FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2000

GRIFFINS PLAY THEIR FIRST GAME

Vancouver- The Vancouver Griffins Hockey Club have returned from their first ever road trip with one win and one loss. The Griffins beat the 2000 CIAU champions, the University of Alberta Pandas 3-1 on Friday night in Edmonton. Griffins goaltender Krista Cloutier gave a solid performance in net, stopping 29 of 30 shots against her former team. Cloutier played for the Pandas for the two previous seasons, including last years' run to the CIAU championship. Griffins forward Michelle McLeary scored two goals, including the game-winner in the second period. She helped her teammate Sonya Sneyd score the insurance goal in the third, with Elaine Topolnisky earning the other assist.

The Griffins then traveled to Calgary on Saturday to take on the Oval X-Treme, a talented team dominated by National team and National Under-22 team members. The Griffins' fell 9-1 in the very fast-paced game in which Griffins' goalie Jennifer Price faced 54 shots. Sneyd scored the Griffins' only goal, assisted by Julia Berg. The team will play its next game at home against the CIAU UBC Thunderbirds this Thursday, September 28, at Queens Park Arena at 7:45 p.m. The Griffins will play their first NWHL game when they host the Brampton Thunder on October 14 and 15th, also at Queens Park Arena.

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 team will play an exhibition schedule this season, and 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
Friday September 22, 2000
EDMONTON - NWHL/CIAU

First Period
1. Pandas, Cleall

Second Period
2.Vancouver, McLeary (Stevenson, Sneyd)

Third Period
3.Vancouver, McLeary (Sinow)
4.Vancouver, Sneyd (Topolnisky, McLeary)

GAME SUMMARY
Saturday, September 23, 2000
CALGARY - NWHL

First Period
1. X-Treme, Sostorics (Kleinsworminko, Collins)
2. X-Treme, Campbell (Bechard, Goyette)
3. X-Treme, Walton
4. X-Treme, Devereaux (Lullowy, Swirsky)

Second Period
5. X-Treme, Goyette (Bechard, Scheibel)
6. X-Treme, Swirsky (Devereaux, Lullowy)
7.X-Treme, Campbell (Scheibel, Sostorics)
8. X-Treme, Bechard (Collins, Scheibel)

Third Period
9. X-Treme, Bechard (Collins)
10. Vancouver, Sneyd (Berg)

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