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Torrid Fury sweep another week

March 13, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


TEAM TITLE TALES: Make it five consecutive weeks and still counting, of undefeated hockey for the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury. It was another sweep of the week for the men of the Fury as they registered a perfect 3(3-0-0) mark. In the process, they expanded their undefeated streak to an amazing 16-consecutive games at 16(13-0-3), registering 29 of a possible 32-points. Under the doctrine according to second-year head coach Todd Nelson, the torrid Fury have surged into a tie for the overall league-leadership in the UHL with Eastern Division-leading Adirondack. Having played 65-games with still 15-more remaining, the Fury have compiled a masterful record of 65(42-15-8) totaling 92-points while Adirondack has a mark of 66(42-16-8)for 92-points. Muskegon does have one game in hand on the Frostbite while having sustained one less loss than the team operating out of Glens Falls, NY. The Frostbite, much like the Fury, have been flourishing as well with an 8(5-1-2) mark in the last 8-games; they are 22(16-4-2) in the last 22-decisions and 31(23-6-2) in their last 31-outings. Meanwhile, Muskegon has irrigated their grip atop the Central Division by 8-points over second-place Kalamazoo 67(39-22-6)84 with the Fury still owning 2-games in hand on the Wings. Kalamazoo is currently 5(2-2-1) through the first 5-games of a 6-game home stand. Following this home stint, the Wings will play 9 of their final 12-games on the road. Only 9-points separate the top 6-teams in the UHL's overall standings as far as playoff positioning is concerned. The make-up at this hour of the season reads accordingly; 1- MUSKEGON 92; Adirondack 92; 3-Fort Wayne 86; 4-Kalamazoo 84; 5-Rockford 83; Danbury 83; 7-Missouri 76. Flint (69) and Quad City (68) are battling for the eighth and final playoff berth with the Mallards enjoying two games in hand on the Generals. This week, the Fury face the daunting task of 4-games in 5-days, including a pair of weekend home encounters against Kalamazoo and Adirondack. The Muskegon squad actually will broach the ambitious docket with a Wednesday night clash on the road in Quad City before hosting the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night and the Adirondack Frostbite this Saturday night. Coach Nelson's club completes the week with an assignment in Motor City against their former coach Danton Cole and the Motor City Mechanics.

WORLD FAMOUS STANLEY CUP COMING: When the Fury engage in combat for the Tarry Cup regular season title Saturday night at home against Adirondack, the world's greatest sports trophy in all of profession sports, the fabled Stanley Cup will also be in attendance. Lord Stanley's Cup crown will be spotlighted at center ice for the opening face-off before taking a permanent position on display in the general lobby area of Walker Arena.

SWEET 16 MACHINE: Having played the past five weeks in an undefeated fashion, the Fury have elevated their overall season record to a supreme 65(42-15-8) for 92-points. At this stage of the season, "Todd's Team" is on a resounding rampage resonating a majestic 16-games' unbeaten mark; 16(13-0-3), outscoring the opposition by nearly a 2-1 margin of 62-33. Currently on a 4-games' win streak overall, the "Furious Ones" last sustained a setback over 5-weeks ago, back on February 4th when they were clipped by Fort Wayne, 2-1. Their present 16-games' unblemished skein is both the Fury's and the UHL's longest such streak of the season. Twice earlier this season, the Fury assembled 10-games' unsullied streaks with both being 10(9-0-1). In the last 21-games, the Fury are (16-2-3); last 34(25-5-4); last 41(29-7-5). The Fury's longest win streaks of the season have been 9-in a row, (second longest in the UHL this season); two 5-game win streaks; two 4-game win skeins and one 3-game win streak. The longest losing spell has been 3-consecutively which has been incurred on two separate occasions. Muskegon's record in the first-half of the season was 40(25-10-5) for 55-points. Thus far in the second half, the record is 25(17-5-3) for 37-points. Comparing the records from one year ago, the home team was 65(42-14-9)93-points. Presently, the Fury are just one-point behind last year's pace.

PROVINCE PROOF: On the strength of two more emphatic conquests in as many contests the past weekend, the Fury home winning streak has been advanced and enhanced to a UHL-season's best 10-in succession; 10(10-0-0). In that propitious expanse, the Fury have outscored their beleaguered visitors, 45-17. For the season, Muskegon has achieved the league's premiere home mark at 34(27-4-3), outscoring the foreign ice invading parties, 135-70. The Fury's 27-home victories are the most in the UHL and are two more than the home town team earned last year (25). The 4-losses are two less than all teams in the loop. Furthermore, in the last 13 at home; 13(12-1-0); last 23(19-2-2). When including the last 9-home games of last season, the Fury home record seems almost insuperable at an extra-ordinary 43(36-4-3) for a winning percentage of a sizzling .872. Also, this season, the Fury have attained two 4-game win streaks as well as unblemished skeins of 9(7-0-2) and 7(6-0-1). Muskegon has been impeccable at home against its own Central Division as their 13(13-0-0) record would testify.

ROAD-RICH ROYALTY: In their lone road excursion of the past week, the Fury traveled to Flint for an intra-divisional affair on a Tuesday morning as they dispatched the Generals, 3-2. Through their most recent road warfare accomplishment, the Fury swelled their unblemished abroad streak to 6-games; 6(3-0-3), earning 9 of a possible 12-points. Moreover, Muskegon has crafted a superb 16(10-3-3) mark in their last 16-expeditions into hostile territory. For the entire season, they have compiled road record that is now 4-games superior to the .500 plateau at 31(15-11-5). The longest road win streak has been 6-consecutively which is the second longest in the UHL this season. There has also been one 3-games' victory streak when trekking across the UHL hinterlands. The longest losing spaces abroad have been 4-in a row and 3-consecutively.

DIVISION INCISION: Muskegon's marauding men of "Fury-dom" have been dominating all three divisions of the UHL in recent action. In their own Central Division, they have been magnificent with a record of 27(22-3-2), earning 46 out of a possible 54-points for a winning percentage of a gaudy .850. They are an indomitable 13(13-0-0) at home and 14(9-3-2) on the road. In the Eastern Division, the Fury are currently riding the rising rapids of a 7-games' win streak; 7(7-0-0) as they have upgraded their mark in this category to 8(7-1-0). They are 5(4-1-0) at home and an immaculate 3(3-0-0) on the road. Against the Western Division, "Todd's Team" has manifested the most marked improvement. They are unbeaten in the last 7-games at 7(6-0-1). In the process, the Fury have bettered their mark at 30(13-11-6); at home: 16(10-3-3); on the road: 14(3-8-3). The breakdown; Central Division: Kalamazoo 8(7-0-1)30-18; home: 3(3-0-0)12-6; road: 5(4-0-1)18-11; Motor City 5(5-0-0)24-9; home: 3(3-0-0)16-5; road: 2(2-0-0)8-4; Flint 9(7-2-0)24-23; home: 4(4-0-0)9-5; road: 5(3-2-0)15-18; Port Huron 4(3-1-1)18-13; home: 3(3-0-0)14-6; road: 2(0-1-1)4-7. Western Division: Missouri 6(3-1-2)20-17; home: 3(2-0-1)13-9; road: 3(1-1-1)7-8; Quad City 6(4-2-0); home: 4(4-0-0)18-7; road: 2(0-2-0)2-5; Kansas City 7(3-2-2)23-20; home: 3(2-1-0)12-7; road: 4(1-1-2)11-13; Rockford 6(3-3-0)18-15; home: 2(2-0-0)8-3; road: 4(1-3-0)10-12; Fort Wayne 5(0-3-2); home: 4(0-2-2); road: 1(0-1-0)2-4. Eastern Division: Richmond 3(3-0-0)14-6; home: 2(2-0-0)9-3; road: 1(1-0-0)5-3; Elmira 2(2-0-0)14-1; home: 1(1-0-0)9-1; road: 1(1-0-0)5-0; Danbury 1(1-0-0)4-0; home: 1(1-0-0)4-0; Adirondack 2(1-1-0)4-4; home: 1(0-1-0)2-4; road: 1(1-0-0)2-1.

PRODUCE AND REDUCE: The Fury's offensive punch has produced prodigiously in recent activity. In gigantic-ally sweeping a pair of home encounters the past weekend; a 5-2 dismissal of Richmond Friday night and a 9-1 Saturday night carnage of visiting Elmira, the Fury have catapulted into a share of the UHL league-lead in overall goal productivity, generating 224-GF in 64 games for a GFA of 3.45. Muskegon shares such lofty distinction with Adirondack. During their 16-games' undefeated streak, the Fury firing line has cannon-shot 62-GF for a GFA of 3.88. At their own blue-line, the Fury continue to practice parsimony as the #1 defensive ensemble cast in the circuit. The blue-line brigade has allotted only 157-GA in 64-outings for a GAA of a thrifty and nifty 2.42. In their current 16-games' unblemished skein, the Fury's dynamic defense has reluctantly relented to the tune of only 33-GA for a GAA of 2.06. During their 10-game win streak on the homestead, the "Muskegonites" have yielded but 17-GA for a GAA of 1.70. When they permit 3-GA or less in a game this season, the Fury icers' record has been an outstanding 54(39-9-6). In 54 of 65-games, the Fury have allowed 3-GA or less.

TOP LADDER LUMINOUS: The UHL's defending scoring titlist, Robin Bouchard, has ascended to 3rd in the league scoring derby with 60(35-46-81). Brant Blackned 61(26-51-77) has surged to circuit 6th with Jeff Nelson 65(19-56-75) ranked 10th. Bouchard's 35-goals tie him for 2nd most in the league while Nelson's 56-assists tie him for 4th most league-wide. Bouchard's 17-PPG lead the league with Blackned's 13 ranking him 6th. Bouchard's 42-PP/Points are foremost in the UHL with Blackned 2nd, collecting 37. With 25-PP/Assists, Bouchard ranks 3rd with teammates Blackned and Nelson tied for 4th with 24. Nelson is tied for the league-leadership in GWG with 6. Blackned and Scott Hollis are close behind with 5-GWG. Rustyn Dolyny's 4-SHG rank him 5th and B.J. Gaustad continues to lead the UHL in goal-scoring shooting percentage at 23/111 for a marksmanship of .207. Jason Lawmaster ranks 5th in the UHL with 57-minor penalties; David Ambler is 4th in majors with 24. In the UHL rookie scoring department, Billy Collins 52(15-10-25) is 18th and Bill Zalba 58(10-14-24) is ranked 19th. Nolan Brown's +16 rating lists him 4th best among rookies. Among all UHL defensemen, Dave Van Drunen (+22) and Jordon Flodell (+22) are tied for 5th best. Meanwhile, Flodell is 3rd in majors with 11. In the UHL goaltending category, rookie sensation Clayton Pool continues to have the league's best winning record at 25(17-3-5) for a mark of .780. Pool ranks #3 in the loop with a 2.30 GAA. Sylvain Daigle leads the league in SPCT at .934; Pool is tied for 5th at .918.

MASTER BLASTER: Left Wing/Defenseman Jason Lawmaster saw action at both positions for the week and came-up all aces in both places. Playing left wing Tuesday in Flint, he connected on the key, clutch TBG to snap a 1-1 tie in the second stanza on an electrifying coast-to-coast "human freight train" singular rush. Both Friday and Saturday nights, he was moved back to the blue-line where he responded with 1-goal, 3-assists and 4-points in convincing conquests over Richmond and Elmira. In Saturday's 9-1 romp over the Jackals, "The Lawman" was (1-2-3) with the game's FG that torched the 9-goal torrent, earning the game's #3 Star with a brilliant +5 rating. For the week, he was 3(2-4-6) with 1-TBG, 1-FG, 11-SOG and a +7 rating. Lawmaster has now amassed points in 12 of the last 13-games; 13(5-11-16); in his last 32-games; 32(15-20-35). Lawmaster is the Fury's nomination for Sher-wood / UHL Player of the Week.

THE GOALIE OF RECORD: Nine-year veteran netminder Sylvain Daigle seems to be on a Muskegon mission to absolutely re-write the franchise history book of records. This past week alone, the Fury's human puck barricade Daigle scribed two more entries. By posting a perfect 2(2-0-0) record for the week, he established a new all-time Fury record for most consecutive victories in regular season play at 10-in a row; 10(10-0-0), shattering the previous standard which had been set by his immediate predecessor, Joe Dimaline at 9. In addition, he climbed into third place all-time in UHL history with Fury wins #146 and #147. His GAA for the week was 2.00, rebuking 49 of 53-shots for a SPCT of .925. During his record-breaking, history-making 10-game win skein, Daigle has grudgingly surrendered a meager 15-GA for a GAA of 1.50 with a SPCT of .949. Once again, this week, Daigle is the Fury's nomination for Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week.

"TODDSTREAK" UNIQUE: The Fury's pre-eminent prince of points playmaking pivot Todd Robinson seems to be a man obsessed and possessed since his second coming to Muskegon town. In his team's latest sweep of the week, "T. Rob" was never better with his adept, adroit and artful arrangements. In those 3-games, he was 3(0-6-6) with 5-SOG and an excellent +4 rating. The latest "Robinsonian" point-scoring manifesto has progressed to 10-games with 17-total points, currently the best such streak in the league. In his first 12-games back from AHL Grand Rapids, he is 12(6-13-19). However, transcending and otherwise superseding all of those individual accomplish-ments has been the remarkable Robinson streak when #19 is inserted into the kingpins' lineup. Dating back to late last season, the Fury are undefeated in the last 38-games in which their star-studded, stylish center has been present in the lineup; 38(35-0-3).

THE "BIG BEAR" BARRAGE: Ten-year veteran left wing Brant Blackned blazed a "Big Bear" bounteous bar-rage the past weekend in the Fury's dispensing of both Richmond and Elmira on successive nights. Friday night, in the 5-2 verdict over the RiverDogs, he earned the game's #1 Star with a sterling 4-points' masterpiece on 2-first period goals and 2-third period assists. Then 24-hours later, he performed an encore of his scoring exploits with 2-more strikes in the 9-1 demolition of the Jackals. For the weekend, he was 2(4-2-6) with 2-PPG, 1-FG, 12-SOG and a +2 rating. It was the fifth time this season that Blackned had engineered 4 or more scoring points in a single game.

"BOUCH"-JUICE JUGGERNAUT: The Fury's all-time "Gun-Sling King" Rockin' Robin Bouchard achieved a Fury performance for the Muskegon pro hockey annals and ages Saturday night when he fired his first 3-goal "hat-trick" of the year as part of a prodigious 5-points production in the onslaught against Elmira. Named the Fury's "Star of Game," the Fury's all-time career premiere cannoneer cannonaded 2-PPG and the GWG while essaying a superb +3 rating and a kilowatt-shot that reached 10. For "Bouch Almighty," it was his club-high 8th multiple-goal game of the season and his third 5-point night of the campaign.

THE JORDON JUNCTION: Unsung and unheralded defenseman Jordon Flodell continues to pay some rather handsome dividends on the Fury's #1 defense. In 3-games the past week, he was 3(0-2-2) with both assists hatched Saturday night against Elmira. For the week as well, he radiated to the tune of a stellar +6 rating; earning a +5 rating alone, in that same Saturday night success.

DISRUPTED ROSTER: The Fury are enduring the almighty war of attrition and it was especially prevalent the past week. In fact, both Friday and Saturday nights, they actually operated under the 18-man game-active limit. On Friday, there were only 16 to choose from for "T.Nel" with a slightly better selection process Saturday at 17. Captain Rustyn Dolyny has missed the last 5-games, Nolan Brown and David Ambler have been marked absent for the last 2-games while defenseman Jon Insana has been summoned to AHL Grand Rapids.

PLUS PLAYING POLISH: This week's latest update on the Fury's premiere, premium, positive, plus players include, in order: 1- B.J. Gaustad +22; Dave Van Drunen +22; Jordon Flodell +22; 4-Brant Blackned +19; 5- Jeff Nelson +17; 6- Nolan Brown +16; 7- Robin Bouchard +13; 8- Jason Lawmaster +9; Kevin Haupt +9; Jon Insana +9.

FROM HIBERNATING TO PERCOLATING: The Fury power play, #1 rated in the UHL, shed its sterile straight jacket the past weekend in a most prolific fashion. In the two triumphs over Richmond and Elmira, the extra man band stoked 5-PP strikes following an uncharacteristically 2-30 famine. Muskegon stroked 4 of those 5-PPG in the final 5-advantages for the weekend for a magical 80.0% proficiency rating. The Fury were actually 5 for the last 8 or 62.5 proficiency. For the season, they are 70-293 for a conversion mark of 23.9%. The 70-PPG are 6-more than the rest of the UHL. In the meantime, the penalty-killing cast continues kinetically. Ranked #1 in the league as well, the Fury are 300-337 for an efficiency report card of a masterful 89.0%. Muskegon has defused 95 of the last 103 opposition's opportunities for a mark of an extraordinary 92.2%.

HISTORY HITS: With his 4-goals in the last 2-games, Brant Blackned (326) has vaulted over Paul Polillo (325) for 5th place on the UHL's all-time goal-scoring list. Blackned's next Fury goal (133) will tie him with Brett Seguin (134) for 2nd place on the Fury's career list. Todd Robinson is just 3-games away from tying Andrew Luciuk (287) for 6th and 4-games away from tying Sergei Kharin (288) for 5th place for most Fury career games. Scott Hollis' next goal will be the 300th of his pro career. Hollis (97) is only 3-goals shy of 100 for the Fury. Jeff Nelson (943) is 7-games away from career 950.

FEW FUN FURY FAST FACTS FROM "FIC": With their two consecutive wins this weekend over Richmond and Elmira, the Fury have swelled their win streak against the Eastern Division to 7-in a row; 7(7-0-0). In defeating Elmira in both meetings thus far this season in Colonial Cup III revisited, the Fury have outscored the Jackals, 14-1. The Fury's 9-goal output Saturday night was their best of the season and tied for the best in the UHL this year. Muskegon is an amazing +41 in the second period this season, outscoring the opposition, 96-55 overall and 57-26 at home. The Fury's combined record on Friday 21(14-3-4) and Saturday 19(15-3-1) is a scintillating 40(29-6-5).

THE FURY GAME CALENDAR THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH THE FURY AT QUAD CITY 8:00 PM

The seventh and final time the two long-time, abrasive arch-enemies will lock antlers in regular season competition and the third clash in Moline, IL. The Fury have clinched the series , 6(4-2-0), by virtue of a perfect 4(4-0-0) mark on home ice. In fact, the home ice advantage has been tantamount to success in the first half-dozen dates with Muskegon 2(0-2-0) in the Quad Cities. The Mallards are in the midst of playing 13 of their final 17-games at home where they have truly shined this year as reflected in their 28(18-6-4) record. "The Greenheads" are in a titanic tussle for the coveted 8th and final playoff berth with Flint.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH KALAMAZOO AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

Also, the last clash of the regular phase for the two nearby West Michigan rivals and the fourth one to have a Muskegon backdrop. The Fury have cemented the series at 8(7-0-1) through a record of 5(4-0-1) in Kalamazoo and a 3(3-0-0) mark in Muskegon. The Fury begin the week 8-points ahead of the Wings for the Central Division title. This will be the Wings first road affair following an extended 6-game home stand. Kalamazoo has really thrived abroad, sharing the league-lead in road wins with 20. They are currently on a 4-game win streak away and are 13(11-2-0) in the last 13-bouts abroad.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH ADIRONDACK AT THE FURY 7:30 PM

Perhaps, the showdown in our town for the regular season Tarry Cup leadership in the UHL. Both teams commence the week with a league-high of 92-points with the Fury having one game in hand on the Frostbite, who also have garnered 20-road wins with one of those coming in their only previous visit here, back on November 27th, a 3-2 triumph. The series is currently deadlocked at 2(1-1-0) as Muskegon prevailed in the last actual clash on January 7th in Glens Falls, NY, 2-1.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH THE FURY AT MOTOR CITY 5:00 PM

The sixth meeting of the season, the third in Fraser and the first since the coaching takeover of former Fury Colonial Cup II and Grand Rapids head coach Danton Cole. The Mechanics, with Cole behind the bench and the infusion of 4-NHL luminaries, Chris Chelios, Derian Hatcher, Bryan Smolinski and Sean Avery are 12(8-3-1) in the last 12-games and 4(3-1-0) with Cole at the helm, winning the last 3-in a row. The Fury are a perfect 5(5-0-0) against the Detroit team and 2(2-0-0) in "The Garage."

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