So I think I’ll go through the front gates on Saturday as opposed to the rear gate we usually go through.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A day after celebrating their 500th regular season home game, the Grand Rapids Griffins are expected to welcome the 4 millionth fan in franchise history this Saturday, Dec. 20, when they host the Milwaukee Admirals in a 7 p.m. start at Van Andel Arena.
The Griffins have drawn 3,990,072 fans for their 499 regular season home games over the last 13 seasons, leaving them 9,928 shy of the milestone heading into Friday’s game against Milwaukee – which, barring inclement weather, is expected to draw around 7,000 fans. The magic number should be only a few thousand away when the gates open at 6 p.m. Saturday for the rematch with the Admirals.
The lucky fan will be greeted at the turnstiles in the arena’s main lobby by Griff and Tim Gortsema, the Griffins’ senior vice president of business operations. No. 4 million will then be honored in an on-ice ceremony during the first intermission, where he or she will receive a prize package including:
• A Griffins jersey with the numeral “4” and the nameplate “MILLION” on the back;
• Four lower-bowl tickets to every Griffins home game during the ensuing 4 million seconds;
• Gas card to travel 4 million feet;
• 4 million Zimbabwean dollars;
• 4 million microliters of Pepsi;
• 4 million milligrams of Van Andel Arena popcorn;
• Forty “100 Grand” candy bars;
• Four days of recognition on the griffinshockey.com splash page;
• A four-second standing ovation from Griffins fans during the on-ice ceremony.
4 million feet translates to about 750 miles, 4 million microliters of Pepsi equals one liter of Pepsi, and 4 million Zimbabwean dollars yields $3.50.
Tags: The word this morning is that we should expect an announcement from the NHL regarding Sean Avery. It will be very interesting to see what Gary Bettman has to say about all of this. I don’t think I would be sad if Sean was banned from the league forever.
Don’t forget to vote for the Detroit Red Wings in fan balloting for the All Star Game.
Chris Chelios will play the next two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Tonight is also $1 beer night. Yes, it is going to be a very busy Van Andel Arena, thank goodness for our guaranteed parking space in the ramp. Oh, and Derek Meech got his first NHL goal last night. Super Awesome!
In other random news; I was able to get two marshmallow launchers from Woot! today.
Last night it was confirmed that Chris Chelios will spend the weekend playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins on a conditioning stint. The best part of this news is that they are playing home games on Friday and Saturday. My prediction is that we’ll have a couple of sell out games this weekend.
December 2, Detroit News: “I think that’s the plan,” Chelios said of being sent to Grand Rapids, the Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate. “I’m probably going to go play Friday and Saturday there just to get some minutes in and then come back and be ready.”
December 2, Grand Rapids Press: Chris Chelios is coming to Grand Rapids.
“Not a knock against the American League, but it’s going to be a little slower pace,” Chelios said. “It’s probably better for me to start there and get hopefully 20-some minutes a game and get ready for the pace here.”
My sister Brooke brought the Sean Avery issue to my attention.
December 2, Yahoo ! Sports: Sean Avery knows all about the punishment that comes with saying something inflammatory on the ice, from time in the penalty box to having a stick swung at him.
On Tuesday, he learned how harsh the league can be about things said off the ice.
Avery was suspended indefinitely by commissioner Gary Bettman for making “inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game.” The punishment came down only hours after Avery used a crude term about his former girlfriends now dating other hockey players.
I checked the local news to find that Ada has a boil water advisory. I’m not sure if it includes my office or not. I’ll have to find that out before I make tea this morning.
Yesterday I watched some Cnet TV blooper reels; Buzz Report, Molly Wood, and Tom Merritt.
Cheli to the AHL?
Posted by George James Malik December 01, 2008 21:47PM
Categories: GriffinsFox Sports Detroit’s Ken Daniels claims that Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios is at least considering going to Grand Rapids to get a few games in with the Griffins for conditioning purposes. Chris Osgood and former Wing Curtis Joseph have done so coming off injuries, but it’s not unheard of.
GRAND RAPIDS 1, CHICAGO 0
Evan McGrath tallied the game’s lone goal in the second period, and goaltender Daniel Larsson made 29 saves for his second shutout of the season as Grand Rapids took a 1-0 road win over Chicago on Sunday at Allstate Arena.
The Griffins secured their third win in as many days this weekend and improved to 4-0-0-1 in their last five contests.
After a scoreless first period, McGrath put the Grand Rapids on the board 7:24 into the middle stanza.
Aaron Downey and Justin Abdelkader picked up assists on McGrath’s fourth goal of the campaign. Neither side scored in the third period.
The Wolves were blanked for the first time this season and fell to 2-5-0-0 in their last seven outings.
