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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Rivals to be Featured Prominently in 2003-04

July 16, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Tuesday released their 2003-04 schedule format, set forth by the AHL's Board of Governors during last week's annual meeting in Hilton Head, S.C.

Grand Rapids' unbalanced 80-game schedule will feature 13 opponents, two of which - the St. John's Maple Leafs and expansion Toronto Roadrunners - have never before graced the Griffins' slate.

The Griffins, who have returned to the West Division as part of a four-division realignment announced last week, will play a schedule focused heavily on traditional rivals. Fifty-six games will be contested against divisional foes Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Utah, with the remaining tilts coming against the North (22 games) and East (two) divisions. Grand Rapids' frequency of games against each opponent is as follows:

* Ten games (five home, five road) versus Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston and San Antonio

* Eight games (four home, four road) versus Milwaukee and Utah

* Four games (two home, two road) versus Cleveland, Hamilton, Manitoba, St. John's and Toronto

* Two games (one home, one road) versus Philadelphia and Rochester The schedule for the AHL's 68th season, which will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and conclude on Sunday, April 11, is expected to be announced in early August.

In addition to approving the schedule format, the league's governors also amended AHL Rule #51 (Delaying the Game), eliminating the automatic minor penalty for shooting a puck out of the playing surface in the defensive zone. The rule still calls for a delay of game penalty on any player who deliberately shoots or bats the puck outside the playing area.

Griffins full season, 25-game and 15-game ticket packages are currently available by calling (616) 774-4585 or (800) 2-HOCKEY. Single tickets for all games, including the Griffins' home opener on Oct. 18, will go on sale to the public in September.

The Griffins will welcome the NHL's future stars to Grand Rapids next winter for the 2004 AHL All-Star Classic. The two-day event at Van Andel Arena will consist of the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, Feb. 8, followed by the AHL All-Star Game on Monday, Feb. 9. Tickets for both events, which are included in Griffins season ticket packages, will go on sale to the public later this summer.

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American Hockey League Stories from July 16, 2003


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