Sports

Actions

Griffins Rally To Beat Marlies in Game 6, Advance to Western Conference Finals

Posted at 9:38 PM, May 21, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-10 16:34:26-04

TORONTO — For the first time since 2006, the Grand Rapids Griffins are heading to the Western Conference Finals of the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs.

Grand Rapids scored three times in the third period to rally back from a 3-1 deficit to win Game Six against the Toronto Marlies 4-3. The Griffins won the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Jan Mursak got the scoring started just past the halfway point of the third period, making it 3-2 at the 10:04 mark of the final frame. Just 28 seconds later, Tomas Tatar scored his second of the night and eighth of the postseason to tie the game up at 3-3.

East Grand Rapids native Luke Glendening put the Griffins on top with his fifth goal of the postseason with 4:03 left in the third period.

Toronto scored twice in the first and once more in the second. The Marlies third goal came just 37 seconds after Tatar made it a 2-1 game with a power play goal.

As they had throughout the series, the Griffins once again outshot the Marlies 31-18 in the series finale. Grand Rapids will open up the Western Conference Finals at home against the Oklahoma City Barons on Friday night at Van Andel Arena. Game Two of the series is set for Saturday.