SAN JOSE, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- Tomas Holmstrom finished off a three-goal Detroit third period Sunday that rallied the Red Wings to a 4-3 victory over San Jose.
For the second straight game in the Western Conference semifinals the Red Wings kept their season alive and preserved the possibility the franchise could win the Stanley Cup for the 12th time.
San Jose has seen its series lead reduced to 3-2 and now must travel to Detroit for Game 6 Tuesday. If a deciding game is required it will be played in San Jose Thursday.
Logan Couture scored on a backhander just 54 seconds into the third period to give San Jose a 3-1 lead and the hometown fans sensed a trip to the conference finals was approaching.
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The Sharks were soon stunned, however, by goals from Jonathan Ericsson and Daniel Cleary 1:46 apart that tied the score and Holmstrom tipped in a shot by Nicklas Lidstrom with 6:08 to play in regulation.
Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard then held off the Sharks to extend the series. All five games have been decided by one goal, including two San Jose victories that came in overtime.
The Red Wings are trying to become the fourth team in NHL history to win a playoff series after losing the first three games. Chicago came close to becoming the fifth team to do so earlier in these playoffs, but after the Blackhawks rallied to tie Vancouver at 3-3 they fell in Game 7.
Antti Niemi, who was in goal for every playoff victory while Chicago was winning the Stanley Cup last season, stopped 18-of-22 shots Sunday. Howard made 39 saves.
