Reigning UHL champs seize control of Central Division

Published on January 3, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Despite a somewhat depleted roster, especially at the forward position, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, have risen to the occasion with special class, character and fortitude. In the process, they have re-captured the sole custody of the revered first-place position in the Central Division standings, accomplishing the fabulous feat through an undefeated 4-games' week. With a 4(3-0-1) mark for the holiday weekend, the men of the Fury actually laid claim to the latter three games in consecutive fashion, including a monumental 4-3 victory verdict Sunday in Flint in the showdown duel for the top perch in that Michigan-only division. Under the auspices of second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Muskegon squadron has gained a 2-points advantage atop the division on a record of 35(20-10-5) totaling 45-points. "The Knights of Nelson" have also earned two more victories than have Flint 35(18-10-7)43 and have attained the season series lead at this juncture of the campaign at 6(4-2-0); 2(2-0-0) at home and 4(2-2-0) in the Generals' lair. Having prevailed proudly and impressively in the first pair of games in a season-long 6-games' road expedition, the Fury have maintained an 8-points' edge over third-place Kalamazoo 34(17-14-3)37 with the Wings in the midst of playing 8 of 9 away. Kalamazoo has won its last 2-starts. The members of the Muskegon aggregation nation have grown a 11-points' lead over fourth-place Port Huron 35(16-17-2)34 as the Beacons have been rejuvenated through a record of 20(14-5-1) in the past 20-outings and a sparkling 12(11-1-0) mark in the last dozen dates at the homestead. Concerning the UHL's overall 14-teams' standings, the Fury are presently residing in fourth position, having crept within 2-points of Eastern Division front-running Danbury 35(23-11-1)47. Muskegon has surged to within 6-points of Western Division and league-leading Fort Wayne 37(24-10-3)51. In this upcoming first full week of the new calendar year 2005, the Fury will face the daunting task of 4-more road games in 5-days with some inordinate travel attached. The 6-game road sojourn continues Wednesday night in Richmond before the hometown team travels to the Empire State of New York for a pair of weekend duels with Adirondack on Friday night and Elmira Saturday as the latter game will be the re-visiting of Colonial Cup III. The long trek concludes Sunday in Fraser against the Motor City Mechanics.

"THE FARMER'S" FINAL BOW: When the Fury finally do return home following a two-weeks' absence from Walker Arena, they will be rolling out the red carpet for the career's last curtain call for one of Muskegon pro hockey's all-time greats, defenseman Scott Feasby. The Fury's long-time captain will return to the "Hockey Barn of Bedlam" on the weekend of Friday, January 14th and Saturday, January 15th when the Fury host Port Huron and Missouri respectively. In the first game of that weekend, the 13-year all-star veteran will make a cameo appearance in the Fury starting lineup in order that he might become only the second player in UHL history to play 700-games. Then on Saturday night, "The Farmer's" famed and fabled #20 jersey will be officially retired in special pre-game ceremonies to commemorate his magnificent Muskegon career. It truly will be a weekend to remember in Muskegon.

RAISING THE RECORD: Having engineered an unbeaten holiday week of 4(3-0-1)16-11, the "Furious Ones" have raised their overall record to a supreme 35(20-10-5)for 45-points. "Todd's Team" is currently riding the rising tidal wave of a 3-game win streak in which they have out-goaled the opposition, 14-8. The Fury are undefeated in their last 4(3-0-1). In the last 11-games, they are 11(7-2-2). Muskegon completed a rather demanding December docket with a sound and solid mark of 16(8-4-4). The longest victory streak of the season has been 5-in a row with one 4-game win skein as well. Of course, the Fury broached the title defense season with their best start on record at 10(9-0-1). The longest losing stretch has been 3-in succession. Last year, in the year of Colonial Cup III, after the first 35-games, Muskegon had carded a masterful mark of 35(24-9-2)50. At this stage of the season, they are 4-wins and 5-points behind last year's clip.

HOME HEATING: Having compiled a 2(1-0-1) home record for the past week, the Fury have surged to the summit with the UHL's premiere home record at a gaudy 18(13-2-3), accruing 29 of a possible 36-points. Presently, the Fury club has pushed its latest unblemished skein at home to an impressive 7-in succession; 7(5-0-2)21-14. They are 10(7-1-2) in the last 10-home appearances. Incorporating late last season, the Fury are a lustrous 27(22-2-3) in their last 27-home games. Longest home in streak of the season has been 4-consecutively; a feat which has been accomplished twice. Incidentally, this is the Fury's second 7-games' undefeated streak on home ice thus far this season. They are an impeccably perfect 9(9-0-0) at home against their own Central Division foes.

ROAD ROCK-SOCK: The defending titlists would appear to be back on track as far as UHL foreign ice warfare is concerned. Addressing it specifically, the "Lakeshore Icers" have captured the initial 2-games of a rather arduous 6-games' excursion on the impetus of triumphs New Year's Eve in Rockford, 7-3, and the day after New Year in Flint, 4-3. The Fury gang is now 6(3-2-1) in the most recent 6-dates abroad. For the season, the road record has been elevated to 17(7-8-2) with a 3-game win streak to inaugurate the season still representing their longest victory streak thus far this year. Longest road hiatus without ultimate success has been 4-consecutively.

DIVISIONS PROVISIONS: "Team Title" has been utterly masterful in its domination of its own Central Division nation. With two more key, clutch victory verdicts this past week, the men with the "Cup" have heightened their record to a remarkable 17(14-3-0); 9(9-0-0) at home and 8(5-3-0) on the road. The Fury even earned a rare win when stepping outside their own division cells when they claimed a convincing 7-3 conquest Friday night at Rock-ford. That win was merely the club's second in their last 12-decisions against Western Division competition. Overall, they are 17(6-6-5) against the West. The divisional breakdowns: Central Division: Kalamazoo 6(6-0-0)22-10; home: 3(3-0-0)12-6; road: 3(3-0-0)10-4; Flint 6(4-2-0)17-19; home: 2(2-0-0)5-3; road: 4(2-2-0)12-16; Motor City 2(2-0-0)11-4; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; Port Huron 3(2-1-0)11-7; home: 2(2-0-0)10-4; road: 1(0-1-0)1-3. Western Division: Kansas City 4(3-0-1)17-8; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 2(1-0-1)8-5; Quad City 3(2-1-0)10-4; home: 2(2-0-0)10-2; road: 1(0-1-0)0-2; Rockford 3(1-2-0)9-9; road: 3(1-2-0)9-9; Missouri 3(0-1-2)5-8; home: 1(0-0-1); road: 2(0-1-1)3-5; Fort Wayne 4(0-2-2)10-17; home: 3(0-1-2)8-13; road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are 1(0-1-0) with the single setback absorbed at home against Adirondack.

GOAL GLUT STRUT: After several weeks of less than ideally productive offensive firepower, the Fury's collective cannons have been re-torched to the tune of a prolific 11-GF in garnering the first 2-games of the 6-game road trek. In fact, for the week, the once somnolent offense came alive to the tune of 16-GF in the 4-unbeaten games for a GFA of a stellar 4.00. For the season, the men of the Fury colors rank 5th in the UHL with a GFA of 3.26. Defensively speaking, the Fury rank a lofty third best in the UHL with a GAA of a frugal 2.54.

LEAGUE-LEADING MEN: UHL defending scoring kingpin Robin Bouchard 35(19-23-42) is 8th, Jeff Nelson 35(9-29-38) is tied for 9th and Brant Blackned 35(13-22-35) is 16th among the league scoring elite. Bouchard's 10-PPG tie him for 2nd most league-wide while Blackned and Scott Hollis 7-PPG tie them for 5th. Bouchard leads the UHL in PP/Points with 26 with Blackned 3rd with 23. Bouchard and Blackned are tied for 3rd in the league in PP/Assists with 16. Nelson's 29-assists rank as 4th best in the loop with Rustyn Dolyny's 3-SHG tying him for 2nd most in the league. B.J. Gaustad 11/54, .204 shooting percentage ranks as 5th best. Jason Lawmaster leads the league in minor penalties with 36; David Ambler is 5th in majors with 14. Despite being on the disabled list, Billy Collins remains 9th in UHL rookie scoring with 29(10-8-18). His 5-PPG tie him for 2nd most, his 10-goals are 5th most and his 10/57, .175 shooting percentage is 3rd best among this year's rookie class. In the goaltending department, first-year pro Clayton Pool is listed 3rd in the league with a stingy and stellar GAA of 1.98 with his .928 SPCT also the 3rd best league-wide. Brent Belecki is rated 10th with a GAA of 2.56.

"BIG BEAR" BLITZ: Veteran left wing Brant Blackned took and shook the slumber from his lumber the past weekend, and in so doing, spurred his team to an undefeated week. Friday night in Rockford, he victimized his former team with his second 5-points' game of the season on a goal and 4-assists in the 7-3 triumph over the IceHogs, earning the game's #2 Star. Then on Sunday, for the game for first place, he essayed the game's key, FG and added an assist in the Fury's 4-3 win at Flint. In that one, he was acclaimed the #3 Star. For the week, he was 4(2-6-8) with 10-SOG and an excellent +4 rating. Blackned is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

"J. NELLIE" SVENGALI: Silk, satin center Jeff Nelson has emerged prominently as the Fury's ace playmaker extraordinaire. The 13-year classy chassy pro orchestrated two consecutive 3-assists masterpieces in his team's 3-2 triumph Thursday night against Kalamazoo and, again, Friday night in the 7-3 victory at Rockford. In each contest, he was heralded as the game's #1 Star. For the week, he was 4(0-7-7) with 15-SOG and +1 rating. In the month of December, Nelson was the Fury's premiere point-producer with 16(3-15-18) and club-tying best +5 rating. In 4-games in December, he was accorded the game's #1 Star. Nelson is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Month.

POOL SIDE TIDE: First-year goalkeeper Clayton Pool continues to achieve rave notices and much fanfare for his rookie puck-stopping stupendo. The past week was his busiest yet as a pro as he started 3 of his team's 4-games, posting an undefeated 3(2-0-1) record with a 2.33 GAA and .907 SPCT. For the month of December, he saw service in 9-games, recording a strong mark of 9(5-1-2) with a 1.92 GAA, his first two-ever pro shutouts and a SPCT of a scintillating .935. With a 7(6-1-0) record in his last 7-starts, Pool is the Fury's nomination for both Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week and Goaltender of the Month.

ROCKIN' ROBIN ROLLING: The Fury's all-time premiere career cannoneer, right wing Rockin' Robin Bouch-ard enjoyed a mighty week for the hometown, titletown team. During this Fury current 3-game win streak, he has registered 9-points on 9(3-6-9) with a +3 rating. In the New Year's Eve triumph in Rockford, he authored his second 5-points' performance of the season with (2-3-5), earning the game's #3 Star. For the week, he had 2-PPG and 1-FG along with 12-SOG. In his last 6-games, he is 6(5-7-12).

FLASHING HIS BADGE: "The Lawman," right wing Jason Lawmaster is at the top his game at an apropos time of the current campaign. Friday night in Rockford, he celebrated his 26th birthday with a brilliant 4-points' perform-ance with 2-PPG and 2-helpers. For the week, he fired 3-PPG and collected 5-total points while earning a +1 rating. His 19-SOG led the club for the week. He was anointed the #3 Star on his birthday night as well as on Tuesday night at home against Missouri. For the week, he was 4(3-3-6) with 9-PIM.

"GUS" GUSTO: Indefatigable center B.J. Gaustad keeps turning up aces for his team in high places. Through the first two games of Muskegon's 6-game road trip, the second-year pro has been at the focal point, generating 1-goal and 1-assist in each contest; 2(2-2-4) with 6-SOG and a superb +3 rating. Gaustad's season rating of +4 is second-best for the Fury among forward, behind Jeff Nelson's +9.

THE CAPTAIN CAPER: The Fury captain Rustyn Dolyny is firing on all cylinders, especially the past week and through the initial two games of the foreign ice invasions. "Rusto Bravissimo" has stoked a single strike in each road outing thus far, including his club-high third SHG of the season on Sunday in the momentous victory at Flint and the ultimate GWG in the New Year's success in Rockford. For the week, he was 4(2-1-3) with 1-GWG, 1-SHG, 10-SOG and a +2 rating.

THE "JOHNNY I SHOW" AGLOW: Third-year defenseman Jon Insana enjoyed his best week yet as a member of the Fury. The former Michigan State Defenseman of the Year was awesome and then-some in the two triumphs to launch the road trip on a very high note. In the New Year's Eve victory at Rockford, he achieved a healthy +3 rating. However, in road game #2, in Flint on Sunday, he was even better, earning a magnificent +4 rating with the latter output equaling Jeff Nelson for the single game's Fury best so far this season. Insana was hailed as the #1 Star in the 4-3 conquest of the Generals. Insana is +7 in the first 2-road games and posted an amazing +8 rating for the week; 4(0-2-2).

NOT AFRAID TO TRADE: Assertively addressing a somewhat depleted roster at the forward position, the Fury have taken some immediate measures. With right wing Scott Hollis joining Billy Collins on the shelf and Todd Robinson gone to AHL Grand Rapids, the Fury have obtained rookie lw/rw Bill Zalba from Richmond for Muskegon's second round choice in the March 2005 UHL North American Amateur Draft. The 6-1, 204lb native of Thorold, Ontario had been recently dealt to the RiverDogs in a major 8-player deal with Kansas City but never reported. In 29-games with the expansion Outlaws, Zalba was 29(6-8-14) with 66-PIM. Last season, he played for Brock U., where he was 14(8-12-20). The year previously, in 2002-03, the newest member of the Fury fashioned 44(51-48-99) with the Thorold Jr. ‘A' club. Zalba will be arriving Monday and will be joining his team for the remaining 4-games of the current road trip.

TOP RATE PERCOLATE: The Fury power play has been exhumed exponentially after a brief dormant deviation and aberration. Following their most pronounced drought of the season, spanning 4-games and an 0-15 stretch, the Fury struck for 3-PPG in consecutive games; 3-5, accounting for all 3-goals in a 3-2 trumping of Kalamazoo, followed by 3-7 in Friday night's 7-3 domination of Rockford. Currently 6 for the last 13 for a proficiency rating of 46.2%, Muskegon is still ranked #1 in the UHL overall in power play prowess at 46-177, 25.8% conversion rating. Meanwhile, the penalty-killing unit was touched for 3-PPGA Sunday in Flint, abdicating its throne atop the league. Still rated second-best, the Fury are operating at 87.9% efficiency at 168-191. Muskegon has produced 5-SHG while allotting 3-SHGA.

THE HISTORY BOOK LOOK: On the exclusive Fury front, Rustyn Dolyny (230) has passed Paul Kelly (228) for 11th place all-time in Fury games played. Also Dolyny's career 7-SHG tie him with Mark Turner and Andrew Luciuk for 5th Fury all-time. Scott Hollis (30) has moved into 5th place on the Fury's all-time PPG list. Brant Black-ned (274) has surged to within 4-ponts of tying Andrew Luciuk (278) for 7th all time in points. Blackned's Fury career 154-assists have advanced him to 9th all-time in that category. Robin Bouchard (345) is just 5-goals away from Fury career 350. Jeff Nelson (793) is 7-points away from pro career 800.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Veteran Bruce Ramsay in a brief cameo act emergency replace-ment role on Sunday, delivered the GWG to cap a 4-goal opening period assault which led to the Fury's 4-3 verdict in Flint. Muskegon has surrendered 3-GA or less in 30 of their first 35-games this season. When the Fury score 4 or more, they are unbeaten at 16(15-0-1). When the Fury score 3-goals or more, their record is 21(19-1-1). With the lead after two periods, the Fury are also undefeated at 19(18-0-1). When they enjoy the lead after the first period, the Fury are 15(13-1-1). The Fury's best night of the week has been Friday; 11(8-1-2). Robin Bouchard leads the Fury with 5-multiple goal games while Billy Collins is next in line with 4. Muskegon started and ended the month of December with identical 7-3 triumphs on the road; December 1st in Kansas City and December 31st in Rockford.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: For the holiday week, the Fury were unblemished with a record of 4(3-0-1) earning 7 of a possible 8-points. Starting Tuesday night on the home front, the Fury garnered one treasured point in the standings in a 3-2 OTSO affair against Missouri. Muskegon's heavy artillery was generated by a pair of defensemen, namely Nolan Brown (FG) and Jordon Flodell (GTG). In the OTSO, despite connecting on 4 of 5-shots, the Fury were out-scored by the River Otters, 5-4 in the extra session. Turning their attention to Thursday night, also at home, the Fury waylaid the Wings of Kalamazoo, 3-2, on the strength of 3-PPG. Robin Bouchard (1-1-2)PPG/FG, Jason Lawmaster (PPG) and Scott Hollis (PPG/GWG) were the sharp-shooters with Jeff Nelson hatching 3-assists. Clayton Pool gained the win with 31-saves. Embarking on a 6-game road swing, the Fury disposed of Rockford in Illinois on Friday night, 7-3. Again, 3-PPG told the tale of the tape as did Bouchard (2-3-5)PPG, Brant Blackned (1-4-5), Lawmaster (2-2-4) 2-PPG. B.J. Gaustad (1-1-2)FG and Rustyn Dolyny (GWG) also struck with Nelson engineering yet 3-more assists. Brent Belecki was a standout in goal with 36-saves. Sunday in Flint, the Fury fused a 4-goal opening period powder keg and staved off the Generals, 4-3. Blackned (1-1-2)FG, Gaustad (1-1-2), Dolyny (SHG) and Bruce Ramsay (GWG) were the marksmen for the victors. Pool, in goal, repelled 20-shots.

THE FURY GAME DATES FOR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5TH THE FURY AT RICHMOND 7:30 PM

The first of four collisions between two inter-divisional opponents and the first of a trio in Virginia. Last season, as an expansion team entry, the RiverDogs captured the season series 3(2-1-0) by capturing both contests in conquests in Richmond, before being drubbed in the lone appearance in Muskegon on the night of the regular season finale.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7TH THE FURY AT ADIRONDACK 7:00 PM

This will be the second of four clashes between Eastern Division and Central Division and the first in Glens Falls, N.Y. In the lone previous encounter, back on November 27th in Muskegon, the Frostbite topped the home standing Fury, 3-2.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8TH THE FURY AT ELMIRA 7:30 PM

For the first time this season, two finalists from last season's Colonial Cup Championship series will lock antlers. In 2003-04, the Fury met the Jackals in the Finals for the second time in 3-years with Muskegon reigning supreme for second time in a row; this time in a 4-games to none sweep. In fact, the Fury's last appearance in Elmira, back on May 14, 2004, they captured the crown in a dramatic 4-3 OT victory.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9TH THE FURY AT MOTOR CITY 5:00 PM

The third of seven meetings and the first of four of those in Fraser. The Fury have claimed a 2(2-0-0) advantage by virtue of two consecutive victories in Muskegon. The first one coming on opening night, October 15th, 5-3 with the most recent one coming November 20th, also at home, 6-1. Muskegon did extract a 6-3 decision from the fledgling Mechanics in the one and only visit to Fraser with that appearance coming during the UHL pre-season schedule.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 3, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central