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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Dances with Wolves, Part IV

April 11, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - In a veritable rite of spring, the Grand Rapids Griffins' playoff road will once again wind through the Windy City, as their intense rivalry with the Chicago Wolves boils over to the 2004 Calder Cup playoffs. They'll renew their feud in the American Hockey League's West Division semifinals, marking their third straight postseason collision and their fourth in the last five years.

The Griffins' 3-1 loss at Houston on Saturday, coupled with the Wolves' 3-1 defeat to Milwaukee that same night, locked Grand Rapids (44-28-8-0) and Chicago (42-26-9-3) into second and third place, respectively, in the final West Division standings. Having earned home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series, the Griffins will host the Wolves in Games 1 and 2 at Van Andel Arena this Friday, April 16 and Sunday, April 18. The series will then move to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., for Games 3 and 4. The complete schedule is as follows:

2004 Calder Cup Playoffs - West Division Semifinals - Best of Seven
Game 1 Fri., Apr. 16 Wolves at GRIFFINS 7:30 p.m. (Game A)
Game 2 Sun., Apr. 18 Wolves at GRIFFINS 6 p.m. (Game B)
Game 3 Wed., Apr. 21 GRIFFINS at Wolves 8 p.m.
Game 4 Fri., Apr. 23 GRIFFINS at Wolves 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5 Sat., Apr. 24 Wolves at GRIFFINS 8 p.m. (Game C)
*Game 6 Mon., Apr. 26 GRIFFINS at Wolves 8 p.m.
*Game 7 Wed., Apr. 28 Wolves at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. (Game D)

* If necessary All times Eastern and subject to change. All games on WOOD 1300 AM.

Last spring, Grand Rapids defeated Chicago 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals, becoming the 11th team in AHL history to sweep the defending Calder Cup champion and the first team ever to blank the Wolves in a best-of-seven series. However, the Griffins came up short in their first two playoff clashes with Chicago, losing 3-2 in the 2002 AHL Western Conference quarterfinals and 4-2 in the 2000 IHL Turner Cup finals.

The Griffins won the 2003-04 regular season series against the Wolves with a 6-4-0-0 record, including marks of 4-1-0-0 at Van Andel Arena and 2-3-0-0 at Allstate Arena.

Tickets for Games 1 and 2, which are included in Griffins season ticket packages, are currently on sale for $26, $21, $18, $13, $11 and $6 (advance purchase only). They may be purchased at The Zone and all Star Tickets Plus outlets, including West Michigan Meijer stores, or by calling (616) 222-4000.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2004


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