FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2000

ROCKETS FALL TO THE GRIFFINS

Coquitlam - The Vancouver Griffins defeated the Global Rockets 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Planet Ice in Coquitlam. The game was the first between the two teams since the Rockets delivered Vancouver their first SCFAHL loss on November 5th. The Griffins jumped out to an early lead on goals by Natalie Christensen and Elaine Topolnisky, and were up 4-1 at the end of a fast-paced first period. Logan Lake's Topolnisky picked up three points in the first period, while teammate Michelle McLeary, of Burnaby, earned two.

Rockets' net-minder Kendall Trout had an strong game, stopping 26 of the 31 shots she faced, and keeping her team in it in the second when the Rockets were out-shot 16 - 2. Michelle Morgan scored both of the Rockets' goals while her team was on the power play. Griffins' Captain Nancy Drolet scored the team's final two goals, the first one shorthanded and the last unassisted.

The win puts the Griffins' overall record at 12-4-0, and SCFAHL record at 5-1-0. The two teams will face off again at Queens Park Arena on Thursday December 14, 7:45 pm.

Established in January of this year, the Vancouver Griffins are the newest franchise in the 10-team NWHL, the world's premier women's hockey league. The Griffins compete in the SCFAHL and are playing an exhibition schedule in the NWHL this season. They will begin full interlocking play in the NWHL in 2001-2002. According to CHA statistics, participation in female hockey has grown by more than 400% in the last 10 years, making it among the fastest growing sports in the world.

Game Summary: Vancouver Griffins 5 at Coquitlam Rockets 2 Coquitlam- SCFAHL

First Period
1. Vancouver, Christensen (Gray, Sneyd) 1:15
2. Vancouver, Topolnisky (McLeary) 2:46
3. Coquitlam, Morgan (Pellat, Wood) 11:25 (pp)
4. Vancouver, McLeary (Topolnisky) 12:49 (sh)
5. Vancouver, Drolet (Topolnisky, Pickford) 13:11(sh)

Penalties
Schmidt VCR (holding) 3:27, Coates COQ (holding) 5:35, Trout COQ (cross checking, served by Travis) 6:10, Jarcon COQ (roughing) 6:49, Vancouver bench (unsportsmanlike conduct; served by Grundy) 11:29, McLeary VCR (interference) 11:29

Second Period
No scoring

Penalties
Olsen VCR, Ramberg COQ (roughing) 0:23, Berg VCR, (roughing) 2:20, Kaye COQ (holding the stick) 2:20, Wood COQ, (body checking) 7:38

Third Period
6. Rockets, Morgan (Cham, Wood) 12:34 (pp)
7. Griffins, Drolet (unassisted) 14:01

Penalties
Vancouver bench (too many men, served by Sneyd) 10:34

Shots on goal by Vancouver 16 16 9 31
Rockets 6 2 1 9
Goal (saves/shots) - Vancouver: Cloutier (W, 7/9);
Coquitlam: Trout (L, 26/31)

Referee - Teresa Anderson. Linesmen - Liam Coughlan, Cecil Jeljer

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