FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2001

THE GRIFFINS AND THE LIGHTENING CALL IT A DRAW

New Westminster - The Oval Lightening and the Vancouver Griffins battled to a 2-2 tie this morning in exhibition play at Queens Park Arena. The Lightening bolted out to an early lead on goals by Colleen Wall and Tristen Desizet within the first four minutes of the game. They held their two-goal lead until early in the second frame when Elaine Topolinisky got the Griffins on the board. The Griffins thought that defenceman Tamara Pickford had the tying goal just a few minutes later, but Referee Teresa Anderson ruled that the puck had gone in underneath the side of the net. Samantha Wong tied the game up halfway through the second on a pass from Sherri Pitre. The third period was marked by strong goaltending at both ends, with Jennifer Price in net for the Griffins, and Amanda Tapp taking over from teammate Tracy Wyant after the Griffins' tying goal.

The Griffins beat Calgary 1-0 when the two teams met yesterday. The game was the Griffins' first tie of the season, and puts their overall record at 15-4-1. The team will face off at Queens Park Arena this Thursday, January 25th, 7:45 pm, against the Richmond Steelers. That game will be the first in a two-game series against the Steelers, and the final two games before SCFAHA playoffs begin February 1. The top two teams in the SCFAHA will go on to play each other and the Kamloops Outbacks when the Griffins host the BC Provincial Championships February 10 and 11 at Queens Park Arena.

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 SCFAHA 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: Calgary Oval Lightening 2 at Vancouver Griffins 2
New Westminster- Exhibition

First Period
1. Calgary, Wall (unassisted) 0:43
2. Calgary, Desizet (Medhurst) 3:32

Penalties
Sinow VCR Desizet CAL (roughing) 13:59, Topolnisky VCR (high-sticking) 14:28

Second Period
3. Vancouver, Topolnisky (unassisted) 2:54
4. Vancouver, Wong (Pitre) 7:31

Penalties
Lippitt CAL (hooking) 5:52, Grundy VCR (body-checking) 11:26, Hickerey CAL (tripping) 13:23

Third Period
No scoring.

Penalty
Lippitt CAL (roughing) 3:30

Shots on goal by Vancouver 7 8 2 17 Calgary 5 7 3 15
Goal (Saves/Shot) - Vancouver: Price ( 13/15); Calgary: Wyant ( 15/17) Power Plays (goals - chances) -Vancouver: 0/4, Calgary: 0/3

Referee -Teresa Andersen. Linesmen - Bill Lambert, Pat Bensmiller Elizabeth Arden Player of the Game Awards:
Calgary Oval Lightening - # 8 Colleen Wall (A)
Vancouver Griffins - #22 Kelly Stephens

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