Barons Take Game One In Western Conference Quarterfinals

The Oklahoma City Barons scored four consecutive third period goals to defeat the San Antonio Rampage 5-2 in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs Thursday night at the Cox Convention Center.

Trailing 2-1 after two periods of play, Josh Winquist netted the game-tying goal for the Barons at 10:22 of the third frame, firing a shot from the right circle that sailed under the blocker of Rampage goalie Dan Ellis. The goal was Oklahoma City's second of two power play goals.

At 14:05 of the third, the Barons took a 3-2 lead when Ryan Hamilton skated in on net off a partial break and batted two shots at Ellis, with the second finding its way through the pads of the San Antonio net minder.

Connor Jones and Matt Ford added empty net goals late in the third period for OKC at 18:39 and 19:52 respectively.

Thursday's win marked the first playoff victory for Oklahoma City since Game Six of the 2013 Western Conference Finals against Grand Rapids.

With San Antonio's Rocco Grimaldi serving a hooking penalty assessed at 11:27 of the first period, Brad Hunt gave the Barons a 1-0 lead at 12:04 of the frame when his shot from beyond the left circle evaded Ellis and found its way into the back of the San Antonio net. Oklahoma City finished the game going 2-for-5 with the man advantage.

San Antonio scored on a goal by Vincent Trocheck at 15:56 of the first to tie the game at one, and later took a 2-1 lead on a Grimaldi goal at 8:01 of the second period.

Barons goalie Laurent Brossoit made 36 saves in the win.

The teams meet again Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in Game Two of the best-of-five Western Conference Quarterfinals.