ANAHEIM, Calif., May 6 (UPI) -- Defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh scored with 66 seconds remaining Monday night to give Anaheim a 4-3 win over Dallas in Game Six of the Western Conference semifinals.
With the victory, the Mighty Ducks advance to the Western Conference final for the first time in team history.
After sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the conference quarterfinals, Anaheim built a three games to one lead against the Stars before dropping a 4-1 decision on Saturday.
The momentum remained in the Stars' favor as Kirk Muller scored his 33rd career playoff goal 5:10 into the first period, but with the contest tied at 2-2 after 40 minutes, Ruslan Salei netted the first postseason goal by an Anaheim defenseman 3 1/2 minutes into the third.
Less than three minutes after an apparent goal by Stu Barnes was disallowed, Brenden Morrow redirected defenseman a pass by Sergei Zubov into the net with his right skate at 14:49 to draw Dallas even.
Anaheim was determined not be denied as Ozolinsh drifted through the slot and deposited the rebound of a backhander by Mike Leclerc past goaltender Marty Turco late in the third to avoid overtime and send the Ducks to a conference finals matchup against either Vancouver or Minnesota.
"It's awesome," Ozolinsh said. "It's great going to the conference finals. We beat the top two teams. We've got a lot of confidence for the next round."
"Surreal is an understatement," said winger Steve Thomas. "Beating Detroit was a big accomplishment. Now, to beat the team that won the (Western Conference), it's amazing."
"It's hard to describe," said Dallas captain Derian Hatcher. "You're losing, then you're tied. You score a goal and it's not allowed. Score a goal, replay, tie it, then you lose when they score with a minute left. It's somewhat of an emotional roller coaster ride."
