GRIFFINS SCORE FIRST SIX GOALS, ROUT SAN JOSE

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 7 at San Jose Barracuda 3

Oct. 13, 2017

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Grand Rapids Griffins came out fast and furious Friday night in their first and only trip to the SAP Center in San Jose. In a rematch of the 2017 Western Conference Finals, the defending Calder Cup champions were propelled by three goals in the second period as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda, 7-3.

Six players had multi-point games including Turner Elson and Colin Campbell who both have at least a point in each game this season. Helped by a 2-for-4 power play performance the Griffins (2-1-0-0) jumped out to a 6-0 lead over San Jose (1-1-0-0) before the teams traded goals in the final period.

The Griffins will continue their California road trip in Stockton on Saturday night when they take on the Heat at 9 p.m. EDT.

Grand Rapids struck first just 1:51 into the game when Dominic Turgeon scored his first of two goals on the night with a shot from the slot setup from a backhanded pass by Axel Holmstrom.

Corey Elkins scored his first AHL goal since October 19, 2012 at 10:46 of the opening frame. Holmstrom picked up his second assist of the evening when he took a shot from the blue line that was stopped by Troy Grosenick but then tapped in by Elkins from in front of the net.

Just 2:01 into what would be a three-goal second period, Turner Elson scored off of a Colin Campbell pass from the left board that sailed through three defenders.

The Griffins points leader from last season, Matt Lorito, tallied his first goal at 11:39 with a shot from the high slot to extend Grand Rapids’ lead to four.

Just 51 seconds later, Matt Carey deflected a Joe Hicketts shot from the blue line into the net for his first score as a member of the Griffins.

With the Griffins leading 5-0 after 40 minutes, San Jose replaced Grosenick, last year’s AHL goaltender of the year, with Antoine Bibeau for the final frame.

Turgeon added his second tally of the night at 4:41 of the third period on a wraparound shot to give the Griffins a commanding 6-0 lead.

Jared Coreau’s bid for a shutout was dashed with 12:04 remaining in the game when Brandon Mashinter put San Jose on the board with a shot from in front of the net. Coreau ended the night with 26 saves to earn his second win of the season.

The Barracuda added another goal two minutes later when Radim Simek scored from the slot to make it a 6-2 score.

Grand Rapids got back on track with a shorthanded goal with 6:40 left from Turner Elson after a turnover in the San Jose zone. Brandon Bollig scored the final goal of the game with 3:53 left on a deflection from in front of the net.

The Griffins’ penalty kill was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night.

Notes: The Griffins seven goals were the most in a road contest since Dec. 15, 2016 at Chicago…Grand Rapids earned their first ever regular season win against San Jose.

Three Stars: 1. GR Turgeon (two goals); 2. GR Elson (two goals); 3. SJ Mashinter (goal, assist)