Whatever the Grand Rapids Griffins say or do in the locker room before a game is still working in the postseason.

The Griffins continued an impressive record in the first period Sunday, opening with four goals en route to a 5-1 blowout against Manitoba to even the Central Division Semifinals series at 1-1.

MORE: Scoring summary | Playoff scores

The best-of-five series shifts to Grand Rapids with Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Thursday, both at 7 p.m.

Coming off a 3-2 loss on Saturday, the Griffins got about as good a start as possible in the final series game in Winnipeg.

At least the final 17 minutes of it.

The Griffins yielded a goal to Francis Beauvillier three minutes in and then took off with three goals within 6:28 and four on nine shots overall in the period.

Matt Ford and Eric Tangradi each scored with a man advantage to give the Griffins the lead, then Turner Elson got his second of the playoffs, as did Ben Street on a breakaway in the final minute for a 4-1 lead.

Street and Ford each had a goal and two assists in the first 20 minutes.

After the two early goals, "I thought our guys settled in and played a very strong game," coach Todd Nelson said. "It was a physical game, an emotional game and a great response from the players."

Besides the two power play goals, the Griffins also stopped both Manitoba advantages in the first, part of a solid performance overall from special team. Manitoba was 0 for 4.

"I thought we got the response we wanted tonight," Ford said. "... I don't think we left anything to chance. They came out hard, got the first one, but we responded and we weren't going to be denied tonight."

The Griffins, who led 1-0 after the first period in the series opener, thrived in the opening period In the regular season. Their plus-25 goal advantage (69-44) was best in the league.

In the past five games, the Griffins have outscored opponents in the first, 11-1.

After the first-period smoke cleared, the Griffins went up 5-1 on a goal from Evgeny Svechnikov at 13:24 of the second.

As impressive as the first period has been, the third has been a problem for the Griffins. They were minus-21 in the regular season (conversely, Manitoba was plus-18) and allowed three goals in the third in the opener.

Game 2 was vastly improved as the Griffins held the Moose to just one shot to set a franchise record for a period in the postseason.

However, Axel Holmstrom went out with an injury with five minutes left after he got tangled with Buddy Robinson, who was called for a five-minute major and game misconduct for interference. Holmstrom had to be helped off the ice by teammates.

Nelson said Holmstrom "was blindsided" and will be re-elevated upon arrival back in Grand Rapids.

The Griffins outshot Manitoba 39-22, highlighted by 15-1 advantage in the third.