The Lake Erie Monsters faced off with the Griffins on Monday night in Grand Rapids for a Game 6 showdown.
The Monsters came into play leading 3 games to 2 in the series, but had lost two in a row.
Grand Rapids got out to a hot start, scoring two goals in the first 2:16.
Ryan Sprout scored the first goal just 34 seconds into action, and Tomas Nosek quickly followed him to make it a 2-0 game.
It could have got out of hand from there, but the Monsters maintained their composure and Daniel Zaar scored a crucial goal to make it 2-1 at the 3:42 mark of the first period.
Zaar with a ? #LEvsGR pic.twitter.com/WcrzGrqG5R
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 16, 2016
The Griffins would head into the second period leading 2-1.
Monsters Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo allowed a quick goal just 1:48 into the second period, as Xavier Ouelett gave Grand Rapids a 3-1 lead with a power play goal.
Monsters Head Coach Jared Bednar pulled his starting goaltender, inserting Anton Forsberg to try to give his team a lift.
The goalie switch worked like a charm, as the Monsters answered back at the 8:18 mark of the second period, thanks to a goal from Michael Chaput to make it 3-2.
Monsters cut into the deficit! It's 3-2!! pic.twitter.com/jiV01rTzNJ
— NEO Sports Insiders (@NEOSportsInside) May 17, 2016
The score would remain 3-2 heading into the final frame.
It was clear the goalie substitution sparked a change in momentum of the game, and Lukas Sedlak tied the game at three just 1:43 into the third period.
Lukas Sedlak ties things up for @monstershockey! #LEvsGR pic.twitter.com/XD3qgw0G3p
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 17, 2016
Although the Monsters appeared to have momentum on their side from the time Forsberg entered, the tables turned after Sedlak’s game-tying goal.
Grand Rapids went on the power play three times in the final ten minutes of regulation, but Lake Erie’s defense held firm, clamped down, and forced overtime.
It was an intense overtime period, as neither side could break through for the first 12 minutes, before Zach Werenksi delivered the game-winning goal, stunning the Griffins faithful on the road and ending their season.
.@ZachWerenski with the OT game-winner to send @monstershockey to the Western Conference Finals! #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/mQ5PTqKhfF
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 17, 2016
Werenski is only 18 years old and was the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, selected by the Blue Jackets out of the University of Michigan.
Werenski has scored 4 goals, accumulating 10 points in nine playoff games, which leads the Monsters in scoring. He only played in seven regular season games and has proven to make arguably the biggest impact of anyone on the team in this run to the Calder Cup.
Forsberg saved all 23 shots he faced after entering the game early in the second period, earning the win.
The Monsters advance to take on the Ontario Reign in the Western Conference Finals. Here are the dates:
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