Torrid Fury complete sweep of six-game road trip

January 10, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: The most torrid team in the United Hockey League at this hour of the 2004-05 season is none other than the reigning Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury. Under the doctrine according to second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the molten-lava hot "Fury-men" have rocketed meteorically to a treasured share of the overall league leadership in the UHL while strengthening and otherwise lengthening their advantage atop their own Central Division standings. Having completed an extraordinary sweep of all 6-games in a grueling, if not tortuous 6-game road excursion, and having actually won 7-games in a row, Muskegon's mighty men of pro hockey have arrived one game shy of the halfway mark in the 80-games' schedule with a superlative record of 39(24-10-5) totaling 53-points and a winning percentage of a circuit's second best .679. The Fury currently share the overall league lead with the top two teams of the Western Division; namely Fort Wayne 40(25-12-3)53 and Rockford 38(24-9-5)53. Meanwhile, Muskegon has increased its advantage atop their own division to 6-points over second place Flint 27(20-10-7)47 with the Generals holding 2-games in hand and 8-points over streaking third-place Kalamazoo 38(21-14-3)45 with the Wings having won 6-in succession, including the first 5-games of their own 6-game road trek. As for the Generals, they are 14(8-2-4) in their past 14-games overall and 13(11-1-1) in their last 13 games at home with the sole setback in that span inflicted by the Fury. This upcoming weekend will be an exciting one for the Fury and their fond following of faithful fans as the home town team finally returns home after more than a 2-weeks' absence from the friendly climes and environs of Walker Arena. It has been billed "The Scott Feasby Retirement Party Weekend" as the Fury's long-time star and team captain will be honored on consecutive nights to salute and celebrate his legendary pro career. Friday night, the Fury will host much-improved division rival Port Huron before the always-menacing Missouri River Otters come to town on Saturday night. Then on Monday, January 17th, the Fury will return to foreign ice warfare when they travel to Kansas City where they will be guested by the Outlaws in a rare Monday matinee game that will begin at 1:00 pm.

THE RECORD RED GLARE: Having composed a perfect week of 4(4-0-0) through 4-road games in 5-days with inordinate travel logs, the Fury did complete the sweep of a 6-game road trip; 6(6-0-0)28-13. In the process, the "Furious Ones" have elevated their overall record to a sterling 39(24-10-5)53-points and a .679 winning percentage. Overall, "Todd's Team" is currently riding the rising rapids of a 7-game winning streak, outscoring the embattled adversaries, 31-15. The 7-game in streak is the longest of this season and the team's longest since an 8-game regular season victory streak back in the 2001-02 season, the year of Colonial Cup II. In the last 8, the Fury are 8(7-0-1); the last 15(11-2-2); last 21(13-4-4). The "Muskegonites" have also composed a 5-game win streak and a 4-game win streak thus far this season. And, of course, the league's current co-leaders launched the campaign with an all-time best club start-ever 10-games' undefeated streak; 10(9-0-1). The longest losing stretch has been 3-in a row. Comparing records, after 39-games last season, the Fury mark was 39(26-10-3)55-points. The Fury are currently 2-wins and 2-points behind last year's clip.

HOME HOT SPOT: The aroused and vivified Fury have catapulted to the top tower with the UHL's premiere home record. Through the first 18-home dates, they are a masterful 18(13-2-3), accruing 29 of a possible 36-points. Their 2-home setbacks are the least in the league. Muskegon is presently enjoying a 7-game unbeaten streak at home; 7(5-0-2) which matches their longest of the year. Earlier they assembled a 7(6-0-1) home log. They are 10(7-1-2) in the last 10-home shows and dating back to late last season, the Fury have approaching invincibility at home with an amazing mark of 27(22-2-3). Longest home win streak has been 4-consecutively; a feat which has been accomplished twice. They are an impeccably perfect 9(9-0-0) at home against their own Central Division rivals.

RESTORE ROAD ROAR: The defending titlists have been extraordinary in recent road warfare. They are presently on an impressive, season's best 6-game winning streak which also gains the distinction of being the UHL's best overall road win streak of all teams in the league thus far for this season; 6(6-0-0)28-13. Muskegon is now 10(7-2-1) in their last 10-starts abroad. "The Knights of Nelson" commenced the recent road swing with a record 3-games under .500 at 15(5-8-2). They returned home with the road record now 3-games above the .500 barrier at 21(11-8-2). Their 11-road victories tie them for second most in the league.

DIVISION PRECISION: The "Hockeytown-Titletown Team" has been utterly brilliant in competition within their own Central Division as their 18(15-3-0) mark would suggest and reflect. They are a perfect 9(9-0-0) at home and a stellar 9(6-3-0) abroad against the Michigan-only teams. In addition, after this past week, they are now on a 3-game win streak against Eastern Division delegates. 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 3(3-0-0)16-7; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Port Huron 3(2-1-0)11-7; home: 2(2-0-0)10-4; road: 1(0-1-0)1-3. Western Division:17(6-6-5); home: 8(4-1-3); road: 9(2-5-2);Kansas City 4(3-0-1)17-8; home: 2(2-0-0)11-4; 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)2-3; 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: 4(3-1-0)14-7; home: 1(0-1-0)2-3; road: 3(3-0-0)12-4; Elmira 1(1-0-0)5-0; road: 1(1-0-0)5-0; Richmond 1(1-0-0)5-3; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Adirondack 2(1-1-0)3-4; home: 1(0-1-0)2-3; road: 1(1-0-0)2-1.

CONFLUENCE FLOW: During this current 7-game win streak, which currently equals the longest thus far this season in the UHL, the Fury have come together both offensively and defensively with magnificent harmony. In the last 7-games, the Fury have generated 31-GF for a GFA of a healthy 4.43. They amassed 28-GF alone in the flaw-less 6-game road sojourn for a GFA of 4.67. Defensively, Muskegon has been stout and sturdy, surrendering only 15-GA for a GAA of a frugal 2.14. In their 4-games' sweep of the week this past week, they reluctantly relented to the tune of only 7-GA for a GAA of 1.75. For the season, the Fury ranked UHL #3 in GF with 131 in 39-games for a GFA of 3.36. They are #2 defensively and climbing for the fewest GA with 96-GA for a GAA of an avarice 2.46.

STARS OF STATS AND STAGE: UHL defending scoring champion Robin Bouchard 39(23-29-52) has vaulted to a tie for 3rd in the league-wide scoring chase with Brant Blackned 39(14-31-45) climbing to a tie for 8th and Jeff Nelson 39(11-32-43) ranked 11th. Bouchard's 23-goals rank 4th with Nelson's 32-assists tying him for 3rd and Blackned's 31-helpers listing him 5th in the league. Bouchard's 11-PPG tie him for 2nd most with Blackned and Scott Hollis 7-PPG ranking them 5th. Bouchard leads the UHL in PP/Points with 28 with Blackned tied for 3rd in the same category with 24. Bouchard and Blackned are both tied for 2nd most PP/ Assists with 17. Rustyn Dolyny's 3-SHG tie him for 2nd most in the loop while B.J.Gaustad's 15/60, .250 goal-scoring shooting percentage ranks a lofty runner-up in the UHL in that department. Jason Lawmaster's 36-minor penalties lead the league; David Ambler's 15-majors tie him for 5th most. Despite missing 9-games thus far due to injury, Billy Collins 29(10-8-18) still ranks 12th in rookie scoring with his 5-PPG tying him for rookie runner-up and his 10/57, .175 goal-scoring shooting percentage rating him 3rd best among rookies. In the goaltending department, Clayton Pool is still ranked #1 with a GAA of a stingy 1.98 while his SPCT of .927 ties him for 3rd best. Brent Belecki is ranked 10th with a GAA of 2.47.

"GUN-SLING KING COLUSSUS": The Fury's all-time leading goal and point kingpin, right wing Rockin' Robin Bouchard has been majestic during his squad's electrifying 7-game winning streak. The past week, alone, he sparked the Fury to 4-road wins in 5-days with 4(4-6-10) with 11-SOG and a dazzling +7 rating. "Bouch Almighty" essayed 4-consecutive multi-point games. During Muskegon's current 7-game win streak, he has been on a veritable scoring scourge with 7(7-11-18) In his last 10-games; 10(9-12-21). He also leads the Fury in multiple goal games with 6. Bouchard is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

NO RELENT IN BRENT: Seven-year pro goalkeeper Brent Belecki turned in another sound and solid week in goal for the home team. Appearing in two games, he was undefeated at 2(2-0-0); backstopping his team to a 5-3 victory verdict Wednesday night in Richmond before being acclaimed the game's #1 Star Saturday night in Elmira where he shunned 24-shots in his first-ever Fury shutout and a 5-0 domination of the Jackals. For the week, Belecki compiled a GAA of a scintillating 1.50 and SPCT of .943; 50/53. In his last 3-starts, he is a perfect 3(3-0-0) with a 2.00 GAA and a SPCT of bedazzling .935. Brent Belecki is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

INSISTING ON ASSISTING: Ten-year standout Brant Blackned has been one of the Fury's real supreme catalysts during the 7-game win streak. The past week he was magical in authoring four consecutive multi-point perform-ances in 4-straight hostile territory triumphs. For the week, he was 4(1-9-10) with 6-SOG, two #1 Star of the game honors and a brilliant +8 rating. During the Fury's present 7-game winning streak, Blackned has been in a zone of his own with 7(3-15-18) as he has played as if a man obsessed and possessed.

B.J. JAZZY AND SNAZZY: Second-year center B.J. Gaustad is blossoming promisingly for the first-place perched Fury. In the sinuous scenario consisting of 4-games in 5-days with exorbitant travel, the American-bred from Portland, Oregon was terrific and prolific going 4(4-1-5) with 6-SOG two #1 Star of the game kudos and one #2 Star honors. He was a sparkling +6 rating for the week. During the Fury's recently-concluded undefeated 6-game road expedition, Gaustad was at the very top of his game, fashioning 6(6-3-9) and a +7 rating. Still one game away from the mid-way point in the schedule, Gaustad has already equaled his entire goal output of his rookie season last year when he connected on 15-goals. His strong +9 rating is second best among all of the Fury forwards.

THE LAWMAN MIGHT: Transplanted left wing and right wing Jason Lawmaster has also been a key, integral cog in Muskegon's rapid rise recently. The past week, he connected on a pair of key, clutch GWGs including the FG/PPG and ultimate GWG in the Fury's 5-0 dispensing of Elmira as well as the GWG to open the week in the 5-3 triumph at Richmond. For the week, he was 2(2-0-2) with 12-SOG. Lawmaster has produced 5 of his 7-goals this season during his team's current 7-game winning streak; 7(5-3-8) with 4 of those strikes stoked on the power play.

ELEVEN HEAVEN: The Fury's sleek, silk, satin center 11-Jeff Nelson has been on a scoring scourge during this Fury's red-hot streak. In fact, the past week, "J.Nel" engineered 5-points in 4-games on 4(2-3-5) with 16-SOG, one #3 Star and one #2 Star. During Muskegon's 7-game win streak, Nelson has been thriving with 7(2-9-11). For the season, thus far, he ranks tied for second in the UHL in GWG with 4. His lofty +10 rating ranks 4th for the Fury and first for the Fury among their forwards.

"POOLSEYE": First-year goaltender Clayton Pool has been a most pleasant discovery for the Fury this season. The UHL's top-ranked "Net Detective" is currently enjoying a personal 4-game winning streak with a 2.25 GAA in that span. Furthermore, he is 9(8-1-0) in his last 9-decisions. Pool has attained status standing of the league's best goaltending record at 18(12-2-2) with his mere 2-defeats representing the least in the league.

"THE Z-MAN": The Fury's newest acquisition, rookie right wing Bill Zalba has stepped into the first-place Fury lineup and started contributing immediately. Playing his first 4-ever Fury games the past week on the road trip, he was a real sparkplug, earning an excellent, early +2 rating while delivering his first 2-goals for his new team Sunday in Muskegon's thrilling come back victory over Motor City. Zalba emanated and culminated the Fury's 4-goal second period rally, which overcame a 3-0 shortfall, as the former Brock U. standout struck twice. The first goal triggered the resurgence before the second one forged a tie to cap the comeback.

FIRST FIGURING: The Fury special teams remain special with both the power play and the penalty-killing outfits ranked #1 in the UHL. On the power play, the Fury are 48-185 for a proficiency rating of 26.0% with their 48-PPG also pacing the league. The power play has been potent in recent vintage, going 5 for the last 14, 35.7% and 8 for the last 21, 38.1%. The shorthand band has been especially effective in the latest action. For the season, they are 181-204 for an efficiency rating of 88.8%. Muskegon has precluded 12-consecutive enemy man advantages. The Fury have collected 5-SHG and surrendered 3 of the same.

THE 800 CLUB: Robin Bouchard recently became only the fourth player in UHL history to reach 800-UHL career scoring points. Meanwhile, center Jeff Nelson 911(272-525-797) is just 3-points from pro career 800. Left wing Brant Blackned 621(361-432-793) is 7-points hence from pro career 800. This past week alone, Blackned vaulted from 8th place to 5th place on the Fury's all-time points list with 284, passing Andrew Luciuk (278), Paul Kelly (281) and Mark Turner (283). Kevin Haupt 306(41-102-143) is 7-points away from pro career 150.

"THE SLY-GUY BACK IN TOWN": The Fury's two-time team MVP and 2004 UHL Colonial Cup MVP Syl-vain Daigle has returned to the Fury after playing earlier this season overseas in London. Owner of the vast majority of Fury goaltending records, Daigle is expected to officially rejoin the team this week. It will be his 9th pro season and his 5th with the Fury. He is the winningest goaltender in Fury franchise history and ranks 5th all-time in UHL history in the same category.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": Muskegon has surrendered 3-GA or less in 34 of their first 39-games thus far this season. When the Fury score 4 or more, their record is unblemished at 19(18-0-1). When the Fury are leading entering the third period, they are also undefeated at 22(21-0-1). When the Fury are leading after the first period, their record is 18(16-1-1). Muskegon's best night of the week has been Friday with a mark of 12(9-1-2). Muskegon has yielded the fewest GA in the UHL in the first period, 24. They are the highest scoring team in the second period with 55-goals. The Fury's best period abroad has been the second, out-scoring the opposition, 28-22. The Fury are 20(10-5-5) in 1-goal games; 9(5-1-3) at home.

POST WEEK WRAP-UP: Playing 4-road games in 5-days with some rather considerable travel, the Fury were dynamic in posting a perfect 4(4-0-0) week. Last Wednesday night in Richmond, they built a commanding 5-0 late second period lead before ultimately stopping the RiverDogs, 5-3. Robin Bouchard (2-1-3)FG/PPG, Brant Blackned (1-3-4), Jason Lawmaster (GWG) and Jon Insana also connected with Jeff Nelson adding 2-assists. Brent Belecki landed the win with 26-saves. Friday night in Adirondack, Bouchard's TB/GWG at 13:07 of the third period severed a 1-1 tie and seized victory for the victors, 2-1. Bouchard (1-1-2) and B.J Gaustad (FG) were the Muskegon marks-men with Blackned assisting on both goals. Clayton Pool turned aside 26-shots. Saturday night in Elmira, it was an absolute masterpiece for the Fury as they extinguished the Jackals in the revisiting of Colonial Cup III, 5-0. Gaustad scored twice more with Nelson (1-1-2) Lawmaster (FG/GWG) and Kevin Haupt (UG) also making connection. Bouchard had 3-assists, Blackned had 2-helpers. Belecki was superb with a 24-saves shutout performance. Sunday in Motor City, the Fury were spellbinding and riveting as they overcame a 3-0 early second period deficit and on the impetus of 5-unanswered come-from-behind goals, the Fury garaged the Mechanics, 5-3. Bill Zalba (2-0-2) GTG, Bouchard (1-1-2)ENG, Gaustad (1-1-2) and Nelson (GWG) torched the resurgence with Blackned assisting twice more. Pool blockaded 19-shots.

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14TH PORT HURON AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

The fourth of seven sessions to be staged this season and the third of four of those duels to originate in Muskegon. The Fury lead the season series thus far, 3(2-1-0) with the home standing team holding serve thus far. Muskegon has aced the Beacons at home twice this season by results of 6-2 and 4-2 and currently have a 15-games' home ice unsullied skein against their East Michigan rivals; 15(12-0-3). Port Huron has been flourishing lately as well. The Beacons are 21(15-5-1) in their last 21-games.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15TH MISSOURI AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

This will be the fourth of six clashes and the second of a trio to be held in Muskegon. The Fury are still in search for that initial triumph over the River Otters. The Fury are 3(0-1-2) against the league's most vastly-improved team. They are 1(0-0-1) at home. Muskegon has captured the season series from Missouri only once through the first 5-years of competition with that one series win coming last season at 12(9-2-1).

MONDAY, JANUARY 17TH THE FURY AT KANSAS CITY 1:00 PM

An unusual Monday afternoon game for the Fury in Kansas City as they tackle the expansion Outlaws for the fifth time this season and a third consecutive time in Kemper Arena. The Fury lead the series, 4(3-0-1). They are 2(2-0-0) at home and 2(1-0-1) on the road.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 10, 2005


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