Sharks Vs. Red Wings, Game 4: Darren Helm Scores With 1:27 Left To Force Game 5

The Detroit Red Wings put up a 3-0 lead in the first period, but allowed the San Jose Sharks to come back and tie it. However, a Darren Helm goal with 1:27 left put Detroit back into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish again. The Red Wings won 4-3, putting their Western Conference Semifinal to 3-1 San Jose, with a Game 5 Sunday night at HP Pavilion in San Jose.

Todd Beruzzi had an interesting start, claiming he got slew-footed earlier in the game by a San Jose defender and getting no call, but later tallying the game’s first goal. A spin-o-rama back-hander from almost impossibly deep in the zone from the veteran forward went past San Jose goaltender Antii Niemi. It was Bertuzzi’s first goal of the series and second of the post-season to make it 1-0 Detroit at 6:22.

The Detroit Red Wings continue to attempt to stave off elimination for the second consecutive year at the hands of the San Jose Sharks. But after a late Logan Couture goal in the first period, the Sharks played better in period two, and got a goal from Dan Boyle to put the score at 3-2 after two periods in Game 4 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series at Joe Louis Arena. San Jose leads the series 3-0.

Detroit was given three power play chances in the period, after going 1-for-1 on their first period opportunity, which ended in Lidstrom’s goal. Joe Thornton went off at 5:47 for holding-the-stick, Torey Mitchell for holding at 10:58, and Dany Heatley for tripping at 14:29. Despite many chances and all the talent on the ice, Antii Niemi was superb in particular for the San Jose penalty kill. Niemi, even though he has given up three goals, has been stellar since the early barrage, making 24 saves through two periods.

Last year, an overtime loss put the Detroit Red Wings down 3-0 in a Western Conference Semifinal series to the San Jose Sharks. Last year, the Red Wings were able to force a Game 5 by winning Game 4 in Detroit. They appear to mean business about doing just that tonight, with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes over the Sharks in Game 4 of this year’s series at Joe Louis Arena.

Todd Beruzzi had an interesting start, claiming he got slew-footed earlier in the game by a San Jose defender and getting no call, but later tallying the game’s first goal. A spin-o-rama back-hander from almost impossibly deep in the zone from the veteran forward went past San Jose goaltender Antii Niemi. It was Bertuzzi’s first goal of the series and second of the post-season to make it 1-0 Detroit at 6:22.