night and in Fort Wayne on Sunday. Actually 4 of the club's last 7-games have resulted in such fashion. For the season, the Lumberjacks are 4(1-3-0) in overtime and 1(0-1-0) at home while being 3(1-2-0) abroad. In the OTSO, they are 2(1-1-0); 1(0-1-0) at home and 1(1-0-0) on the road.

TOP DRAWER DRIVE: Center Todd Robinson 34(17-44-61) continues to lead the IHL in scoring with Luke Stauffacher 35(22-20-42) rated 10th and Chad Woollard 12th; 32(22-15-37). Stauffacher and Woollard's 22-goals tie them for second highest in the league while Robinson's 44-assists are foremost in the loop. Woollard's 12-PPG pace the league and Robinson's 15-PP/Assists rank as 3rd best in the IHL. Robinson's 4-GWG rank #3 in the league. Robinson (2) and Frank Littlejohn (2) lead the league in SHG. Stauffacher ranks a lofty second league-wide in shooting percentage at 22/97; .227. Littlejohn (131) ranks third in the IHL in PIM with Steven Later 5th (108) Littlejohn's 28-minors rank tied for #3 in the league. In the rookie scoring department; Maxime Lincourt 31(12-15-27) is 4th in this year's rookie class; Chad Costello 34(10-16-26) is 5th. Alec Kirschner 34(2-15-17) is rookie 10th. Lincourt's 12-goals are #3 and Costello's 16-overall assists and 4-PP/Assists rank rookie 3rd most. Costello is the IHL rookie kingpin in shooting percentage, 10/55; .182; Lincourt is 3rd 12/72; .167. Alex Lamontagne (94) ranks rookie runner-up in PIM; his 17-minors are 5th. On the defense, Darryl McArthur 35(6-20-26) is ranked 4th in scoring; Matt Gens 33(5-17-22) is 7th; Adam Bartholomay 24(5-10-15) is listed 13th. McArthur's 9-PP/Assists rank 5th.

GUN-SLING KING BLING: Veteran right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is back in the act on the Jack attack as evidenced the past week. The 15-year pro, now in his 12th Muskegon campaign, collected 6-points in 4-games, including 4-goals, 2-assists with 2-PIM, +1 rating and 17-SOG. Named the #2 Star Saturday night in the showdown with Kalamazoo, "Bouch Almighty" fired a pair of strikes 3:02 apart in the second period to expunge a 3-1 deficit and forge a 3-3 tie. He also delivered a key, touch in the clutch FG in the 'Jacks OTSO triumph Sunday at Fort Wayne. For the week, he delivered 1-multiple goal game and 2-multi-point games. Ranked 6th on the all-time minor pro hockey goal-scoring list with 607, the 'Jacks famous #32 is currently on a 5-games' point streak; 5(4-4-8) as well as a 3-game goal streak; 3(4-1-5). Bouchard is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.

LEATHER LARCENY: Goaltender Clayton Pool has been brilliant since returning to lineup as the Lumberjacks ace, #1 goalkeeper. In seeing service in every game in every minute the past 4-game work week, he assembled another undefeated week of puck prevention attention by Pool in posting a 4(3-0-1) mark with a 3.15 GAA and .919 SPCT. He remains, remarkably, unblemished in the regular season at 10(7-0-3) with a 3.22 GAA and .919 SPCT. Pool is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

CHAD CHALKS IT: Rookie right wing Chad Costello is coming into his own for his Lumberjacks team and it could not have come at a more opportune time. The past week, the former 2006 USHL scoring titlist acted the role of playmaker extraordinaire when he engineered 3-assists in 4-games with a +1 rating. Thus far in his first season with the pros, he has been magnificent. In his last 14-games, he is averaging over one point per game; 14(5-12-17). He is also tied for the IHL rookie leadership in GWG with 2. Costello is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.

LIGHTNING ROD TODD: The IHL's top scoring mogul, center Todd Robinson continues to build his lead in his bid for a second scoring crown through the past 3-campaigns. The past week, "T. Rob" was 4(2-5-7) with 2-GWG and 2-multi-point games. He delivered the GWG Tuesday in the 5-2 triumph over Fort Wayne and later climaxed the week with the ultimate GWG with the last shot of the OTSO Sunday as his team emanated and culminated the work week with wins over the defending champions. Robinson has connected for the GWG in 3 of the 'Jacks last 4-victories. In his last 6-games; 6(4-7-11).

POWER PLAY PLAYER: Ten-year veteran left wing Chad Woollard has emerged as a key, kinetic component in the Lumberjacks designs for title timber this season. Averaging over a goal a game in his last 15-outings; 14(15-7-22), he has taken over the lead in PPG at 12 with 8 of those fired and wired in those last 14-games. In that span, Woollard has connected on 5-multiple goal games, 3-GWG and one 3-goal "hat trick.." In his last 5-games; 5(4-4-8).

"STOFF STASH": Left wing and right wing Luke Stauffacher is also unholstering humming howitzers at this stage of the season. For the week, he averaged a point a game; 4(2-2-4). In his last 6-games; 6(4-4-8). Stauffacher has been especially effective and productive in multiple goal games as he tops the team and the league in that category with 7 of them. He also has 12-multi-points games to his credit for his first season with Muskegon and the Lumberjacks.

COMBINATION SENSATION: The All-Star defensive combination of Matt Gens and Dan Boeser has, at long last. been reunited which was the original plan upon their signings the past off-season. It has become a Muskegon combination worth watching and witnessing. The two American-bred Minnesotans, are generating plenty of offense without the slight hint of compromising the integrity of their defensive prowess. For the season, Gens is 33(5-17-22) with the team's best plus rating +14 and Boeser, in his brief stint thus far, has assembled a 5-games' point streak composed of 5(2-5-7) including 2-PPG and 1-GWG. For his short season thus far, Boeser is 12(2-7-9).

POUR ON THE POWER: Though they had their 9-games power play goal scoring streak severed Sunday in their 3-2 OTSO triumph at Fort Wayne, the 'Jacks power play has skyrocketed meteorically from 6th to 1st; worst to first; from stupor to super. Muskegon is 11 for the last 23 for a lusty 47.8% proficiency rating; 15 for the last 34; 44.1% and 16 for the last 38. For the year, the power play is #1 in the IHL at 33-157 for an efficiency rating 21.1%. The penalty-killing cast also has become very effective in recent vintage, extinguishing 21 of the last 23 advantages afforded the adversary for an efficiency rating of stellar 90.4%.

THE LOOK AT THE BOOK: Robin Bouchard's next power play goal will be the 200th PPG of his Muskegon pro career. Goaltender Clayton Pool (195) is 5-games away from the Muskegon 200. Billy Collins (90) is 10-goals shy of Muskegon 100 and (95) 5-assists from the Muskegon 100 as well. Frank Littlejohn (192) is 8-assists away from pro career 200.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Since the first incarnation of the Lumberjacks exited and the dawning of a new Muskegon era and franchise in 1992, Muskegon has won 699-games as a bona fide franchise. Muskegon goes for #700 Friday night at Bloomington. The 'Jacks became the last team in the IHL to surrender a SHGA when the incident occurred Sunday in their 3-2 OTSO win at Fort Wayne. Muskegon has shown vast improvement since 1-year ago when the record was 35(18-15-2)38-points. They are presently 3-wins, 5-losses and 8-points superior to a year ago. Muskegon has yet to suffer a setback when entering the third period either leading or tied; 20(18-0-2).

WEEK'S WRAP-UP: Playing 4-games in 6-days in an ambitious agenda, the 'Jacks remained undefeated in the New Year of 2009; 4(3-0-1) for the week. Last Tuesday on the 4th annual Education Day game, the 'Jacks jolted Fort Wayne, 5-2. Todd Robinson (2-1-3)FG/GWG, Chad Woollard (1-1-2)PPG, Adam Bartholomay (IG) and Dan Boeser (PPG) were the sharpshooters for the victors and Clayton Pool made 39-saves to preserve the victory. Friday night, also at home against Bloomington, the 'Jacks responded with a resounding pounding of 7-4 over the Prairie Thunder. Luke Stauffacher (2-0-2)FG, Woollard (1-2-3)PPG; Robin Bouchard (1-1-2)PPG; Matt Gens (1-1-2)PPG, Dan Boeser (1-1-2)PPG/GWG and Billy Collins all made connection; Chad Costello had 2-assists. Pool was strong in goal with 33-saves. The 'Jacks scored a season-high 4-PPG in their conquest in this contest. Saturday night, the 'Jacks closed the 5-game home stand in earning one precious point in the standings through an 5-4 OT affair against archenemy Kalamazoo. Muskegon actually rallied twice from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to gain the one point. Bouchard (2-0-2)PG/GTG, Frank Littlejohn (FG) and Bartholomay (GTG/PPG), Robinson had 2-assists. Sunday at Fort Wayne, the 'Jacks prevailed in the OTSO, 3-2. Collins (FG) and Bouchard struck in regulation time before, Bouchard and Robinson connected on consecutive shots in the OTSO to secure the victory. Pool was spectacular in this one with 44-saves.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD THE LUMBERJACKS AT BLOOMINGTON 8:00 PM

The ninth clash between the two teams and the fifth in Bloomington where Muskegon has claimed 3 of its initial 4-trips so far this year; 4(3-1-0). Muskegon owns a remarkable road record lifetime in the Illinois city at 16(10-3-3). The Lumberjacks lead the season series, 8(6-2-0), having won the last 4-in succession.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Also the ninth time these two teams tussle and the fifth time in Muskegon where the 'Jacks are 4(2-2-0) this season following a 5-2 trumping of the K's back on January 13th. Overall, the Lumberjacks have captured the last 2-contests and lead the season series over the defending league champions, 8(5-3-0).

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH PORT HURON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 5:00 PM

When these two teams tangle later this week, it will mark the eighth time they have matched-up and the fifth time in Muskegon. The Lumberjacks are 7(3-2-2) against the league-leaders at this stage of the season and 4(2-1-1) at home.

The Lumberjacks are beginning the week only 3-points behind the front-runners with 4-games in hand.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 19, 2009


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