Associated Press
DALLAS ó Detroit’s goal with a guy barely in the crease, if at all, didn’t count. Dallas’ goal with a guy clearly in the crease did count.
Apparently, that’s what it takes to slow the mighty Red Wings.
Loui Ericksson’s goal about 12 minutes after Detroit’s was waved off, then third-period goals from Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow sent the Stars past the Red Wings 3-1 on Wednesday night, preventing the Western Conference finals from ending in a sweep.
“It was a pretty intense, desperate game from everyone on our side,” said Dallas’ Marty Turco, who made 34 saves and played his best game of the series. “We needed that to be successful. We’ll have to continue like that just to have a chance.”
Game 5 is Saturday in Detroit, a two-day break the Stars are glad to have to rest their bodies and, they hope, for the Red Wings to dwell on their missed opportunity.
“Doubt starts to creep in a little bit,” Morrow said. “We’ve got a couple of days here to let that sink in.”
Detroit lost for the first time since April 16, ending a nine-game winning streak that was the franchise’s longest in a single postseason. Goalie Chris Osgood ended a 9-0 run, giving up one goal less than he had in the previous three games combined.
But what will frustrate the Red Wings most was the way this game turned in the second period.
Pavel Datsyuk put the puck past Turco on a power-play shot from the right circle midway 7:34 into the period, but on-ice officials immediately called it off, saying Tomas Holmstrom interfered with Turco from inside the crease. Detroit coach Mike Babcock stood on the bench arguing his case to no avail.
Part of the problem is it’s not a reviewable call. Replays, however, showed that Holmstrom’s skates weren’t touching much of the blue stuff. Commissioner Gary Bettman was here for the game and probably was sitting close enough to a TV to have seen it again.
Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom said he was told by two officials that Holmstrom’s rear end got in the way. Babcock said officials likely were told to watch Holmstrom because he’s known for crowding goalies ó including Turco earlier this series without being caught.
“It’s a reputation call, totally,” Babcock said. “It’s disappointing.”