Griffins Claim Fourth Straight Division Title
March 10, 2003 - 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.
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American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2003
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