The Detroit Red Wings scored three unanswered third-period goals and had 39 saves from goalie Jimmy Howard to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Sunday and keep their NHL playoff series alive.
Tomas Holmstrom scored the winner with 6 minutes, 8 seconds remaining in the game to cap a three-goal spurt that turned around a 3-1 deficit and send the Red Wings back to Detroit for Game 6 of the Western Conference semi-final today trailing 3-2.
“In the third we tried to get everything [we could] and it paid off,” Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall told reporters. “We weren’t scoring the pucks [early] and [goaltender Jimmy Howard] did a good job of keeping us in the game.”
Photo: AFP
In Game 4, the Red Wings needed a game-winner from Darren Helm in the final two minutes to avoid a sweep and they got yet another clutch performance to extend their season.
While San Jose holds the series advantage, the matchup could not be closer. All five contests have been one-goal games, including two overtime results.
Detroit are attempting to become only the fourth NHL team to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0, while the Sharks are looking to reach the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season.
Devin Setoguchi scored in the first period, Joe Pavelski in the second and Logan Couture early in the third to build a 3-1 lead for San Jose as they looked set to clinch the series.
However, Detroit came back with third-period goals from Jonathan Ericsson and Danny Cleary to tie the scores.
“I just tried to keep the guys as close as possible,” Howard said. “I know how deep our bench is and that we can get it done, so I wanted to keep it close. I was telling myself: ‘We have to win to move on, so just empty the tank.’”
Pavel Datsyuk, who was a doubt before the game because of a wrist injury, had three assists to spark the Detroit attack.
San Jose outshot the Red Wings 42-22 for the game yet could not find the win to close out the series. Antti Niemi finished with 18 saves for the Sharks.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a