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Franzen fires Red Wings into semis

A LAST-MINUTE goal by Johan Franzen sealed a 6-5 victory for the Detroit Red Wings over the Columbus Blue Jackets and put the defending Stanley Cup champions into the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday.

Franzen's goal for Detroit with 46 seconds left put paid to a second-period fight-back by Columbus, after Kris Russell and Fredrik Modin each scored two minutes apart to pull the Blue Jackets even at 5-5.

"In the second half we told ourselves to keep our composure," Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom told reporters. "We knew they were going to throw everything at us and they did."

The win gave Detroit a 4-0 sweep in its best-of-seven series, and ensured its third trip to the Western Conference semifinals in as many years.

Franzen's powerplay goal was set up by a minor penalty on the Blue Jackets, who were called for having too many men on the ice.

Detroit winger Marian Hossa netted two goals in quick succession, the team's season-high scorer putting the visitors up 5-3 at 11:26 in the second.

Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood made 27 saves but let in five goals after surrendering just two in the three previous playoff matches.

While the Wings took care of business, the top-seeded San Jose Sharks were on the brink of elimination after a 0-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks put them in a 1-3 hole in the best-of-seven series.

Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller delivered 31 saves in his second shutout of the series and rookie Bobby Ryan had two goals as Anaheim moved one step closer to completing the upset.

The Sharks, who compiled the best record in the NHL during the regular season, will play to stay alive in Game 5 back in San Jose tonight.

David Clarkson, meanwhile, scored a powerplay goal to give New Jersey a 1-0 victory and a 3-2 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, as NHL career win leader Martin Brodeur made 44 saves to tie the record for postseason shutouts.

Brodeur's 23rd playoff shutout helped the Devils seal victory and take the momentum into Game 6 tomorrow.

In Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia Flyers staved off elimination with a 3-0 win over the Penguins to trail 2-3 in the best-of-seven series.

Goaltender Martin Biron had 28 saves, while Arron Asham, Claude Giroux and Mike Knuble scored a goal apiece.

"We're still down in the series," Knuble said. "All we could do was force another game in Philly. We achieved that goal, but they're going to be ready for us."

The teams head back to Philadelphia tonight for Game 6.



 

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