Resolute Red Wings take over in third period

When Detroit fell behind 3-1 early in the third period Sunday night and was pushed to the brink of playoff elimination, the Red Wings responded the way they always do.

They didn't panic.
And they didn't quit.
"We just kept battling and found a way," said Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom after the Red Wings' stormed back with three goals in just over 10 minutes to stun the Sharks 4-3 to force a Game 6 in this playoff series. "We're a team that's never going to give up. Our character really showed in the third period."
It also was the usual suspects who did the final damage to cap a wild comeback that hushed what had been a raucous Shark Tank crowd. Tomas Holmstrom scored with 6:08 remaining by deflecting a Lidstrom slap shot that was set up by Pavel Datsyuk's brilliant puck-handling.
For the Sharks, it was a sickeningly familiar scene watching Holmstrom notch a goal by creating havoc in front of the crease.
"He's one of the best at what he does, planting himself in front of the net and making the big screen," Lidstrom said.
The comeback also demonstrated why the Red Wings, year in and year out, continue to be one the NHL's best teams. It's simply impossible to rattle them.
For two periods, the Sharks had dominated the action -- outshooting the Red Wings 30-16 after two periods. When Logan Couture made it 3-1 just 54 seconds into the third period, the Sharks appeared ready to punch their ticket for the Western.