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Lumberjacks surge to second

February 9, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


LUMBERJACKS LINERS: In the end, the Lumberjacks made something from nearly nothing when they salvaged the fourth and final game of a daunting, demanding slate comprised of 4-games in 5-nights the past week. Under the astute auspices of third year head coach Bruce Ramsay, Muskegon crowned its somewhat mystifying week with a spine-tingling, spellbinding, riveting 4-3 comeback OT triumph at Fort Wayne against the reigning coronated ones, the Komets. With that win, the Lumberjacks surged into a share of second place circuit supreme in the desultory International Hockey League standings with the K's. Having participated in the fewest games in the league at this stage of the season, the Lumberjacks, through 45-games, have compiled a sparkling record of 44(25-14-6) totaling 56-points. They have inched to within 3-points of league-leading Port Huron 47(28-16-3) 59-points with, still, 2-games in hand on an Icehawks squad which is 19(12-4-3) in its last 19-decisions, having won 3-in succession at home. As for the Fort Wayners, the Lumberjacks still maintain 2-games in hand. The Komets are 11(6-1-4) in their last 11-outings and an unblemished mark of 5(3-0-2) in hostile territory in the last 5-expeditions abroad. Muskegon is warily maintaining a minuscule 2-points advantage over fourth place Kalamazoo 46(27-19-0) 54-points with the 'Jacks having one more game in hand. The Wings are 15(6-9-0) in their last 15-decisions with 5 of those 6-triumphs coming by way of extra time; either OT or the OTSO. In fact, the Wings have managed a mere single outright victory since the inception of the new calendar year of 2009. They are 7(1-6-0) in their last 7-offerings abroad. Torrid fifth place Bloomington 46(20-22-4) 44-points is creeping up the ladder in their quest with zest for a coveted Turner Cup playoff berth. The Prairie Thunder, on the impetus of a club record 11-game undefeated skein at 11(8-0-3), have closed to within 10-points of Kalamazoo for such hallowed ground. For the second straight week, the Lumberjacks confront the rigors and demands of another week consisting of 4-games in 5-nights. This Wednesday night, the 'Jacks conclude their 2-game home-and-home series by hosting Fort Wayne before awaiting the invasion of nemesis Bloomington on Friday night. Then it's on the road for the balance of the weekend. The Lumberjacks will be in Flint on Saturday night before sojourning to Port Huron for a date with the Icehawks on Sunday evening.

PROMO PRIDE: For their two home appearances for this upcoming week, the Lumberjacks are presenting a great promotional activity sure to stimulate positive action for the greater Muskegon area. On Wednesday night, when the Lumberjacks host Fort Wayne, all fans in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to the Lumberjacks very next follow-ing home game coming up this Friday night when Bloomington comes back to town.

CLOSE IN TO WIN: This past week, the Lumberjacks compiled a rather mundane mark of 4(1-1-2), collecting 4 of a possible 8-points. However, the lone victory was one of great impact, import and magnitude as they doused the Komets in Fort Wayne in OT, 4-3. For the season, Muskegon's record stands at 45(25-14-6) for 56-points. With a winning percentage of a lofty .622, the 'Jacks have attained the league's second best mark in this category. Only league-leading Port Huron is superior at .628. Muskegon's 14-defeats also represent the least in the league. The Lumberjacks are 6(3-1-2) in their last 6-efforts; last 10-games; 10(4-4-2); last 18-games; 18(10-4-4); last 24-games; 24(13-6-5). Muskegon's longest unblemished skein of the season is 8(6-0-2). The longest win streaks have been 4-in a row; 4(4-0-0); and a pair of 3-game win streaks; 3(3-0-0). The monthly logs say: October 4(3-1-0); November 12(8-3-1); December 11(4-6-1); January 14(9-3-2); February 4(1-1-2).

HOME TEAM TAME: Despite achieving the league's second best home record at 25(15-7-3), the Lumberjacks trembled twice in as many nights on home ice the past weekend. For the week on home ice, they were 2(0-1-1); gaining one point in the standings through a 5-4 OTSO affair Friday night against upstart Bloomington. On Saturday night, they bowed to Flint, 3-2. The 'Jacks are 11(6-2-3) in their last 11-outings; last 13-home; 13(7-3-3). Longest home win streak this year has been 7-in a row, mirroring the club's initial 7-home appearances of this current campaign. Currently, with a league-high 15-home wins, Muskegon only needs 3-more victories to equal last year's home winning output of 18.

INVADE AND PERVADE: The past week, the Lumberjacks extracted 3 of a maximum 4-points available in a pair of road excursions through a commendable and respectable record of 2(1-0-1). In the process, they elevated the foreign ice log to a favorable mark of 20(10-7-3) which makes the 'Jacks one of only three teams across the circuit to be operating in the hostile enemy environment exceeding the .500 barrier. Muskegon's latest undefeated skein away from home bay has reached 3(2-0-1). They are 10(6-2-2) in the last 10-away and 13(7-3-3) in the past 13-away games. The longest win streak abroad stands at 3-consecutively; 3(3-0-0). Muskegon has sustained only one back-to-back set of defeats in foreign ice warfare thus far this season.

UPGRADE MADE: While they continue as the highest scoring arsenal in the IHL, the Lumberjacks seemed to be showing some real positive signs in the GA department. Since the nativity of the second half of the current campaign, the Lumberjacks have sported a record of 7(3-2-2), outscoring the addled and agog adversary, 25-21. That's an excellent GAA of 3.00, a vast improvement from earlier on in this season. For the campaign, overall, the Lumberjacks are averaging 4.05 GFA and yielding at 3.87 GAA and still shrinking!

EXTRA TIME ENOUGH TIMES: This past week, three of the Lumberjacks 4-games in 5-nights were prolonged to extra time in the form of either OT or OTSO. They were 3(1-0-2) in that span, coming up shy twice in a row against Bloomington before ambushing the Komets in Fort Wayne on Sunday night, 4-3 OT. The 'Jacks are 10(4-6-0) in extra time thus far this season; OT: 5(2-3-0); HOME: 1(0-1-0); ROAD: 4(2-2-0). In the OTSO, they are 5(2-3-0); HOME: 3(1-2-0); ROAD: 2(1-1-0). Eight of the last 16-Lumberjacks games have been protracted to extra time at this hour of the campaign.

HONOR ROLL RICH: Todd Robinson 44(18-58-76) continues to be at the top of the mountain in league-wide scoring with Luke Stauffacher 39(22-20-42) ranked #12 and Chad Woollard 33(22-15-37) listed 20th. Stauffacher and Woollard's 22-goals rank as tied for 5th in the loop while Robinson's 58-assists are 19-more than the rest of the league. "T. Rob's" 21-PP/Assists equal the league-leadership and his 4-GWG tie him for 3rd most IHL. Robin Bouchard ranks #1 in IHL shooting percentage, 18/71; .25.3% with Stauffacher #2 at 22/112; .198. Robinson (2) and Frank Littlejohn (2) share the league's top spot in SHG. In the PIM department, Steven Later (176) is #1 in the IHL with Littlejohn (144) ranked 5th. Littlejohn's 32-minors are 4th most and Later's 12-majors tie him for 3rd most in the IHL. In rookie scoring, Maxime Lincourt 42(14-16-30) is 5th; Chad Costello 44(10-19-29) is 6th and Alec Kirschner 44(3-20-23) is listed 7th. Lincourt's 14-goals rank rookie 3rd most, with Kirschner's 20-assists ranking 3rd and Costello's 19-helpers are listed 4th. Lincourt 14/89; .157 is #1 in rookie shooting accuracy; Costello is 3rd; 10-72; .139. Alex Lamontagne is 2nd in rookie PIM with 106 and 4th in minor penalties with 23. For the defense; Darryl McArthur 45(7-27-34) is #3 and Matt Gens 43(8-24-32) is 4th in point productivity with Adam Bartholomay 35(6-12-18) ranked 13th. McArthur's 4-PPG tie him for 3rd most and his 14-PP/Assists rank second best on the blue line. McArthur's 27-overall assists rank #2 best and Gens 24-assists rank him right behind at #3. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool ranks 4th with a 3.02 GAA. His .917 SPCT is second best in the league.

BAZOOKA BLAST BLITZ: Fifteen year veteran right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is on another one of his unmistakable, incomparable, inimitable, ineffable scoring scourges. In the 4-games this past week, "Bouch Almighty" was brilliant as he ripped 8-goals, added 3-assists for 11-points with 6-PIM, 25-SOG and brilliant +8 rating. Included in his week's work were one #1 Star, one #2 Star and one #3 Star. He cannonaded 1-FG; 1-GTG; 1-FG; 2-PG; 3-TBG; 3-PPG and one dramatic OT/GWG. "The Gun-Sling King" contributed 3-consecutive multiple goals games for the week along with 4-consecutive multi-point game masterpieces. He accounted for 11 of the 'Jacks 15-GF for the week. Currently, Bouchard has equaled the IHL standard this season for longest goal streak of the season at 6(11-4-15) and still counting while in his last 13-games, he has uncorked 18-goals among his 23-total points. His 621 career goals rank #6 al-time in minor pro hockey history. Bouchard is the Lumberjacks nomination for Pepsi / IHL Player of the Week.

FIRST WIN WHIZ: The Lumberjacks newest goaltender, John Ceci made two starts in goal the past week. In the second one, on Sunday night in Fort Wayne, he achieved his first-ever Lumberjacks victory in a superlative 35-saves performance as his team dispatched the Komets, 4-3 (OT). In both of his starts this past week, Ceci saw his workload pushed past regulation time as he saw service in both OT and the OTSO. For the week, he posted a record of 2(1-0-1) with a 3.33 GAA and excellent .907 SPCT. Ceci is the Lumberjacks nomination for Southern Sports Supply / IHL Goaltender of the Week.

PLUS BUS "BART": Adam Bartholomay continues his emergence as a much-valued presence in the Lumberjacks lineup; both at the forward position and back on defense. From the U. of Nebraska - Omaha, he collected 2-points in 4-games the past week on 4(0-2-2) while continuing as the Lumberjacks best plus player on the team. For the week, "Bart" was a sound and solid +3 with 6-SOG. For the season, he stands alone as the Lumberjacks best plus player with a rating of a stellar +13. Bartholomay is the Lumberjacks nomination for Aquafina / IHL Rookie of the Week.

TOP TODD: The league's leading scoring ace, center Todd Robinson still represents the embodiment of pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot play and performance. The past week, "T. Rob" was utterly brilliant as he engineered 9-points in 4-games on 1-goal, 8-assists, 9-points with a +6 rating. For the week he delivered 3-more multiple point games, increasing his total to a league best 23-multiple point games attained in just 44-games. The Lumberjacks captain is currently riding the rising rapids of a 6-game scoring streak with 6(1-11-12) in that span.

BILLY C.'s SLICK STICK: Center Billy Collins is beginning to find the range with his goal-scoring stylings. The past week, he fashioned 3-sharp goals including a pair in Sunday night's gigantic, dynamic and dramatic come-from-behind OT triumph at Fort Wayne against the reigning league kingpins. For the week, he was 4(3-0-3) with a personal salvo of 21-SOG with 12 of those being brewed last Wednesday night in Bloomington. Collins' 12-SOG duplicated the single game team high this year earlier achieved by left wing Chad Woollard.

MATTHEW MAJESTIC: Top-flight defenseman Matt Gens is on his game and on the scoreboard with his resourceful offensive repertoire. The 5-year pro enjoyed another outstanding week of generating and percolating offense for the 'men of lumber." Registering points in 3 of his club's 4-games, the former St. Cloud State star authored 6-points in 4-games on 2-goals, 4-assists with 16-SOG. Both of his goals came as the beneficiaries of the power play. In his last 6-games, Gens has collected 8-points on 3-goals, 5-assists.

POWER PLAY PROPS: The league's top-ranked power play still belongs to the Lumberjacks at 47-211 for a proficiency rating of 22.3. With an excellent 2-6 performance in Sunday's spellbinding OT triumph at Fort Wayne, the Muskegon power play artillery is firing free style at 29 for the last 87 for a conversion rating of an extraordinary 33.3%. On the penalty-killing unit, vicissitudes abound. Muskegon presently is rated 5th at 177-225 for a rating of 78.7%. The opposition is 5 for the last 37 for an efficiency rating for the 'Jacks of 86.6%. The Lumberjacks have scored 5-SHG and surrendered only 2-SHGA thus far this season; the least in the league in the latter category.

LUMBERJACK ALMANAC: With his 8-goals in 4-games the past week, Robin Bouchard's career total presently stands at 621 and still counting. Billy Collins 314(94-96-190) is just 6-goals away, 4-assists away from 100 in each category and 10-points from pro career 200-points. Matt Gens (92) is 8-assists away from career 100. Todd Robinson (889) is just 11-points away from 900.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": When they defeated the Komets Sunday in Fort Wayne, 4-3 (OT), it marked Muskegon's 4th win in 5-dates in the Indiana city thus far this season. The Lumberjacks are currently in the midst of playing 14-games in 25-days in February with 9 of those games being played on the road. Through their first 7-games of the second half of the season,, the 'Jacks record stands at 7(3-2-2). Since the beginning of the new calendar year, the 'Jacks have orchestrated a record of 21(12-5-4). The 'Jacks are undefeated on the road on Sunday this season at 3(3-0-0). They are 5(4-1-0) overall on that day of the week.

REWIND THE WEEK: Seeing action through 4-games in 5-nights, the 'Jacks responded with a mark of 4(1-1-2), garnering 4 of a possible 8-points. Wednesday night in Bloomington, in the opening game of a 2-game home-and-home series, the 'Jacks frittered away 3-leads to eventually settle for one-point in a 5-4 OTSO decision. Robin Bouchard triggered the 3-goal "hat trick" for the local team, including 2-PPG. Maxime Lincourt caged a single and Todd Robinson distributed 3-assists and Matt Gens assisted twice more. Muskegon came up shy in the OTSO, 2-0. Friday night, the series changed venues to Muskegon where it seemed the same script was nearly followed. This time, though, the 'Jacks could not secure two third period leads only to settle, again with an OTSO of emptiness in a 6-5 OTSO affair. Bouchard (2-1-3), Robinson (1-2-3), Gens (1-1-2)PP and Billy Collins all connected. In the OTSO, the 'Jacks were out-goaled, 1-0. With Flint in town Saturday night, the 'Jacks had a suspect first period as Flint connected 3-times. Once, again, it was Bouchard accounting for the firepower with both of his team's goals. Sunday, in Fort Wayne, the Lumberjacks salvaged the week in grand style and grand fashion as they rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to overcome the Komets, 4-3 in OT. Bouchard, one more time with the GWG/PPG/OT at 1:12 of the extra session. He had (1-2-3); Gens (1-1-2)PPG, and Billy Collins with a pair of thrusts led the Lumberjacks with John Ceci posting his first-ever victory in the Muskegon goal.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH FORT WAYNE AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

The second installment of this two game, home-and-home series following the 'Jacks electrifying 4-3 come-from-behind OT victory Sunday in Indiana. Muskegon leads the season series 10(6-4-0). However, although they are flourishing in Fort Wayne this year with a stellar 5(4-1-0) mark, the 'Jacks are only 5(2-3-0) at home against the defending champions. Through the first 10-meetings of the season, the home team has reigned supreme only 3-times.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Perhaps, the most torrid team in the IHL at this hour of the season is Bloomington which is presently riding the crest of an impressive, club record 11-game undefeated streak at 11(8-0-3) with 7 of those contests proceeding to the OTSO. Muskegon is 11(6-3-2) against the Prairie Thunder so far this season but are winless at 3(0-1-2) in the last trio of dates. Three of the last 4-clashes between the two teams have been extended to extra time, either by way of OT or the OTSO.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:30 PM

The third of four consecutive Saturday night dates between the two long-term rivals as the 'Jacks make their first appearance in Flint since November. They are 2(1-0-1) in Perani Arena this year. Muskegon currently leads the season series, 7(4-2-1). The Lumberjacks will be looking to exact some form of retribution and / or reprisals this time around after the Generals came to town last Saturday night and ambushed Muskegon, 3-2.

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

For the tenth time the two teams will tangle and for the fifth time they will do so in McMorran Place Arena where the 'Jacks are 4(1-2-1) this season. Overall, against the league-leaders, Muskegon is 9(4-3-2). The Lumberjacks begin the week just 3-points back of Port Huron with 2-games in hand. The Icehawks launch the new week with a 3-game win streak on home ice.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 9, 2009


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