Grand Rapids scored four times in the second period and took command of the Western Conference Finals with a 6-2 win over San Jose in Game 4 on Friday night.
The Griffins will take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, AHL Live) with a chance to advance to the Calder Cup Finals.
Eric Tangradi notched a goal and two assists during Grand Rapids’ second-period outburst which saw the Griffins outshoot the Barracuda 19-5 while turning a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead.
Ben Street and Tomas Nosek had a goal and an assist apiece on the night, and Tyler Bertuzzi, Martin Frk and Evgeny Svechnikov scored as Grand Rapids became the first team to score six goals off Troy Grosenick (8-6) since San Antonio on Nov. 5.
Jared Coreau (10-2) made 18 saves and improved to 6-0 at Van Andel Arena this postseason.
Colin Blackwell (penalty shot) and Adam Helewka scored for the Barracuda.
Western Conference Finals – Series “N” (best-of-7)
P1-San Jose Barracuda vs. C2-Grand Rapids Griffins
Game 1 – Sat., May 20 – Grand Rapids 3, SAN JOSE 1 | Recap
Game 2 – Sun., May 21 – SAN JOSE 4, Grand Rapids 2 | Recap
Game 3 – Wed., May 24 – GRAND RAPIDS 4, San Jose 2 | Recap
Game 4 – Fri., May 26 – GRAND RAPIDS 6, San Jose 2
Game 5 – Sat., May 27 – San Jose at Grand Rapids, 7:00
*Game 6 – Tue., May 30 – Grand Rapids at San Jose, 10:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 31 – Grand Rapids at San Jose, 10:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
