GRAND RAPIDS, Mich --
The Utica Comets scored three times in the opening period on Sunday to take an early 3-1 lead and the Grand Rapids Griffins couldn't over-come Utica goalie Jacob Markstrom enough to come back as the Comets held on for a 3-2 win over the Griffins in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals at Van Andel Arena.
Now up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Comets will host Game 6 and, if necessary, Game 7 this Tuesday and Wednesday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m. each night. Grand Rapids is 3-0 this postseason and 5-1 all time under coach Jeff Blashill when facing elimination.
