Muskegon Fury game notes
November 8, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
TEAM TITLE TALES II:
The two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the high-tech, high-octane Muskegon Fury, have surged augustly into the top spot of the United Hockey League's fiercely-competitive, hotly-contended Central Division on the impetus of three consecutive impressive weekend victories over the likes of fellow fractious foes within their Michigan-only alignment. Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the torrid men of the Fury have elevated their overall record to an impeccable 6(6-0-0) for a total of 12-points while establishing a one-point advantage atop the division. The UHL's all-time top winning team has achieved such lofty success despite the fact of having played the fewest number of games in the circuit at this juncture of the early season. Set to tackle the fourth full week of the 2005-06 campaign, Muskegon's favorite home town pro team has overtaken Motor City 10(5-4-1)11 for first-place, though they have played four less games than the Mechanics who have dropped two in a row following a 4-game win streak. The Fury have gained a four-points advantage over third-place Kalamazoo 6(4-2-0)8 with the Wings only two setbacks incurred on consecutive contests abroad against the last two remaining undefeated teams, the Fury and Western-Division and league-leading Rockford 8(8-0-0)16. Muskegon has claimed a five points cushion over fourth-place Flint 8(3-4-1)7 and a six points lead over fifth-place Port Huron 7(3-4-0)6 which has lost two in a row and has yet to win on the road 3(0-3-0). As far as the overall UHL banner chase is concerned, the Fury are only four points behind Rockford with two games in hand and they are now equal with Eastern-Division front-running Adirondack 8(6-2-0)12 with two games in hand on the Frostbite. Three more games in three nights are on the docket this weekend for the home team with the initial one at home and the latter two away from the central base. Friday night former Fury star goaltender Sylvain Daigle brings his Danbury Trashers to town in a rough and tumble affair at Walker Arena before the Fury get back on the road for a pair of games in Port Huron against the expansion Flags on Saturday night and Sunday evening.
PERFECT PERSONIFIED:
Through the first three weeks of the season, the Fury are perfect with an undefeated mark of 6(6-0-0) for 12-points. In 2004-05, the year of Colonial Cup IV, the Fury launched the season with their best start in franchise history at 10-unbeaten games; 10(9-0-1). However, one year ago at this time, after the first 6-games, the Fury actually had attained a slightly superior record of 6(5-0-1) for 11-points. Dating back to last regular season, "Todd's Team" has compiled a magnificent mark of 37(28-5-4) in the last 38-games and 56(41-10-5) through the last 56-contests. In 2004-05, the Fury's longest victory 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).
HOMESTEAD STELLAR:
The "Furious Ones" inaugurated their regular season schedule with a complete sweep of their 5-games' home stand, dispatching, in order, Elmira, 3-1; Fort Wayne, 6-3; Missouri, 9-3; Flint 6-2; Kalamazoo, 3-2. They outscored the visiting teams by a mammoth margin of 27-11. At this stage of the season, the Fury have matched Rockford 5(5-0-0) for the league's premiere home record. Last season, the "Fury-men" earned the circuit's supreme home mark at 40(31-6-3) with their 31-wins representing three more than all other clubs and a new club record. Still incorporating last season, in their last 21-home dates in regular season play, they have composed a record of a sterling 21(19-2-0), outscoring the foreign ice opposition, 97-39. Furthermore, in their last 63-home decisions, they are a sparkling 63(52-8-3) for a winning percentage of a superb .850. Last season, Muskegon's longest home win streak was 10-in succession.
ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD:
After broaching the season with a highly-successful undefeated 5-game home stand, the Fury were the last UHL club to embark on the road trail and they made the first one on the road a command performance. In their Sunday night 6-1 convincing conquest of Motor City, the Fury pushed their season-opening road undefeated streak to 11-games in succession, dating back to the 1994-95 season. Last season, the Fury road show reveled to the tune of a 40(20-14-6). Longest win streak abroad last year was 6-in a row and the longest unbeaten streak was 8-straight; 8(5-0-3).
DIVISION DOMINATION:
With their perfect 6(6-0-0) record, the Fury have dispatched member clubs representing all three divisions to this point in the schedule. Within their own Central Division, they are 3(3-0-0)15-5; home: 2(2-0-0)9-4; road: 1(1-0-0)6-1. The breakdown: Flint 1(1-0-0)6-2; home: 1(1-0-0)6-2. Kalamazoo 1(1-0-0)3-2; home: 1(1-0-0)3-2; Motor City 1(1-0-0)6-1; road: 1(1-0-0)6-1. In the Western Division: 2(2-0-0)15-6; home: 2(2-0-0)15-6. The breakdown: Fort Wayne 1(1-0-0)6-3; Missouri 1(1-0-0)9-3. Eastern Division: 1(1-0-0)3-1; home: 1(1-0-0)3-1. The breakdown: Elmira 1(1-0-0)3-1.
GOAL GAME GRAND:
At this hour of the season, for a third consecutive season, the Fury are the highest scoring machine in the UHL, having produced a prolific 33-GF in 6-games for a GFA of 5.50. At home, they have collected 27-GF in 5-games for a GFA of 5.40. On the defensive side of the ledger, they rank second in the circuit with a GA of 12 for a GAA of a thrifty 2.00. Muskegon was #1 in the league last season in both important categories. The Fury are also ranked a strong #2 in the loop in shots on goal against, allowing a per game yield of only 27.17. Only Danbury is slightly better at 27.13.
THE FRONT-MEN:
Todd Robinson 6(4-12-16) has surged into a share of the UHL scoring leadership as the Fury list no fewer than 5-players among the top 14- point-makers in the league. Jeff Nelson 6(5-8-13) is ranked 4th, Robin Bouchard 6(5-7-12) is 8th, rookie Ryan Keller is 10th 6(5-6-11) and, another rookie, David Wrigley 6(7-3-10) is 14th among the league-elite. Wrigley's 7-goals tie him for 3rd most in the UHL while Robinson's 12-assists are the most in the league. Wrigley's 3-GWG tie him for the league-lead and his 2-SHG are 2nd best. Robinson (8) and Bouchard (8) are tied for 2nd most PP/points. Nelson is #1 in the league in goal-scoring shooting marksmanship, 5/11; .455 Pct. David Wrigley is 4th at 7/23 and .304. Dave Van Drunen is the best plus player in the UHL (+13); Wrigley ranks 3rd (+10). Robinson is the leader in SHG/points with 3. In the rookie scoring department, Keller is 3rd and Wrigley is 4th while Clay Wilson 6(3-4-7) is 9th. Keller leads rookies in PP/points with 6 and PP/assists with 4. Wrigley is also the best plus rookie in the league. Among UHL defensemen, Clay Wilson and Dave Van Drunen 6(1-6-7) are tied for 5th with Wilson's 3-goals tied for the lead and his 3/13 goal-scoring marksmanship 3rd best. Van Drunen (2) leads league defensemen in SHG/assists and points. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool is 4th with a 1.75 GAA. His 4-victories tie him for 2nd most and his .943 SPCT is runner-up best. Kevin LaPointe (2.50) is ranked 7th.
SMOOTH-MOVE CENTER:
Veteran center Jeff Nelson has never been better that he is right now in the undefeated Fury lineup. The 14-year consummate pro continues to perform his craft in a most business-like, fluid approach. The past week, he was his usual embodiment of efficiency and proficiency, registering 8-points in 3-games; 3(3-5-8), recording a masterful +5 rating and 5-SOG. He was proclaimed #3 Star Saturday night in the Fury's key 3-2 triumph over Kalamazoo, going (1-1-2)PPG/GTG and the #2 Star Sunday in the 6-1drubbing of Motor City. That night, he collected 4-points on 2-goals, 2-assists with a +4 rating. Currently tied for the team lead in PPG and averaging over 2-points per game through the season's first 6-games, Jeff Nelson has been hailed the Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week. This is the second straight week that a Fury center has been so honored. Last week, Todd Robinson earned such lofty league-wide laurels.
NETMIND DIVINE:
Second-year netminder Clayton Pool has firmly established his presence as the Fury's top puck-stopper. The past weekend, he helped spark "Team Title Two" to a pair of triumphs on consecutive nights; a 3-2 success over Kalamazoo and a 6-1 domination of Motor City. For the week, he was 2(2-0-0) with a brilliant 1.50 GAA and superb .956 SPCT. He was acclaimed the #3 Star Sunday with his 39-saves' masterpiece over the Mechanics. It is a complete sweep of the weekly awards for the Fury as Pool has been heralded Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.
THE PRINCE OF POINTS:
Veteran center Todd Robinson is off to an extraordinary start with his point-production proficiency. In fact, through the last 5-games, he is averaging a prodigious 3-points per game; 5(4-11-15). The past weekend, alone, in 3-games, he was 3(2-4-6), authoring a pair of points in each of those games, including two consecutive 2-assists efforts. For the season, thus far, he is averaging a league-best 2.67 points per game.
ROOKIE RYAN RIDES:
One of the Fury's prized rookies, left wing Ryan Keller is marking his brand in his new pro "digs" of the UHL. The past weekend, in his team's 3-game victory sweep, he was at the top of his game. The precocious sparkplug was 3(4-2-6) with a healthy +4 rating, delivering his first-ever pro 3-goal "hat trick" in the Sunday win at "The Garage" in Fraser. In that one, he was hailed #1 Star as he engineered 1-PPG, 1-SHG and 1-even strength strike. He actually stoked those 4-goals in the last 2-games, including a clutch GTG/PPG in the Saturday night come back victory over Kalamazoo. Keller is enjoying his introduction to the pro ranks, having essayed a career-start-ing 6-games' point-streak; 6(5-6-11).
"WRIG'S" RIG ROLLS:
Another of the first-place Fury's rookie wizards is left wing David Wrigley. Muskegon's top draft choice in the March 2005 UHL North American Amateur Draft has been a quick study with his stellar, sturdy play. To complete the sweep of the 5-game home stand, the Mercyhurst College scoring star authored important goals in each contest, including an electrifying power play breakaway goal in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and catapult the Fury into the victory circle over Kalamazoo. Wrigley has delivered the GWG in three of the Fury's last 5-victories.
"BOUCH" WITH THE JUICE:
Right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard continues to percolate points pronounced and prominently for the Fury. His march to 500-goals and 1,000 pro career points moves onward and upward. The past week, he was 3(2-3-5) with 1-PPG and 1-GWG. For his career, he is just 7-goals from 500, 3-assists from 500 and 10-points from 1,000. His 436-UHL career goals rank as second most all-time behind Kevin Kerr.
"VANDY" DELUXE:
Nine-year veteran defenseman Dave Van Drunen has been a "Rock of Gibralter" on the Fury back line. This season, the All-Star defender has injected significant offense to heighten his overall game. To amplify, he has registered scoring points in 5 of the Fury's first 6-games; 6(1-6-7). His +13 rating ranks as #1 on the club and #1 in the entire UHL. He and Clay Wilson 6(3-4-7) share the Fury scoring leadership among team defensemen.
SPECIALTY SPARK:
At this stage of the young season, for a third straight year, the Fury are boasting the UHL's top power play arsenal artillery distillery. In just games, the Fury have already generated 12-PPG for an average of 2-PPG each game. Muskegon is 12-42 for a conversion rating of a gleaming 28.6%. Moreover, for a second consecutive season, the Fury boast the league's best penalty-killing cast, operating at a glowing 92.6% efficiency at 50-54. The Fury have yielded a mere, league-low 4-PPGA thus far, through the season's first 6-games.
RECORD BOOK BEAT:
Todd Robinson (117) has tied Andrew Luciuk for 4th place on the Fury's all-time goal-scoring list. Robin Bouchard's PPG Friday night against his former Flint team was the 150th in his Fury career. Bouchard's next Fury goal will be his 375th in the Muskegon uniform. Ken Fels (295) is 5-games away from pro career #300. Jason Lawmaster (392) is 8-games from 400. Jeff Nelson (289) is 11-goals from 300. Jeff Petruic (297) is 3-assists from 300.
FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC":
The Fury are already 3(3-0-0) against their own Central Division. Last season, they were 32(24-6-2). The Fury are tied for the league-lead in SHG with Adirondack with 4. When they defeated Flint Friday night, 6-2, the Fury raised their home record over the Generals to 20 (16-1-3) in their last 20 such outings. The Fury have dominated their opponents in scoring in all 3-periods this season; 1st: 13-6; 2nd: 9-2; 3rd: 11-4. Last season, the Fury were undefeated when they score 4 or more at 42(41-0-1). Thus far this season, they are 4(4-0-0).
THE WRAP ON THE WEEK:
The Fury hiked their season opening record to a perfect 6(6-0-0) with a sweep of 3-games in 3-nights against Central Division competition. Friday night, they disposed of Flint, 6-2, triggering a 3-goal first period uprising. Todd Robinson fired a pair of strikes (1-PPG/TBG) as the #1 Star while Jeff Petruic also connected twice. David Wrigley (1-1-2) and Robin Bouchard (PPG/GWG) also delivered. Jeff Nelson, Jon Insana, Clay Wilson and Dave Van Drunen each assisted twice and rookie goaltender Kevin LaPointe with 16-saves, posted the victory. Saturday night, in the showdown with Kalamazoo, the Fury twice rallied from 1-goal deficits to overcome the Wings, 3-2. Jeff Nelson (1-1-2)PPG/GTG, Ryan Keller (PPG/GTG) and Wrigley (GWG/PPG) were the marksmen as all 3-Fury strikes were stoked on the power play. Robinson and Bouchard each added 2-assists and Clayton Pool posted the win with 26-saves. Sunday in Fraser, the Fury dismantled Motor City's Mechanics, 6-1 on the impetus of 3-goal outbursts in each of the first 2-periods. Keller fired the "hat trick" (3-1-4) including 1-PPG, 1-SHG and 1-even strength strike. Nelson (2-2-4) FG, and Bouchard (1-1-2) accounted for the Fury firepower with Robinson authoring 2-more assists. Pool was superlative in goal with 39-saves.
THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH DANBURY AT THE FURY 7:30 PM
This will be the Trashers lone appearance in Muskegon for the regular season. Last season, the Fury dominated the series, capturing it 3(3-0-0), including a pair of victories in Muskegon. In the playoffs, the Fury ousted Danbury in the semi-finals in 5-games at 4-games to one. This game will mark the return of former Fury All-Star goaltender Sylvain Daigle who was a member of the last three Fury title timber teams.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH THE FURY AT PORT HURON 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
THE FURY AT PORT HURON 5:00 PM
The first two meetings of the season between the two Central Division foes as the Fury come to arms for the first time against the fledgling Flags. All three of Port Huron's early victories have been produced at home with two of those coming by way of the OTSO. Another former Fury Colonial Cup star will play an integral role in this series as a member of the opposition as Paul Willett, from 1998-99 Colonial Cup I, is the head coach of the Flags.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 8, 2005
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- Mallards Go Unbeaten on Eastern Swing - Quad City Mallards
- Muskegon Fury game notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Flags Week 3 In Review - Port Huron Flags
- Red, White and Blue - Motor City Mechanics
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