AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Top Two Seeds Clash in Western Conference Finals

Published on May 8, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins and Houston Aeros, who posted the best records in the AHL's Western Conference during the regular season, will meet in the conference finals for the opportunity to compete for the 2003 Calder Cup championship.

Games 1 and 2 will take place at Van Andel Arena next Monday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 14, before the 2-3-2 series shifts to the Compaq Center. The complete schedule for the Western Conference finals is as follows:

Game 1 Mon., May 12 Aeros at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. (Game E)
Game 2 Wed., May 14 Aeros at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. (Game F)
Game 3 Fri., May 16 GRIFFINS at Aeros 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 Sat., May 17 GRIFFINS at Aeros 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5 Mon., May 19 GRIFFINS at Aeros 8 p.m.
*Game 6 Wed., May 21 Aeros at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. (Game G)
*Game 7 Thu., May 22 Aeros at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. (Game H)

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

After compiling 106 points and 48 wins during the regular season, the top-seeded Griffins disposed of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (3-1) in the conference quarterfinals and swept the defending champion Chicago Wolves (4-0) in the semis. The second-ranked Aeros, who defeated the Norfolk Admirals 3-1 earlier tonight to take a 4-2 series win, posted 104 points and 47 victories this season before opening the playoffs with a three-games-to-none triumph over the Milwaukee Admirals.

This series will mark the first-ever postseason meeting between these long-time rivals. The Griffins have advanced to the conference finals for the third time in four seasons and the first time as members of the AHL, while the Aeros have reached the final four for the second straight season, losing to Chicago (4-1) last year. The Griffins compiled a 5-4-1-0 mark against Houston during the 2002-03 regular season, winning four of the last five and five of the last seven clashes. Grand Rapids earned series records of 3-2-0-0 at Van Andel Arena and 2-2-1-0 at the Compaq Center.

Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are currently on sale for $26, $21, $17, $13, $11 and $6 (advance purchase only). They may be purchased at The Zone and all Tickets PLUS outlets, including Meijer stores, or by calling (616) 222-4000 or visiting griffinshockey.com.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central