GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids, after a poor start, had a great finish Wednesday against San Jose.

Matt Lorito scored a power play goal early in the third period and Mitch Callahan poked in the go-ahead goal with 3:40 left for a 4-2 victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals before 6,009 at Van Andel Arena.

With the win, the Griffins lead the Barracuda 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals. Games four and five are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Van Andel Arena.

MORE: Scoring summary

The Griffins had series high 42 shots, including 16 in the first and third periods.

The three-goal third period was impressive because the first period was not.

The Barracuda's John McCarthy had goalie Jared Coreau all to himself and capitalized at 5:19 after Tomas Nosek carelessly tried a dump-off pass as he headed to the bench. It went right to McCarthy.

At the 15 minute mark it became 2-0 as Ryan Carpenter fired a routine one-timer inside the right circle that beat Coreau glove side.

In between, Nathan Paetsch tied it at 13:47. It was just the second goal by a Griffins' defenseman in the postseason, spanning 40 goals.

The Griffins tied it again at the 6:40 mark in the third on Lorito's power play goal, using some excellent, quick stick handling off Eric Tangradi's shot to put it past Grosenick.

It was the ninth consecutive game with a power play goal for the Griffins.

Nosek sealed it with an empty net goal with 58 seconds left.

Here's how the game played out in the live chat:

THIRD PERIOD (completed)



Griffins 4, Barracuda 2

19:02 - A near-rink long goal into an empty net by Tomas Nosek seals it. Grand Rapids 4, San Jose 2

16:20 - Griffins take their first lead as Mitch Callahan scores after punching in a loose puck past a sprawled goalie Troy Grosenick. Eric Tangradi had the initial shot and was also poking at it. Grand Rapids 3, San Jose 2

6:40 - Griffins tie it with a PP goal by Matt Lorito with some nice stick handling. Martin Frk took the shot from the point, Matthew Ford jumped over it and Troy Grosenick couldn't gather the rebound. San Jose 2, Grand Rapids 2

6:00 - Griffins get a PP opportunity as Buddy Robinson goes off for high sticking. Second time in the box for Robinson.

5:24 - Eric Tangradi thought he had a goal as goalie Troy Grosenick attempted to stop the puck with his back legs while sprawled on his stomach. Tangradi raised his hands but refs disagreed. No replay.

00:07 - First hit of the period and Griffins' Eric Tangradi goes off for boarding and slams his stick. Forward Adam Helewka has to be helped off by trainers and goes into the lockerroom.

SECOND PERIOD (completed)



Barracuda 2, Griffins 1

18:04 - Nathan Paetsch (hook) of the Griffins and Barracuda's Timo Meier (embellishment) set up some four on four for the closing minute-plus.

10:28 - First penalty of the second period. Barracuda's Buddy Robinson called for holding. Teams also quieter this period on shots, too. Just nine combined.

FIRST PERIOD (completed)



Barracuda 2, Griffins 1

19:53 - The Barracuda will start the second with a power play as Matthew Ford picks up the late call for roughing. Notable in that it's the first penalty on the Griffins. Also notable in that Ford has the team's most goals (six) and most penalty minutes (20).

15:00 - Tie doesn't last long as Barracuda's Ryan Carpenter sweeps in and flicks a seemingly routine shot on net that just beats Jared Coreau on the glove side. Carpenter's league-leading ninth goal. San Jose 2, Grand Rapids 1

13:47 - Griffins tie it as Barracuda defenseman John McCarthy lost his footing in front and Nathan Paetsch was there free to knock it in. San Jose 1, Grand Rapids 1

5:19 - Very poor turnover by Tomas Nosek leaves Barracuda's John McCarthy all alone on a breakaway. A couple moves, capped by a backhand, and there's the first goal. Nosek tried to dump the puck on a line change. San Jose 1, Grand Rapids 0

1:47: Bench minor for San Jose - the Barracuda started the wrong lineup. Easy way to get an early PP.

Rare - and bizarre - as it is, the same thing happened in a first-round series between Chicago at Charlotte.

PREGAME

San Jose Barracuda at Grand Rapids Griffins

Game 3 of Western Conference Finals

Series: Tied 1-1

Time: 7 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday

TV: AHL.com (fee)

Radio: ESPN (96.1-FM)



Here are a few primers to get you ready: