So much for boring, low-scoring contests in the Stanley Cup finals.
After combining for 12 goals in the first four games of the series, New Jersey and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks lit up the scoreboard for a total of nine as the Devils powered to a 6-3 victory in Game 5 on Thursday.
"People want to see goals, there you go," Devils coach Pat Burns said after his team took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven finals. "There were some fun ones on both sides, too."
It seemed like everything went in Thursday. Jay Pandolfo steered one in off his skate while a shot by Petr Sykora trickled off Martin Brodeur's glove 42 seconds into the game, an effort the netminder would normally stop.
Mike Leclerc also scored one on his own net which was credited to Brian Gionta. Lucky bounces, numerous chances and strange goals all night -- a dream for fans but a nightmare for coaches and goalies.
"That was unbelievable," Brodeur said. "What a weird game.
"I'm really thankful for my offense. You usually don't say that too often because they don't score too many goals," he said.
Burns is considered one of the defensive specialists in the game and while he was quite pleased with the win, he did not think much of the defenses.
"It won't go down in history as one of the best defensive games by both sides," Burns said.
Anaheim coach Mike Babcock wore a scowl when asked how it was possible the teams could score nine goals in one game after they had been so scarce all series.
"You know, I have no idea," Babcock said.
"We didn't do a good enough job in our own zone ... they [the Devils] earned those goals."
Jamie Langenbrunner had two of New Jersey's goals and he said it was one of those nights when everything went in.
"Why the bounces went our way, it's just the way hockey is," he said. "It's how we stayed with it tonight that helped us, not just the bounces.
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