Muskegon Records 5th 50-Win Season
April 12, 2010 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
`JACKS TRACKS: It was a physically and mentally-demanding past week for the IHL league-leading Muskegon Lumber-jacks as they faced a daunting, difficult assignment of 4-games in 5-days with some rather inordinate and exorbitant travel. Under the astute and argute auspices of head coach Rich Kromm, the home team compiled a commendable, creditable mark of 4(2-1-1), recording 5 of a possible 8-points to close-in on the Huber Trophy crown, symbolic of regular season sovereignty and supremacy in the IHL. Having attained the prestigious 50-victories' plateau for the fifth time in modern Muskegon pro hockey history and for the second time with "The Kromminator" at the helm, the men of Muskegon lumber have now placed themselves on the precipice of league grandeur and glory. With two games remaining on their regular season slate before the advent of the Turner Cup Playoffs, the Lumberjacks, it appears in all likelihood, will require a 51st triumph to capture the league-wide coronation of the IHL nation. Through 74-games, the `Jacks tracks read a record of a magnificent 74(50-19-5) totaling 105-points with both of those remaining games being played in the hostile environment of alien territory. Muskegon will embark on the league's final regular season week maintaining a 5-points' advantage over two-time reigning Huber Trophy king Fort Wayne 73(48-21-4) 100-points with the Komets having one game in hand and 3-games remaining. The always formidable Fort Wayners are climbing to crescendo status as they always seem to do at the right time of the year. They have won 5-in a row and are 25(19-5-1) in the last 25-decisions. A combination of one more Lumberjacks win or Komets loss will land the Huber hardware on Muskegon's front porch perch at its Walker Arena address. This week, while the `Jacks stay on the long IHL runway at rather low altitude with excursions to Dayton Friday night and the finale Saturday night in Flint, Fort Wayne will invite playoff-eliminated rival Quad City back for installments 2 and 3 of their 3-game series on Friday and Saturday before the K's complete the season's 76 Sunday, hosting Flint.
TURNER CUP PLAYOFFS: The Lumberjacks are assured of home ice advantage for the first round of the IHL's annual Turner Cup Playoffs and maybe more. For the moment, the Muskegon squadron will launch the league's post-season showcase event with a pair of outings, designated as Games #1 and #2 on home ice at Walker Arena, Friday, April 23rd and Saturday April 24th with both playoff games set for 7:00 pm with an as of yet undetermined opponent.
ONE FOR 51 TO BE #1: Having attained the IHL's premiere record at 74(50-19-5) for 105-points, the Lumberjacks, perhaps, will need a 51st for the victory column to seal their fate for first place positioning for the playoffs. For the season, the kinetic Kromm crew have exceeded the century-points' plateau for the seventh time over the past 11-years and the second time during a coach Kromm regime. The Lumberjacks appear to be cresting and not resting at this opportune time of the year, having engineered a mark of 11(8-1-2) in their last 11-decisions and 14(10-2-2) through the past 14-outings. Through 36-games in the season's second-half, they are a premium, positive 36(24-10-2). The `Jacks also have generated the league's 3-longest win streaks of the season; 9-in a row; 7-in succession and 6-in a row. In addition, they have produced the circuit's supreme unsullied skein of the season at 10(9-0-1). The monthly accounting files: October 6(3-3-0); November 12(9-1-2); December 12(8-3-1); January 13(10-3-0); February 12(9-3-0); March 13(7-5-1); April 6(4-1-1).
30 OF 38 RATE: The league-leading lustrous Lumberjacks completed their 38-games home slate the past Saturday night with their regular season home finale in a 5-4 OTSO affair against archrival Flint. By spiriting away one precious point in their bid for the hallowed Huber silver, the hometown team finished with the league's foremost home log at an extraordinary 38(30-7-1) for a winning percentage of a lusty .803. Muskegon will finish with the league's most home wins. The club was undefeated in its last half-dozen dates at the "Hockey Barn of Bedlam" at the downtown historical landmark corner of Fourth Street and W. Western Avenue with a mark of 6(5-0-1). Their last undoing at "The L.C." was over one month ago, on March 10th, when Quad City bushwhacked the Lumberjacks, 4-3. The second-half home mark is 18(14-3-1); the first half; 20(16-4-0). Muskegon matched the league's longest home win streak this season at 11-in a row, following that up with an 8-game win skein. There was also a 5-game win streak in front of their fond, faithful following of fans.
30 + 20 = 50: When they extracted a hard-earned, richly-deserved 7-4 verdict from the Generals in Flint Sunday, the IHL's first place team collected an impressive 20th triumph through foreign territory invasions. In the process, the `Jacks improved their IHL league-wide best foreign affairs log to 36(20-12-4) for a win percentile of a precision polished .611. Their 12-road setbacks are 2-fewer than all of the circuit. The recent road record stands at a 2-game win streak; last 2(2-0-0); last 4(3-1-0) and last 8-abroad; 8(5-2-1). Muskegon's longest road win streak has been 5-in a row which represents the IHL's second best this season while their longest unblemished skein in such lifestyle has been a league-best 11(8-0-3). The Muskegon franchise has not endured a below .500 season abroad since way back in the 1996-97 season, some 13-years ago.
HIGH-OCTANE GAIN: The "Jackeroos" have possessed the most offensive ammo arsenal armada in the IHL throughout the present season, having amassed the most GF of any team in the loop. In the past 4-games' work week, the league-leaders seemed to awaken from an ever-so-rare swoon-tune, slumber-number and trance-dance after being extinguished in a Wednes-day waterloo at Fort Wayne, 3-0. Since that shutout, in the last 3-games, the Lumberjacks have been prolific and prodigious, producing 17-GF for a GFA of a monstrous 5.67. In their 2-wins for the week, they peppered opponents with a zesty 13-GF full frontal assault.
AND THE WINNER IS: As has always been tradition in Muskegon hockey annals, the regular season home finale serves as a special time to honor the team for its total season accomplishments; thus, the annual Awards Night. This year's honorees include: ROOKIE OF YEAR: MATT LUNDIN; MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: MATT ROBERTSON; BEST DEFENSEMAN: MATT KRUG; MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER: JASON LAWMASTER; MR. HUSTLE: BRIAN BICEK; MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER; DAVID ROHLFS; 3-STARS AWARD: ROBIN BOUCHARD; SCORING CHAMPION: TODD ROBINSON; BEST CHECKER: MATT KRUG; GREAT SAVES AWARD: SEBASTIEN CENTOMO; MOST POPULAR PLAYER; ROBIN BOUCHARD; BEST PLUS PLAYER: JOHN DIPACE; MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: TODD ROBINSON; COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD: MARK CODY.
SUMMIT SARTORIAL: As has been the case all season long, the Lumberjacks presence is one of great prominence in the IHL's top categories. The league's top scoring architects: 1- Todd Robinson 72(20-87-107); 2- Robin Bouchard 67(59-40-99); 9- John DiPace 56(25-40-65); 19- Brian Bicek 74(22-33-55). In Goals: 1- Bouchard (59); In Assists: 1- Robinson (87); In PPG: 1- Bouchard (19). In PP/Assists: 1- Robinson (36). In GWG: 2- Bouchard (9); 3- Bicek (6). In GWG/OT/SO: 1- Bouchard (3); 2- Robinson (2); Damian Surma (2). In MG: 1- Bouchard (14); In Hat Tricks: 1- (tied) Bouchard (3). In SOG: 1- Bouchard (324); In Plus/Minus: 3- DiPace (+31); Rookie Scoring: 6- Matt Krug 72(14-31-45); 11- Matt Robertson 74(19-23-42); 15- J.T. Dahlinger 72(10-22-32); In PPG: 3- Krug (9); In PP/Assists: 2- Krug (13); In Minors: 1- Krug (41); In Assists: 4- Krug (31); In PIM: 1- Krug (207); 4- Mark Cody (120). In Majors: 3- Krug (17); 4- Cody (14). In Plus/ Minus: 3- Dahlinger (+20); 6- Krug (+18). In Defense Scoring: 1- Krug 73(14-31-45); 8- David Rohlfs 70(14-15-29); 12- Mario Larocque 29(5-19-24); Adam Welch 66(6-18-24); In Goals: 1- Krug (14); Rohlfs (14). In Assists: 4- Krug (31); In PPG: 1- Krug (9); In PP/Assists: 3- Krug (13). In GWG: 1- (tied) Rohlfs (3). In the goaltending department: 3- Sebastien Centomo GAA: 2.60; 5- Matt Lundin 2.80. WINS: 1- Centomo (27); 6- Lundin (21). In OTSO/WINS: 1- (tied) Lundin (5). SHUT-OUTS: 1- (tied) Centomo (3); 5- Lundin (2).
"THE ROCK" ROLLS: Veteran defenseman Mario Larocque enjoyed one of his best weeks since his in-season acquisition by the first place Lumberjacks. Confronting a rather grueling and grinding span of 4-games in 5-days with 3 of those offerings abroad, the 11-year pro was star-studded in every way. Orchestrating two consecutive 3-points' performances in a 2-game home-and-home series against rival Flint, the former NHL Tampa Bay Lightning #1 draft choice was 4(2-4-6) for those 2- games, delivering 3-assists on all 3 of his team's GTG Saturday night against the Generals, earning the game's #3 Star. Then, on the very next day in Flint, he cannonaded a pair of first period strikes to emanate and culminate his club's 4-goal opening period juggernaut before later assisting on the `Jacks ultimate GWG in the same contest. Moreover, and perhaps, even more impressive was his solid +2 rating in each of those 3-weekend games. For the week, he was +5 and in his last 11-games, he is averaging over a point a game with 11(3-10-13). Larocque is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Player of the Week.
MATT'S MARKS MATTER: First year goaltender Matt Lundin has shown an amazing form of consistency especially when called upon at the right moments. In this past work week, he made two appearances including one in a relief role. In his one start arranged Sunday at Flint where he backstopped his team to a 7-4 victory verdict, he repelled 28-shots to earn his 21st victory of the season and his 11th on the road. In his last 3-starts, he is a perfect 3(3-0-0) with an avarice GAA of 1.95. Honored as the team's Rookie of the Year, Lundin is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Goaltender of the Week.
KING-KONG-KRUG: Rugged, ruffian, rock-ribbed rookie defenseman Matt Krug continues to rock'em and sock'em on the Muskegon blue line with his bone-bruising body belts. At the same time, he has sustained his knack on the offensive attack as well. The past week, the IHL Defenseman of the Year connected on a key, clutch PPG the past Friday night in Bloomington as the Lumberjacks struck for a 3-goal final frame fusillade in a 6-4 triumph over the Prairie Thunder. For the week he was 4(1-0-1) with a strong 15-SOG and +1 rating. Krug is the Lumberjacks nomination for Meijer / IHL Rookie of the Week.
CENTER CENTURY: The league's leading scoring svengali is silk center Todd Robinson. Set to lay claim to his second consecutive league-wide scoring crown and his third over the past 4-years, the Lumberjacks captain reaped another bountiful harvest of point-productivity. In the 3-games in 3-days the past weekend, "T.Rob" authored an artisan-like 8-points on 3(1-7-8) including 3-first period assists with 2 of those coming on the power play in his team's 7-4 dismissal of Flint. Earlier in the weekend, on the Friday date at Bloomington, he spearheaded the `Jacks 6-4 verdict over the Illinois-based squadron with a 4-points masterpiece with 1-goal, 3-assists. In that game, the "Robinsonian" tote board eclipsed the century-point plateau for the 6th time in his 11-year pro career and for 5th time in his 9-Muskegon seasons.
JOHNNY D. DELUXE: Versatile left wing John DiPace continues to serve as a paragon of consistency and continuity for the home town team at this most relevant time of the season. The former Flint General also savored a sweet, sleek weekend of 3-games in 3-days with 7-points on 2-goals, 5-assists, including a magical 4-assists' jewel in his team's 6-4 triumph in Bloomington. In that same game, "Johnny `D' achieved a brilliant +4 rating which equaled the `Jacks best single game performance in that all-important department this season.
SURMA SAYS `DO THIS': Slick, smooth-skating center Damian Surma is cresting at the time of the season when it seems to matter most. In 3-games the past weekend, he engineered 6-points on 2-goals, 4-assists while earning a stellar +4 rating. His week's output incorporated a brilliant 3-points' enormous performance on 1-goal, 2-assists and masterful +3 rating in the Friday night OTSO outcome on home ice against Flint. Surma has been averaging slightly better than a point-a-game in his last 35-games, collecting 37-points on 15-goals, 22-assists.
"ROLLY" SCAROLE: Transplanted defenseman David Rohlfs continues to perform his craft in an unassuming, unsung and unheralded fashion with lots of piqued passion. In the 3-games the past weekend, the erstwhile U. of Michigan standout contributed one point each game. In so doing, he accrued his first scoring streak of the season. In 3-games, 3(1-2-3) and an excellent +3 rating for the week. He scored one of the `Jacks 3-GTG on Saturday night on home ice against Flint in the 5-4 OTSO outcome.
SPECIAL TEAMS TITANIC: The Lumberjacks special teams continue to take center stage with their stellar, effective personified persona. The power play, ranked #2 in the IHL, is 18 for the last 66 for a proficiency rating of 28% with their 71-PPG pacing the IHL. Addressing the penalty-killing climate, Muskegon is rated #3 "with a bullet" operating at 83.3% efficiency. The opposition is only 6 for the last 54 for a PK mark for Muskegon of a gleaming 88.9%. Muskegon's total of 71-PPG pace the IHL.
MILESTONES STUDY: J.T. Dahlinger's GWG in Sunday's 7-4 win at Flint represented his first-ever GWG in his pro career. Robin Bouchard's 59th goal Sunday at Flint equals his single season career high which matched his Muskegon single-season record which he set back in the 2005-06 season. With his 7-points through the past 3-games, John DiPace (396) has crept to within 4-points of the pro career 400. Michel Beausoleil (248) is 2-goals away from pro career 250. Brian Bicek (94) is 6-points from 100.
FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": The `Jacks best day of the week remains Sunday, posting a record of 13(11-1-1) and an undefeated 5(4-0-1) on the road. The `Jacks have produced six 3-goal "hat tricks" this season, reveling in a perfect record of 6(6-0-0). When they score a SHG this season, the `Jacks' mark is 6(5-1-0). In his last 37-games, Robin Bouchard is 37(35-16-51); last 28(27-11-38); last 16-games; 16(17-5-22). When outshooting the opposition, the "Jackeroos" have a sterling record of 42(32-8-2). In his last 11-starts at home, Sebastien Centomo has logged a mark of 11(10-0-1).
THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT DAYTON 7:30 PM
The 13th and final meeting of the campaign for two long-time rivals from a more halcyon era of yesteryear in the IHL. Muskegon has dominated the seventh place Gems, 12(8-2-2), having gone 8(7-0-1) in the last 8-clashes. In 5- bouts at Hara Arena, the Lumberjacks have garnered 8 of a possible 10-points with a record of 5(3-0-2).
SATURDAY, APRIL 17TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:30 PM
The regular season finale and game #76 for both squads with the Muskegonites making their second visit to the Perani Arena in the span of a week. The `Jacks have already clinched the season series from the "men in blue," 12(7-3-2). In Flint, the Muskegon team is 6(3-2-1), prevailing in the last pair of appointments between the two teams including 7-4 last Sunday.
LEGENDS, YOUNG GUNS AND LUMBERJACKS: All the Lumberjacks game broadcasts in the 50th Anniversary Season as well as the Monday Night "Jacks Jam" can be heard on exclusive flagship radio station WLAW 92.5 FM, "THE OUTLAW." The Monday night "Jacks Jam" is every Monday night from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, live from FRICANO'S MUSKEGON LAKE. The "Voice" of the Lumberjacks, Terry Ficorelli has all of the Jacks on radio action. The `Jacks game broadcasts can also be found on the world wide web at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.
THE LUMBERJACKS DAILY UPDATE REPORTS: Tune in every day even when there is not a game, as Terry Ficorelli brings you up to date with the Lumberjacks Hockey Update, Monday through Friday at 5:57 pm on WEFG-FM 97.5, "THE CHAMP." There are also Lumberjacks daily reports throughout the day in Grand Haven on WGHN Radio, "Sports Radio 1370 ESPN."
LUMBERJACKS TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for all Lumberjacks j=home games for the 2009-10 season are on sale at the Walker Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster Centers or by phone at (231)726-2400; VISA / MASTERCARD accepted. For great group rates and birthday parties with the Lumberjacks, phone the Lumberjacks office at (231) 726-3879 or visit our website at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com. Once again, all this season at every home game, all youth tickets (17-under) are only $5 as presented by Muskegon Community College.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 12, 2010
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- Frank Kinney Named IHL Executive Of The Year - Port Huron Icehawks
- Muskegon Records 5th 50-Win Season - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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