The Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Saturday to complete a sweep of their opening two home games in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
All the scoring came in the first period.
Darren Helm wristed one over the shoulder of Stars goalie Marty Turco to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 5:56.
Stephane Robidas cashed in on a power-play opportunity about five minutes later to level, but Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg one-timed a blistering shot at 15:13 for his eighth goal of the playoffs.
The game was marked by brilliant goaltending on both sides. Detroit's Chris Osgood turned away 17 of 18 shots on goal, including a reflex kick save of a spin-around backhander sent at him in the third period by Mike Modano.
Turco saved 32 of 34 shots but the result was another frustrating setback for the Dallas netminder, whose NHL career record against Detroit in Joe Louis Arena sank to 0-9-2.
"They had fewer easy chances in front of the net. We battled harder," Stars coach Dave Tippet told reporters before abruptly leaving his news conference.
Detroit played without playoff scoring leader Johan Franz, who sat out due to concussion-like symptoms. Franzen will be examined on Monday and will not fly to Dallas for Game 3.
"We've got to get him checked out by the experts," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Meantime, we have to find a way to suck it up and win."
(Agencies via China Daily May 12, 2008)