FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2001

GRIFFINS STRIKE FIRST IN SCFAHL PLAYOFFS

New Westminster - The Vancouver Griffins won their first SCFAHL playoff game at Queens Park Arena tonight, defeating the Richmond Steelers 3-0. Krista Cloutier earned the shutout, her third in a row, with help from the Griffins' blueliners who held Richmond to eight shots in the game. Caroline Hall and Julia Berg scored the first two goals for Vancouver. Nancy Drolet was a last minute addition to the Griffins roster, just returned from Team Canada's Western Tour. Despite traveling straight from the airport to join her teammates at Queens Park, Drolet earned an assist and picked up an empty-net goal. Leanne Ross was solid once again in net for Richmond, stopping 26 of the 28 shots she faced.

The Griffins will play the Global Rockets in Coquitlam on Sunday to finish the playoff round. Either Richmond or Coquitlam will join the Kamloops Outbacks and the host Vancouver Griffins in the BCAHA Senior Female AAA Provincial Champions February 10th and 11th.

Established in January 2000, 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: Richmond Steelers 0 at Vancouver Griffins 3
New Westminster- SCFAHL Playoffs

First Period
1. Vancouver, Hall (Pickford, Pitre) 14:19

Penalties
S. Fong RCD (tripping) 5:23, Bradford RCD (high sticking) 3:18

Second Period
2. Vancouver, Berg (Drolet, Hawrish) 14:14 (pp)

Penalties
Christensen VCR (elbowing) 10:26, Snyed RCD (cross checking) 10:34, J. Fong RCD (high sticking)13:40, Snyed RCD (body checking) 14:54

Third Period
3. Vancouver, Drolet (unassisted) 14:46 (en)

Penalties J. Fong RCD (interference) 2:27, Richmond Bench, served by Alexander 2:33, Topolnisky VCR (hooking) 7:17, Stephens VCR (elbowing) 8:54, Gray VCR (holding the stick) 11:00

Shots on goal by Vancouver 8 11 10 29 Calgary 1 2 5 8
Goal (Saves/Shot) - Vancouver: Cloutier (W, 8/8),
Richmond: Ross (L, 26/28)
Power Plays (goals - chances) -Vancouver: 1/7, Richmond: 0/4
Referee - Yanick Harrison. Linesmen - Liam Coughlan, Teresa Anderson Elizabeth Arden Player of the Game Awards:
Richmond Steelers- #32- Leanne Ross
Vancouver Griffins - #18- Nancy Drolet

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