Associated Press
SAN JOSE, Calif. ó The Detroit Red Wings are coming home with a chance to take a step toward history.
Suddenly, that seems well within reach.
Tomas Holmstrom broke a tie with 6:08 remaining, and the Red Wings scored three third-period goals to avoid elimination with a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night.
ěThereís a lot of character on this team. Thereís not any quit,î said Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard, who made 39 saves. ěOur season was on the line there in the third period, and we found a way.î
Danny Cleary and Jonathan Ericsson also scored in the final period to send the series back to Detroit for Game 6 on Tuesday night. After winning the first three games, San Jose is clinging to a 3-2 lead.
Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi scored to help the Sharks take a 3-1 lead early in the third period. Then the Red Wings scored two quick goals before Holmstrom redirected the winner past Antti Niemi, leaving a sellout crowd stunned and silent.
Niklas Kronwell also scored and Pavel Datsyuk added three assists for Detroit.
ěI think you put yourselves in a very dangerous position if you get back on your heels against that team,î Sharks coach Todd McLellan said.
ěI didnít think we did that tonight. They just outplayed us in the third period.î