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Griffins take 2-0 series lead on Rockford

Posted at 12:12 AM, May 09, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-09 00:12:35-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Griffins certainly haven't played perfect hockey since dropping the first two games of the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs.

But their record since is.

Anthony Mantha broke a 1-1 second period tie with his first goal of the playoffs -- and Teemu Pulkkinen continued his postseason rampage with two goals, leading the Griffins to a 5-1 win against Rockford in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Grand Rapids now leads the best-of-seven series, 2-0.

Since going down 0-2 to Toronto in the conference quarterfinals, the Griffins have won five straight playoff games.

Tom McCollum has been the starter for all five of those wins -- and was stellar on Friday after giving up the opening goal of the game. McCollum stopped all of the IceHogs' 28 shots after they took a 1-0 lead in the first period.

Pulkkinen's two goals puts him at 11 for the playoffs -- tops in the American Hockey League and five shy of tying Tomas Tatar's 2013 single-postseason franchise record.

Game 3 of the series is in Rockford on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Michigan time.