Muskegon Fury game notes

Published on November 1, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES:

After the initial three games of their season-inaugurating five games' home stand, the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have achieved an utterly perfect record following convincing conquests over Elmira on opening night, and the past weekend, against Fort Wayne and Missouri on consecutive nights. In the process, the men of the Fury are an impressive 3(3-0-0), outscoring their vanquished rivals by a considerable advantage of 18-7. Under the doctrine of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Fury have a quest with zest to launch their latest title defense season by capturing all five of these early momentous home appearances. Muskegon has attained the regal distinction of being one of only three teams in the league that are still perfect after the opening two weeks of the embryonic campaign. Western Division front-running Rockford has raced to a 6(6-0-0) beginning of the winning while Muskegon's nearby Central Division rival Kalamazoo has matched the home town team's heady 3(3-0-0) brew. From the early season returns, it does appear that the Michigan-only Central Division will be a fiercely-competitive and hotly-contended banner chase as all five member teams have made major statements with their promising, positive on-ice exploits. The Fury will find out for themselves this third weekend of the campaign as they will collide with a trio of in-division combatants in as many nights with the first two bouts concluding the long home stand. Friday night, the long-time archenemies, the Flint Generals come calling before the Kalamazoo Wings make their way to the corner of Fourth Street and W. Western Avenue, downtown on Saturday night. The Fury will finally make their first foreign ice journey Sunday when they travel to "The Garage" in Fraser to be hosted by their former Colonial Cup II 2002 coach Danton Cole and his Motor City Mechanics.

THE RECORD REVERED:

In dousing both Fort Wayne, 6-3 on Friday night and Missouri, 9-3 Saturday night, torrid "Team Title" advanced and enhanced their early season mark to a perfect 3(3-0-0) totaling 6-points. This equals the Muskegon mark of one year ago when the two-time kingpins also claimed victory in each of their initial three starts. Last season, the Muskegonites established a club record for fastest start ever with a brilliant 10-games' unblemished skein at 10(9-0-1). Dating back to last regular season, "Todd's Team" has compiled a majestic mark of 34(25-5-4) in the last 35-games and 53(38-10-5) over the past 53-decisions. They are 59(41-12-6) in the last 59-dates. In 2004-05, the Fury's longest win streak was 9-in a row while their longest undefeated skeins were a league-best and club record 17-games; 17(14-0-3) and two 10-game undefeated streaks; 10(9-0-1).

HOME TEAM TEAR:

Inaugurating the campaign with 3-consecutive home contests conquests, the Fury have sustained their remarkable mastery of their Walker Arena homestead. Last season, they boasted the circuit's supreme mark of 40(31-6-3) with their 31-wins representing 3-more than all other clubs and a new club record. Still incorporating last season, in their last 19-regular season home dates, they have composed a composite record of a sterling 19(17-2-0), outscoring the beleaguered alien ice invaders, 88-35. Furthermore, in their last 61-home decisions, they are a gaudy 61(50-8-3) for a winning percentage of a superlative .844. For this season, thus far, the "Furious Ones" have matched their home ice start of one year ago with the current 3-game win streak. Last season, Muskegon's longest home win streak was 10-in succession.

SEE THE USA IN THE UHL:

Once they perform for the home fans for five games in a row, the Fury will finally board the bus and see the sights in the UHL with their first road affair of the season Sunday at Motor City. Last season, once again, the Fury road show reveled as their 40(20-14-6) would attest. Longest win streak abroad last year was 6-in a row and the longest overall unbeaten streak was 8-straight; 8(5-0-3).

DIVISION PRECISION:

Having achieved that impeccable 3(3-0-0) record, the Fury have earned their triumphs accordingly; against the Western Division: 2(2-0-0) 15-6; Fort Wayne 1(1-0-0)6-3 and Missouri 1(1-0-0)9-3. Against the Eastern Division: 1(1-0-0) 3-1; Elmira 1(1-0-0) 3-1. Three games in three nights this coming weekend for the home team against their own Central Division. The Fury truly prospered within their own division delegation last year with a stellar mark of 32(24-6-2).

LEAGUE-LEADING MEN:

Center Todd Robinson 3(2-8-10) is tied for 3rd in UHL scoring while David Wrigley 3(5-2-7) and Robin Bouchard 3(3-4-7) are tied for 9th in the league scoring derby. Robinson's 8-assists tie him for the league-leadership. Bouchard (2) and Jeff Nelson (2) share 4th best in the loop for PPG. Wrigley shares the UHL-lead in both GWG (2) and SHG (2) while his 5-total goals tie him for #3 in the league. Wrigley's excellent +9 rating ties him for #1 in the UHL. Dave Van Drunen's +7 rating ranks 4th in the circuit. Clay Wilson is #1 in the loop in goal-scoring shooting percentage with 3/7 marksmanship for a splendid .429 rating. Robinson leads the UHL in SHG/points with 3 and he is tied with Van Drunen for SHG/assists with 2. Jason Lawmaster's 7-minor penalties tie him for the league-lead in that department. In UHL rookie scoring, the Fury boast the top 3-sharpshooters; #1 Wrigley (5-2-7); #2 Ryan Keller (1-4-5); #3 Wilson (3-1-4). Keller leads all rookies in PP/assists and points with 3 and total assists with 4. Among UHL defensemen, Van Drunen (1-3-4) and Wilson (3-1-4) are tied for 5th with Wilson's 3-goals topping the league blue line brigade. In the goalkeeping category, Clayton Pool ranks tied for 3rd with a 2.00 GAA with his .927 SPCT 5th best in the league.

EPI-"CENTER":

Veteran center Todd Robinson is off to a sizzling start for the team from Muskegon. The 7-year pro enjoyed a brilliant two games' weekend of point-production prominence. In Friday night's 6-3 dismissal of Fort Wayne, he orchestrated a masterful 5-points' performance with 2-goals, 3-assists and the game's #2 Star. "T.Rob" delivered the tie-breaking/PPG late in the first frame of the game before spurring his team's 2-SHG outburst in the middle stanza; arranging David Wrigley's SHG/GWG before netting one of his own on the shorthanded bandit. Then on Saturday night, playing in his 300th Fury career game, he was the playmaker extraordinaire, authoring 4-assists and a +4 rating, being hailed the #3 Star in the 9-3 romp over Missouri. For the week, the "Robinsonian" numbers were prodigious: 2(2-7-9). For the month of October, he was 3(2-8-10) with a +6 rating. Robinson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week and Player of the Month.

GOALTEND DEFEND:

Star goaltender Clayton Pool continues to shine with more time as he comes of age in the Fury cage. Thus far, in his initial two starts of the season, he has been flawless with a 2(2-0-0) record and a superb 2.00 GAA. Named the #1 Star in his team's 3-1 triumph over Elmira, the former U. of Alberta standout currently ranks 4th in the league with a .927 SPCT. Pool is the Fury's nomination for both Southern Sports Supply / Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.

TOP CHOICE, TOP PICK:

First-year left wing David Wrigley is justifying gigantically why the team with a 4-titles tabbed him their top choice in the March 2005 UHL North American Amateur Draft. The former collegiate standout at Mercyhurst College fashioned a fabulous Fury night Saturday night when he was the veritable virtuoso of a "Texas-sized" 4-goal "hat trick" in a bedazzling 5-points center stage performance. To culminate his night's work, Wrigley achieved a brilliant +6 rating, earning "Star of the Game" honors. In his last 2-starts, he has sparked the Muskegon victories by delivering the ultimate GWG in each as well as an electrifying SHG in both contests. Wrigley is the Fury's nomination for UHL Rookie of the Month.

ROBIN ROOSTER RED LIGHT:

The flamboyant francophone, himself, right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard is still scoring goals after all these years. The Fury premiere career cannoneer engineered yet another bright "red light" weekend night when he amassed 6-points in a pair of offerings; 2(3-3-6). In the Friday night verdict over Fort Wayne, "Bouch Almighty" ripped another one of his patented 3-goal "hat trick" full frontal assaults in a 4-points' evening before assisting two more times in the Saturday night marooning of Missouri. "The Gun-Sling King," as he always does, already paces his team in SOG with 15.

"D-V-D" SPREE:

Nine-year veteran defenseman Dave Van Drunen may be off to his best start, both offensively and defensively in his distinguished career. The Fury All-Star, known more for his defensive-minded on-ice posture, has also contributed some key, kinetic offense. Thus far, he has registered at least one point in each of the Fury's first 3-games; 3(1-3-4), including a pair of helpers Saturday night against Missouri. At the same time, he continues to be an absolute defensive gem as his outstanding +7 rating would validate.

ROOKIES RIDE ROUGHSHOD:

The Fury are younger this year. But they are also quicker, faster, energized and galvanized. In Saturday night's 9-3 dismantling of the Missourians, 8 of the victors 9-strikes were stoked by the youth-ful rookie blend, including all 7 of the consecutive goals that expunged a late second period 3-2 shortfall. UHL Rookie of the Month nominee David Wrigley torched the torrent with 4-goals and 5-points while Clay Wilson fired his first-ever 3-goal "hat trick," all coming in the 6-goal third period blitz, and Ryan Keller climaxed the crescendo with his first-ever pro goal. For the night, the Wrigley-Wilson-Keller rookie act combined for (8-2-10). Not to be outdone, rookie goaltender Kevin LaPointe earned his first-ever pro victory in his Muskegon debut.

SPECIAL TEAMS TONIC:

The Fury special teams continue to be at the focal point of this squadron. In just 3-games, they have already produced 6-PPG; (6-22) for a 27.3% proficiency rating which ranks as circuit 2nd best. The Fury have led the UHL in power play artistry and artillery in each of the last 2-seasons. Meanwhile the penalty-killing cast is coming off a scintillating weekend in which it struck for 3-SHG in 2-games to share the league-leadership for most SHG with Adirondack. Overall, Muskegon ranks a lofty 3rd in the league at 28-30 for an efficiency mark of a masterful 93.3%.

MILESTONES-MEISTERS:

Todd Robinson celebrated becoming only the 5th player in franchise history to play 300-games Saturday night with 4-assists to give him an amazing 301-assists in 300-games. He is the Fury's 2nd all-time leader in assists and points with 416; 300(115-301-416). With the Fury's command-performance 6-3 victory verdict over Fort Wayne Friday night, head coach Todd Nelson became only the third coach in Fury annals to record 100-victories. Only Rich Kromm (130) has collected more wins behind the Fury bench. However, "T. Nel" owns the best win percentage in Fury coaching history; 159(101-40-18) .692. Robin Bouchard's next PPG will be the 150th of his Fury career. He has scored 91-more PPG than any player in Fury history. Todd Robinson's SHG Friday night was the 14th of his Fury career which ranks him #1 all-time in that category. Jason Lawmaster's 2-assists Saturday night vaulted him over the 200-points mark in his pro career.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC":

When the Fury defeated Missouri, 9-3 Saturday night, it pushed their home ice unbeaten streak over the River Otters to 13(11-0-2). Through the first 3-games, the Fury have utterly dominated their opponents in the latter 2-periods, outscoring them by a combined 12-3; including an 8-2 bulge in the third stanza. With their hard-earned 6-3 triumph over Fort Wayne Friday night, the Fury scotched and scuttled the stigma of a 9-game regular season winless skid against the Komets; 9(0-5-4) and 6-game winless slide at home; 6(0-3-3). Though, the Fury have eliminated the K's each of the past two years in the playoffs, winning 8 of 9-games in the process. The Fury currently lead the UHL in SOG with a per- game average of a lusty 6.00 while ranking 2nd in GAA at 2.33.

THE WRAP ON THE WEEK:

The Fury swelled their season-opening record to 3(3-0-0) with a pair of emphatic successes over the weekend. In their Friday 6-3 win over Fort Wayne in Colonial Cup IV revisited, the Fury's top two all-time career scoring kingpins Robin Bouchard (3-1-4) 2-PPG/ENG and Todd Robinson (2-3-5) TBG/PPG/SHG ignited the champions' arsenal. David Wrigley (SHG/GWG) caged a key singleton and Ryan Keller assisted twice. The Muskegon attack featured 3-PPG and 2-SHG with Clayton Pool earning the goalkeeping win with 30-saves. Saturday night, the Fury eradicated a late 2nd period 3-2 deficit with 7-unanswered goals; 6-blazed in the third frame of a 9-3 trouncing of Missouri. On this night, the rookies seized center stage, accounting for 8-goals, including the last 7-strikes. Wrigley (4-1-5) SHG/GWG, Clay Wilson (3-0-3), with all 3-fired in the final frame, Keller (1-1-2) and wily veteran Jeff Nelson (1-2-3)PPG spearheaded the victors assault. Bouchard, Jason Lawmaster and Dave Van Drunen each assisted twice while another rookie, goaltender Kevin LaPointe, in his pro debut, posted his first-ever victory. The Fury out-shot Missouri, 43-23 and 20-4 in the third period.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH FLINT AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The first time these two long-time archenemies will do battle this season. Last season, the Fury claimed the season series rather convincingly, 9(7-2-0), going undefeated at home; 4(4-0-0). The Generals have a new coach in former All-Star Bobby Reynolds who has guided his contingent to a perfect 2(2-0-0) record in their first two road trips.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The first regular season business between two nearby archrivals, though they did lock horns in the pre-season, resulting in a Fury 4-3 OTSO success against the Wings in Muskegon back on October 12th. In 2004-05, for the 5th straight season, mirroring Kalamazoo's existence in the UHL, the Fury captured the season series. It was a Fury 9(7-1-1) advantage last year.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH THE FURY AT MOTOR CITY 5:00 PM

Also the initial greeting and meeting in regular season play for the two divisional foes, though, they, too, clashed in the pre-season by way of a home-and-home series. On the road, the Fury were stopped in a 3-2 OTSO on October 13th before dropping an outright decision on home ice against the Mechanics on October 15th, 4-0. Last season, the Fury dominated this season series as well at 7(6-1-0), going 4(3-1-0) in "The Garage" in Fraser.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 1, 2005


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