One of the greatest songs of all time, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, was playing over the loudspeakers as the Detroit Red Wings were winning 3-2 in the last minute of the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Red Wings were in line to win their third Stanley Cup in 11 years.

But, the Penguins' Talbot tied to it with 31.3 seconds remaining.

Wow!  Talbot took all the air out of the Joe Louis Arena.  The alternating cheers of "We want the Cup" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" lyrics "...Born and Raised South Detroit..." stopped immediately.

Hockey may NOT get as much attention as it deserves but it has the best playoff format, sudden death overtime.  One shot, one mistake is the difference between raising the Cup for Detroit or extending the series to a sixth game to Pittsburgh.

After a brief intermission, Detroit was better rested as Pittsburgh had to expend lots of energy to tie the game.

Detroit had the most shots in the first overtime period but Fleury was equal to the task.  The Red Wings outshot the Penguins by almost two to one for the game.

The Penguins had a man advantage early in the second overtime but the Red Wings killed the penalty.

One of the TV announcers granted permission to his 11 and 13 year old children to stay up late as the game was over 100 minutes long.

Detroit's made a critical mistake as Hudler hit Skadery in the mouth for a four minute penalty with about ten minutes left in the third overtime.

Sykora pulled a Babe Ruth and told one of the TV announcers that he would score the winning goal.  True to his word, Sykora put the puck past Osgood to win the game and send the series back to Pittsburgh.

Posted by a Tired Tank in NY.