Griffins Claim Fourth Straight Division Title
Published on March 10, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Thanks to losses by Rochester and Cincinnati on Sunday evening, the Grand Rapids Griffins claimed the 2002-03 John Chick Trophy as champions of the American Hockey League's Central Division.
The Griffins, who stand at 40-17-8-2 (90 points) following Saturday's 4-3 overtime win at San Antonio, have won a division crown in each of their two seasons in the AHL and have earned four consecutive division championships overall, dating back to their 1999-2000 season in the International Hockey League. Along with the division title, the Griffins last night secured a postseason berth at the earliest date in franchise history, seven days earlier than their 2001-02 counterparts, who won the inaugural N.R. (Bud) Poile Trophy as champions of the AHL's West Division.
Grand Rapids is guaranteed a top-three seed in the Western Conference when the 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs commence in April. The Griffins currently possess the second seed, standing two points behind top-ranked Houston with one game in-hand.
The Griffins will stage the third installment of their franchise-record seven-game road trip this Wednesday, when they visit the Utah Grizzlies at 9:00 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2003
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- Saint John Ends Bulldogs Winning Streak - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rampage Weekly Notes - San Antonio Rampage
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- First Place Sound Tigers Win Three Of Four With Weekend Sweep - Bridgeport Islanders
- Vellinga Returned to Dayton - San Antonio Rampage
- Griffins Face Unprecedented Road Test - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Lasak Returns To Admirals - Milwaukee Admirals
- Amerks battle Syracuse three times in three nights - Rochester Americans
- Botterill Reassigned to Rochester by Buffalo - Rochester Americans
- Moose Finish Five-Game Road Trip with 4-1 Record - Manitoba Moose
- Aeros Win Silver I-10 Gallon Hat in Busy Week - Houston Aeros
- Former AHL star Kilrea reaches milestone - AHL
- Monarchs Release Loach and Schueller From PTO's - Manchester Monarchs
- Griffins, P-Bruins Join Playoff Field - AHL
- Bears Three Points Out with Trip to Norfolk Looming - Hershey Bears
- Moss selected AHL Player of the Week - Manitoba Moose
- Moss Named Week's Best - AHL
- Bilotto Released From PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Crunch To Sign Autographs At Quickway Locations - Syracuse Crunch
- Pirates Ready for Three on the Road - Portland Pirates
- Bulldogs Top Scoring Defenceman Returns - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Syracuse Making Some Noise With Four-Game Winning Streak - Syracuse Crunch
- Bulldogs Set Home Record for Wins and Points - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Fan Balloting for Year End Awards Now Online - Toronto Marlies
- Admirals Drop Two of Three Contests - Norfolk Admirals
- Griffins Claim Fourth Straight Division Title - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Weekend Recap - Toronto Marlies
- Canucks reassign Kavanagh to Moose - Manitoba Moose
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