FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2000

GRIFFINS START THE NEW YEAR WITH A SHUTOUT

VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds hosted the Vancouver Griffins last night, with the visitors defeating them 8-0. Griffins' Goaltender Jennifer Price earned her first shutout of the season by stopping six shots. Net minders Tanya Foley and Teryne Russell shared the work in the crease for UBC, with Foley facing 22 shots in the first half, and Russell facing 21.

Griffins' forward Sherri Pitre of North Vancouver earned a hat trick, scoring her team's first two goals of the game just 18 seconds apart. Her final goal came in the third period while the Griffins were short handed. Her line mate Nancy Drolet picked up six points on the night, scoring two goals and four helpers, securing her position as the team's top point getter with 38 points in 14 games.

The Griffins' blueliners continued to contribute at both ends of the ice, earning points while holding the UBC offence to just six shots. Tamara Pickford, who earned three assists in the Griffins last game against the Rockets, earned a goal and an assist last night. Both Kira Sinow and Glenda Olson also picked up assists.

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 8 at UBC 0
Vancouver - Exhibition

First Period
1. Vancouver, Pitre (Drolet, Sinow) 3:06
2. Vancouver, Pitre (Drolet) 3:19
3. Vancouver, Gray (Christensen, Wong) 4:27
4. Vancouver, Drolet (Olson, Pickford) 5:38

Penalty
Ng UBC (body checking) 6:28

Second Period
5. Vancouver, Berg (Pitre, Drolet)

Penalties
Sinow VCR (holding) 5:49, Brewer UBC (hooking) 7:50

Third Period
6. Vancouver, Drolet (unassisted) 0:22
7. Vancouver, Pitre (Drolet) 3:04 (sh)
8. Vancouver, Pickford (Christensen) 10:02

Penalties
Schmidt VCR (body checking) 1:51, Brewer UBC (hooking) 7:50, Schmidt VCR (body checking) 11:16

Shots on goal by Vancouver 16 14 13 43, UBC 2 2 2 6
Goal (saves/shots) - Vancouver: Price (W,6/6); UBC: Foley (L, 17/22), Russell (18/21)

Referee - Sean Spina Linesmen - Ben Willing, Les Johnston.
Elizabeth Arden Player of the Game:
UBC - #5 Jana Horsman (C)
Vancouver - #10, Julia Berg

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