FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2001

ROCKETS ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS BY THE GRIFFINS

Coquitlam - The Vancouver Griffins defeated the Coquitlam Rockets 5-1 at Planet Ice on Sunday in the SCFAHL playoffs. The Rockets played to a 2-2 tie on Saturday night against the Richmond Steelers, and needed a win or a tie today to advance to the Provincial Championships.

Nancy Drolet led her team with two goals, while Kelly Stephens, Julia Berg, and Natalie Christensen each contributed two points. Jessica Dajko scored the lone marker for the Rockets early in the third on a power play, bringing her team to within one of the Griffins. But Michelle Mcleary answered back just a few minutes later to give her team the insurance goal. Kendall Trout was strong in net for the Rockets, stopping 30 of the 35 shots she faced.

The Griffins host the BCAHA Senior Female AAA Championships next weekend at Queens Park Arena. The winner will represent BC at the Esso Women's National Championships in March.

BCAHA Senior Female AAA Championships - Game Schedule:

Kamloops Outbacks vs. Vancouver Griffins, Saturday Feb. 10th, 12:15 pm Kamloops Outbacks vs. Richmond Steelers, Saturday Feb. 10th, 4:15 pm Vancouver Griffins vs. Richmond Steelers, Sunday Feb. 11th, 9:15 am Championship Game, Sunday Feb. 11th, 2:30 pm

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: Griffins 5 at Rockets 1
New Westminster- SCFAHL Playoffs

First Period
1. Vancouver, Stephens (Grundy) 3:10
2. Vancouver, Drolet (Berg) 6:48 (pp)
Penalties- Kaitt CQM (tripping) 5:33, Wood, CQM (tripping) 5:33 Grundy VCR (interference) 5:58, Kaitt CQM, Stephens, VCR (roughing) 10:26, Dajko CQM (unsportsmanlike conduct) 12:48 Christensen VCR (cross checking) 13:33

Second Period
No scoring
Penalties - Vancouver bench (too many men) served by Berg, 4:21 Travis CQM, Wong VCR (roughing) 6:10, Penafiel CQM (high sticking) 12:49, Olson VCR (holding) 14:32

Third Period
3. Coquitlam, Dajko (Pellatt, Van Skiver) 0:50 (pp)
4. Vancouver, Mcleary (Christensen, Berg) 4:52
5. Vancouver, Christensen (Berg) 6:31
6. Vancouver, Drolet (Pitre, Stephens) 12:53
Penalties - Sinow VCR (interference)1:37, Pellatt CQM (body- checking) 7:38, Mcleary VCR (slashing) 7:50

Shots on goal by Vancouver 15 13 7 35 Coquitlam 2 6 4 12
Goal (Saves/Shot) - Vancouver: Price (W, 11/12);
Coquitlam: Trout (L, 30/35)
Power Plays (goals - chances) -Vancouver: 1/7, Coquitlam: 1/8
Referee - Pat Bensmiller. Linesmen -Liam Coughlan, Teresa Anderson

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