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Muskegon Set To Open 50th Anniversary Season

October 11, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


JACKS TRACKS: Having completed a rather compact and condensed two-games pre-season docket against the two-time reigning IHL league champions, the Fort Wayne Komets, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League will now begin the process of setting their sights on the inaugural weekend of the 2009-10 season and the 50th Anniversary Season celebration of pro hockey in Muskegon. Under the direction of head coach Rich Kromm, the retooled and revamped Muskegon club has generated some significant momentum on the strength of garnering 3 of a possible 4-total points through a two-game home-and-home pre-season series against the Komets. In so doing, the Jacks concluded the annual early rites of autumn with a mark of 2(1-0-1), registering 7-goals while yielding 6-GA. Muskegon earned a single point in a 5-4 OTSO verdict Friday night in the Indiana hamlet before returning home Saturday night to overcome the Ks, 3-1 on the impetus of their second 3-goal third period blitz of the weekend series. General Manager Tim Taylor and Coach Kromm will be in their respective busy modes for the leagues opening week as the Lumberjacks roster still lists 26-pleyers including 2-goaltenders, 10-defensemen and 14-forwards. Muskegons braintrust can be expected to add and subtract player personnel throughout the week leading to the grand opening night bonanza extravaganza.

50 LONG & GOING STRONG!: This week, all of the Lumberjacks preparations are centered and focused on the franchise Golden Anniversary Season celebration which comes with opening night this Saturday night at 7:00 pm when the 50th Anniversary Season squad tangles truculently with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder where it all started at the venerable, historical Muskegon hockey monument, the L.C. Walker Arena. Its the Lumberjacks second of two appearances on the IHLs inaugural weekend with Coach Kromms club traveling for the leagues first official night of the campaign, Friday night on the road at Flint.

PARTY-HEARTY STREET PARTY!: To accentuate and otherwise punctuate the Lumberjacks 50th Anniversary gala celebration on opening night, Saturday, October 17th, Muskegon pro hockey will present the second annual Street Party from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm outside and around Walker Arena. All fans, and for that matter, the entire community is welcome to attend expressly to share in the joy and excitement of 50-years of pro hockey in Muskegon.

LONG LIVE LEGENDS & ALL-TIME GREATS: To inject some special spice into the Lumberjacks opening night 50th Anniversary Season celebration, some 25-30 of the greatest players representing each of the extraordinary eras of Muskegon pro hockey will be saluted and honored in special center ice pre-game ceremonies on opening night, Saturday night. Among the luminous legends from the Zephyrs era of 1960-65; Gerry Frennette, Bryan McLay (Zephyrs and Mohawks) and Ron Stephenson with all three having the distinct honor of being original members of the first ever team here in 1960. From the Mohawks era of 1965-84; Jim Bannatyne, Mike Fornes (team broadcaster), Joe Kastelic, Joe Kiss, Darrell Knibbs, Charlie Link, Gerry Moore (Coach), Ed Pizunski, Dan Sharpe, Bob Smith, Erle Switzer. From the first Lumberjacks era of 1984-92; Todd Charlesworth (Lumberjacks and Fury), Mike Forbes, Carl Mokosak, Pat Rabbitt. From the Fury era of 1992-2008; Mike Feasby, Steve Herniman, Sergei Kharin, Rob Melanson, Jeff Napierala, Darryl Newman, Mark Turner.

3 FOR 4 SCORE: Sorting through some 35-players and enduring some early training camp maladies befalling personnel, the Lumberjacks, undaunted and untrammeled, earned 3 of a possible 4-points in a two-game home-and-home pre-season series against two-time reigning league kingpin Fort Wayne. Last season, Muskegon finished in third place in the final IHL standings with a record of 76(43-26-7) for 93-points, making it 11-times in the past 15-years that the franchise has eclipsed 40-wins and an unprecedented 26th consecutive year that the team had attained a coveted post-season berth in the playoffs.

IN THE HOME ZONE: In their lone pre-season offering on home ice Saturday night, the Jacks dismissed Fort Wayne, 3-1 on the impetus of a 3-goal third period comeback counterattack crescendo in a rapid fire fashion of 3:16. In 2008-09, Muskegon achieved the circuits supreme home mark of a gleaming and glowing 38(24-11-3) with the 24-triumphs also foremost in the loop. The longest home win streak last year was 7-in a row, gained in the initial 7-home encounters of last campaign with the Jacks also climaxing the home slate date in dynamic fashion with a mark of 8(7-1-0).

ABOUT ABROAD: Muskegon did extract one point from the Komets in Fort Wayne on Friday night through the 5-4 OTSO result as the Anniversary Boys, again numbed the Komets with a 3-goal third period comeback act. This one expunged a 3-1 shortfall and was executed in a lightning-like sequence of 4:58. Last season, for an unparalleled 13th successive season, Muskegons road record was at or above the .500 barrier at 38(19-15-4) with the longest win streak at 6-in a row and the longest losing skid placed at 5-consecutively. In fact, incorporating the playoffs, the Jacks commence the new campaign with a mark of 11(1-10-0) in their last 11-endeavors into enemy territory.

THE BLITZ RITZ: In connecting on 7-GF in 2-pre-season outings, the Lumberjacks averaged 3.50 goals per game with the third period representing their best offensive act. Six of the clubs 7-GF were sniped in the fateful final frame in outscoring the Komets, 6-1 in that category. Last season, the Jacks were the most potent product on the IHL ice with 315-GF and a 4.15 GFA.

PRE-SEASON PROLIFIC PUNCH BUNCH: The Lumberjacks newcomer, right wing David Rohlfs shared the IHL

pre-season scoring crown with 2(1-2-3) with Brian Bicek 2(1-1-2), Bryce Dale 2(1-1-2), Lubos Velebny 1(1-1-2) and J.T. Dahlinger 2(0-2-2) tied for #4. Rookie right wing Matt Robertson delivered 1-GWG while Rohlfs (2) and Dahlinger (2) tied for the league in helpers.

CHAMPION SEBASTIEN: The Lumberjacks new #1 goaltender, Sebastien Centomo attained a brilliant Muskegon debut Saturday night at home where his team tamed Fort Wayne, 3-1. The 28-year old 9-year pro and former CHL Goaltender of the Year earned the games #1 Star with a magnificent 36-saves masterpiece with a multitude of those saves larcenous-like. In 2008-09, Centomo starred in the CHL with Laredo where he posted a 39(20-17-2) mark in 39-games with a 2.84 GAA, 3-shutouts and .906 SPCT.

THE ROBIN COUNTDOWN IS ON! As he ushers-in his 16th pro season and 13th in Muskegon, #32 Robin Bouchard begins his quest to become the greatest goal-scoring colossus ever in minor pro hockey history. The Gun-Sling King is looking for 38-more goals to reach the magic moment number of 683 to become the greatest of all-time. Bouch Almighty is currently at 645-goals and counting! He has averaged 43-goals per season in his illustrious career.

THE T.ROB 1,000: Not to be overshadowed, is the quest of 11-year veteran center Todd Robinson. T.Rob launches his 9th Muskegon campaign as the two-time league MVP and Scoring Champion on the ascent to the prestigious 1,000-points plateau. The pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot is at 926-points and counting! He is 74-points from the superlative summit and he has averaged over 92-points per season in his distinguished pro career. The playmaker extraordi-naire has averaged over an assist a game in Muskegon with 524 in 496-games.

SPECIAL TEAMS TOPS: The Lumberjacks power play was tops in the IHL in the pre-season, percolating at a crisp clip of 30% on a 3-10 ratio. Power play strikes were stoked by Lubos Velebny, Brian Bicek and David Rohlfs. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing cast ranked a strong and stellar 4th at 10-11 for an efficiency rating of 90.9%.

MILESTONES MARKERS: Center Travis Banga (293) is 7-points away from career 300. Robin Big Snake (188) is 12-games from career 200. Robin Bouchard (986) is 14-points from 1,000 for Muskegon. Sebastien Centomo (292) is 8-games shy of 300. Jason Lawmaster (194) is 6-games from 200 for Muskegon and (297) just 3-points away from pro career 300. Todd Robinson has averaged a lusty 1.47 points per game in his Muskegon career.

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM FIC: There are only 6-returnees from last seasons Lumberjacks team; defensemen Matt Gens, Dan Boeser; centers Todd Robinson, Billy Collins; left wing John DiPace, right wing Robin Bouchard. Jason Lawmaster returns after a 3-year absence from Muskegon. Rich Kromm has become the fourth coach in Muskegon history to mark a second coming behind the home team bench. He was preceded by Moose Lallo, Gerry Moore and B.J. McDonald. From last seasons team, Chad Woollard and Steven Later are with Corpus Christi of the CHL; Kevin Armstrong, Adam Bartholomay and Alec Kirschner have joined former coach Bruce Ramsay who is now at the helm of the CHL Tulsa Oilers. Chad Costello is with Stockton and Shaun Fisher is in Bakersfield, both of the ECHL, Gerome Giudice is playing in Italy, Anton Kharin is with ECHL Kalamazoo and Jon Grabarek is in Dayton.

PRE-SEASON REPLAY: Facing two games in 2-nights, the Lumberjacks revisited last seasons Turner Cup Finals when they bowed to Fort Wayne for the league title in 5-games, 4-1. The Jacks extracted some retribution and reprisals as they garnered 3 of 4-points. Friday night in Indiana, they earned the single point in a 5-4 OTSO outcome, actually seizing the advantage in the form of a 3-goal third period barrage in 4:58 which erased a 3-1 deficit and catapulted them into a 4-3 lead. Lubos Velebny (FG/PPG), John DiPace (PG), Mike Novak (GTG) and Bryce Dale (TBG) were the Muskegon major marquee marksmen. In the OTSO, the Jacks were out-goaled, 2-1 with Robin Big Snake delivering the visitors sole goal. In his pro premiere, Matt Lundin was solid in goal with 30-saves as his team outshot the Ks, 47-35. Then on Saturday night, again, it was a 3-goal third period rally for the Jacks with this one securing the triumph, 3-1. The Lumberjacks assault was emanated and culminated by PPG with Brian Bicek (GTG/PPG), Matt Robertson (TBG/GWG) and David Rohlfs (1-1-2) IG/PPG each making connection. Sebastien Centomo was spectacular in goal in his coming out party with 36-saves as his team was outshot, 37-21.

THE LUMBERJACKS GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH THE LUMBERJACKS AT FLINT 7:30 PM

The revival of a long-time long term rivalry that traverses several eras of pro hockey in each city. Last season, Muskegon captured the season series at 16(10-5-1), outscoring the Generals, 82-62. Muskegon was 8(4-3-1) at the Perani Arena. However, after launching the season with a 5-game unblemished skein there 5(4-0-1), it drooped in the last 3-sojourns at 3(0-3-0). Like the Jacks, Flint capped the pre-season with a mark of 2(1-0-1).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH BLOOMINGTON AT THE LUMBERJACKS 7:00 PM

Last season, the Lumberjacks claimed the season series from the Prairie Thunder at 16(9-5-2), outscoring them, 69-65. On home ice, the Lumberjacks were 8(4-3-1) as the club actually assembled a superior record abroad against the Illinois entry at 8(5-2-1). Former Muskegon center Jon Booras (40-60-100) returns after finishing #2 in the IHL in scoring last year.

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 FRICANOS 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.q



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 11, 2009


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